Murray Wins Senior Billiards Event 3

The third tournament of the Senior Billiards series was played at The Ivy Rooms Snooker Club, Carlow on Sunday, 15th of November 2015, played in 90 minute timed format. Current Billiards Double Champion Wayne Doyle (Q Club, Wicklow), having been runner up in the first two tournaments of the season, enjoyed the sweet taste of victory when he took his first tournament win of the season.

Early round eliminations were Brendan Devlin (Celbridge), James Bateman (Kilkenny), Lloyd Myers (Cork) and Aonghus McAnally (Portmarnock).

The semi finalists in the top half of the draw were Aidan Murray (Ivy Rooms) and Eugene Hughes (Baltinglass), both having had emphatic wins in their quarter final matches against Joe Doheny (Borris-in-Ossory) and Robert McCrum (Celbridge) respectively. In a well contested semi final, Aidan came from behind to take the lead with a break of 105, which he further consolidated with a break of 54 to claim his place in the final.

The semi finalists in the bottom half of the draw were John Kehoe (Enniscorthy) and Wayne Doyle (Q Club, Wicklow), John having had a solid win in his quarter final against Kilkenny veteran and six times National Champion Larry Drennan while Wayne earned his place in the semis by taking a free flowing and high scoring quarter final against Liam O’Brien (Borris-in-Ossory). In a closely contested semi final, Wayne, with a timely break of 101, took the lead from John, which he maintained to the finish.

In a closely contested final, Aidan established a lead when he scored an early break of 93. Wayne responded, reducing his deficit with a break of 61 to keep himself within striking distance of his opponent. As the game progressed, both played well, scoring freely when at the table with the lead going first one way, then the other. An emphatic break of 70, scored at a crucial point in the closing stages of the game gave Wayne a decisive lead which he was able to maintain until time was called, claiming a well deserved tournament win on the day.

The next Senior Billiards round of the season takes place at The Ivy Rooms Snooker Club, Carlow on Sunday, 31st January 2016. The format will be open draw best of three 150up. Entries will be accepted before 10.30am on the morning of the event.

The inaugural Timmy Murphy Memorial Trophy event will be held in The Ivy Rooms Snooker Club, Carlow on Sunday 29th November 2015. The format will be open draw, handicapped, 90 minutes timed. This will be a non-ranking social event to commemorate a man who was not only an accomplished proponent of the game but was also a dear friend to all involved in billiards.

The best of luck to the Irish team who travel to Northern Ireland for the annual 4 Nations Billiards International Tournament next weekend, 21-22nd November.

As always, our thanks are due to Marian Leacy for the excellent playing facilities and to all at the Ivy Rooms Snooker Club for their help on the day.

Results(all matches 400up, 90 minute time limit):

Pre-Quarters

Robert McCrum    355  -v-  214  Brendan Devlin 

James Bateman    268  -v-  324  Eugene Hughes 

Lloyd Myers    265  -v-  324  Liam O’Brien 

Aonghus McAnally    285  -v-  388  Wayne Doyle 

Quarters

Aidan Murray (Brk: 91)  370  -v-  215  Joe Doheny

Robert McCrum  286  -v-  459  Eugene Hughes

John Kehoe  321  -v-  189  Larry Drennan

Liam O’Brien  273  -v-  433  Wayne Doyle

Semi-Finals

Aidan Murray (Brk: 105, 54)  356  -v-  283  Eugene Hughes

John Kehoe  312  -v-  362  Wayne Doyle (Brk: 57, 101)

Final

Aidan Murray (Brk: 93)  239  -v-  328  Wayne Doyle (Brk: 61, 70)