Doyle Wins 4th Senior Billiards

The fourth tournament of the Senior Billiards series was played at The Ivy Rooms Snooker Club, Carlow on Sunday, 31st of January 2016, the format being best of three games of 150up, open draw. Current National Billiards Double Champion Wayne Doyle (Q Club, Wicklow) swept to victory in almost unstoppable form, scoring 50-plus breaks in every match and winning every match in emphatic style.

Early round eliminations were Rodney Goggins (Wexford), bowing out at the hands of Wayne Doyle and Darren Ryan (Celbridge), losing out to Kilkenny veteran Larry Drennan.

The semi finalists in the top half of the draw were Wayne Doyle (Q Club, Wicklow) and Aidan Murray (Ivy Rooms), Wayne having had a hard fought 2-1 win in the quarter finals over Larry Drennan while Aidan had a solid quarter final win over Joe Doheny (Borris-in-Ossory). The semi final was a tight well contested match in which Aidan, 1-0 down in games, came from behind’ pinching the second to force a deciding game. Wayne’s response was to up his game, taking the match in style with a decisive unfinished break of 59.

The semi finalists in the bottom half of the draw were James Bateman (Kilkenny) and John Kehoe (Enniscorthy), James having a solid quarter final win over Brendan Devlin (Celbridge) while John Kehoe survived a tight tussle in his quarter final match against Robert McCrum (Celbridge). As was the case in the top half of the draw, the semi final in the bottom half was also a closely contested match, John claiming his place in the final with a good win in the deciding game.

In a fast paced and high scoring final, John established a comfortable lead and with the scores standing at 70-29, looked poised to take the opening game in his first ever Senior Billiards final. Wayne, in response, eventually got his game together, taking the first 150 with a magnificent 122 unfinished break. Perhaps somewhat rattled by Wayne’s dramatic recovery, John had no answer to Wayne’s steady scoring in the second game, leaving him to claim a well deserved tournament win.

The next Senior Billiards round of the season takes place at The Ivy Rooms Snooker Club, Carlow on Sunday, 14th February 2016. The format will be seeded draw 400up, 90 minute time limit. Entries will be accepted before 10.30am on the morning of the event.

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 best of 3 x 150up):

Pre-Quarters

Wayne Doyle  (Brk: 70, 144unf)  150, 150  -v-  45, 8  Rodney Goggins 

Darren Ryan    140, 122  -v-  150, 150  Larry Drennan 

Quarters

Wayne Doyle  (Brk: 100, 81unf) 137, 150, 150  -v-  150, 98, 97  Larry Drennan

Aidan Murray  (Brk: 50)  150, 150  -v-  117, 115  Joe Doheny

Brendan Devlin  128, 125  -v-  150, 150  James Bateman

John Kehoe  150, 68, 150  -v-  70, 150, 104  Robert McCrum

Semi-Finals

Wayne Doyle  (Brk: 59unf)  150, 146, 150  -v-  112, 150, 82  Aidan Murray

James Bateman  140, 150, 79  -v-  150, 45, 150  John Kehoe

Final

Wayne Doyle  (Brk: 122unf)  150, 150  -v-  70, 27  John Kehoe

 Report by Brendan Devlin