The annual Billiards International North-South Challenge Tournament took place at Celbridge Snooker Club on Saturday and Sunday, 3rd and 4th May last. The format of the series, which was changed in 2009 to a system where each team of eight was divided into two groups of four, has now become standard for the series. This means that each player meets four opponents from his corresponding group, with the consequence that all benefit from the variety of the games the format provides.

The Southern team made a solid start, taking the first segment 6-2. The Northern team responded, equalling the scores by taking the next segment 6-2. The Southern team moved slightly ahead, taking the third segment 5-3. The North responded in Saturday’s final segment scoring 5 against the South’s 3, leaving the overnight scores balanced at 16-16. Having lost heavily to Northern Ireland in previous years, this was the first time since 2008 that the Southern team found themselves in real contention for the trophy.

When Sunday’s first segment was shared 4-4, we had the intriguing prospect of a very balanced tournament which might go all the way to the end. In Sunday’s second segment, however, the Northern team played very solid billiards, taking the segment 6-2 to establish a 4 point lead. The South then responded, taking the next segment 5-3 to reduce the deficit to 2 points. When the final and decisive segment was shared 4-4, this sealed the tournament result in favour of the North by a margin of 2 points.

Tournament results:

Celbridge Snooker Club are to be congratulated for the excellent playing conditions at the venue and thanks are also due to Tom, Alan and James of Celbridge Snooker Club, who prepared the tables, made the players most welcome and did so much to contribute to the success of the tournament.

Congratulations to the Northern team on a well deserved victory and commiserations to the South who, despite every effort, just failed to win back the trophy for the Home team.

Republic of Ireland Team                                                    N Ireland Team

DICK BRENNAN                                                                    KENNY CAMPBELL

JOE DOHENY                                                                          PADDY DONNELLY

WAYNE DOYLE                                                                      CHRISTIAN KIRK

LARRY DRENNAN                                                                PAUL LINDSAY

PHIL MARTIN                                                                        OLIVER McGUIGAN

AONGHUS McANALLY                                                        JOHN McINTYRE

AIDAN MURRAY                                                                   FRANK TRAINOR (Player-manager)

LLOYD MYERS                                                                      NORMAN WHALEY

BRENDAN DEVLIN (Manager)