Billiards Ranking Event 7 2009/2010



HANDICAP BILLIARDS

Double victory for Joe Doheny in the final tournament of the season

The seventh and final round of the Senior Billiards Handicap series was played at Carlow on Sunday, 14th of March 2010. Joe Doheny (Borris-in-Ossory) added to his current title of Intermediate Billiards Champion by taking the last tournament of the season in fine style while also gaining the ranking points needed to take the No. 1 spot in the season’s Senior Billiards Handicap rankings.

At semi final stage, the semi final in the top half of the draw was an all-Kilkenny match between regular practice partners Tommy Denieffe and Larry Drennan. Larry, having gained his place in the semi final with a convincing win over Brendan Devlin (Celbridge), continued his good form, first to overcome the points start he was giving Tommy and then to stretch his lead to 31 points when time ran out.

The semi finalists in the bottom half of the draw were Jason Keogh (Dunshaughlin) having won an extremely tight and well contested game against current No 1 in the rankings, Robert McCrum (Dublin), who was playing to retain his No 1 position and eventual winner Joe Doheny who saw off the challenge of Darren Ryan (Celbridge) in the quarter finals, including scoring the day’s high break. Jason’s winning hazard play, which he used to such good effect in the quarter final, faded somewhat in his semi final in the face of Joe’s free scoring all-round play.

The final was a classic game of free flowing billiards between two established exponents of the game. Building on the handicap difference he was given by Larry, Joe never lost his lead. Despite a rather lean patch in Joe’s play when he passed the 300 mark, Larry, although he was making inroads into the deficit, never did quite enough to be a serious threat to Joe’s position, trailing by 58 points when time was called.

Many congratulations to Joe on a well deserved tournament victory and on taking the No 1 ranking position at the end of the current season.

As always, our thanks are due to Jim Leacy for the excellent facilities at The Ivy Rooms and to Marian and staff for their help on the day.

Semi-finals
Larry Drennan 371 - 340 Tom Denieffe
Joe Doheny 400 - 356 Jason Keogh
Final
Joe Doheny 395 - 337 Larry Drennan