Newry Pool League

POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 22 Jan 2023 02:13 PM
CATEGORY : Local Sport
Newry Pool League Update. Here we are at the deciding end of the league season. The teams making top four in each Division are now confirmed. It has been a battle to the end, just to get into the top four. With teams only focusing on that and that alone. The teams that ran so close will be disappointed but can be proud of good results and helping to make each Division very competitive. In the Premier, Trainors A lost out on the last match of the season to Quarter Bar, who nearly missed the boat and put themselves in a precarious position by losing to Whitecross the week before. It all went down to the wire but the top four teams, who will play in the playoffs are, Pat Brady’s Different Strokes who gain home advantage against the aforementioned Quarter Bar. CWC A (who were put to the sword by Pats team, on the last game, and with only five players, I’m told), will play Paddy Tavey’s dark horses, Dans Bar. CWC A captain Liam Bradley, likes to analyse his opponents a little, but I’m not talking about Dans Bar, he’s not analysing Dans Bar, Liams eye is on Different Strokes, that’s who CWC A see as their only threat in the league, whether he admits that or not. Is it a foregone conclusion Different Strokes will reach the finals night and go on to lift the Premier Title? Jamie Lavelle’s Quarter Bar will play with ease and under no pressure, Different Strokes would do well not to take them lightly. Will CWC A write Paddy’s Dans team off. Well yes, they will. Are they right to? Time will tell. The First Division sees the Hustlers on top and deservedly so. They will play at home to St Monnina, who Hustlers drew with, last game of the league. A game that actually didn’t stand to mean much, and Hustlers were safely in the top two, and the only team who could have forced a playoff with Conor McQuaids Killeavey men, are the talented but somewhat erratic CWC B. CWC B, however, just managed a draw, (despite CWC B knowing McGuigans last two players down on the match sheet, where not present and unlikely to get a private jet to the match) They failed to take hold of that opportunity and lost out by two points. CWC B will be formable opponents in the Charity Cup, if they can regroup and bond a bit better, somehow I just don’t see that happening. So Hustlers will play St. Monnina, a team that in the last two seasons, have beaten Hustlers twice, all be it, the Hustlers team has changed personnel since the mentioned, Monnina wins, it will be tough this one will go to the wire. The Kileavey men will be confident and strong and if Hustlers bottle it, they will be sunk. The McGuigans team, will face Paul Murphys, Bears, with quality players in their side, Bears have been like a Boa Constrictor, keeping their head down, gliding slowly along, ready to pounce on their over confident opponents. They comfortably made the playoff but lose home advantage, but they won’t be too concerned with that, playing on a better table in McGuigans than their own, will only help players like Eugene McDermot and Garry Powell, Raphael Crummy and the Heaney’s will plot the downfall of Marty Conroys men and want to keep the match tight, hoping in the end, to deliver the final tightening crush and squeeze the life out of Skippy, Gerald and Diddles. Pat Byrne, Paul McArevy, Noel Bradley, Bud Flanagan and Seamy Rooney, will all be looking to play a big part in the match but will Marty Conroy, give a game to all the men who helped the team get to the top two spot or will he go for glory and let his star men double up on games, and play twice. It’s a hard one and everyone wants to share in the reward of playing in a match they fought hard to reach. The decision is Marty’s or will there be mutiny and Skippy demand the team sheet. The Bears will be tightly hugging the grapevine, listening out for enemy chatter, if they spot disorientation they will strike hard and leave McGuigans floundering. This time next week, we will know. The Division Two situation is actually hard to believe, before Thursday match Millvale were in the top 4, with two points in the bag through a bye in the last game, there was nothing more they could do. Foresters simply had to lose to the strong Nifty Fifty’s and lose out on fourth spot. . Ruairi Whites team simply dumped the script, beat Aidan Griffins team and leap frogged into third, dooming the Millvale men to fifth. John Magees Bosco have been the golden boys, navigating the murky waters and staying clear of any potential threats to their dominance as Division leaders. They will play Nifty Fifty’s and with a strong rivalry brooding, how this match starts and who gets the best start will probably determine the winner. Trainors B are definitely a team Bosco, Niftys and their playoff opponent Foresters will be watching closely. They have got better as the league progressed and Paddy Crimmons men will be a real tough opponent for Hugh, John, Kieran and the lads. I just can’t see Foresters winning. I have been wrong before. The Charity Cup games, which take place on the same night as the playoffs, sees Trainors A (if they can pull together after their recent top four disappointment) play Whitecross, a game Mick Feenan says is a walkover for Whitecross, the player who claims to have only lost three games this year, reckons Whitecross are far to good for Trainors A and the league table is not true of the quality in Whitecross. Micky Ohanlon reckons Micky Feenan is the best player - in the Feenan house and didn’t write Trainors (Tommy Mooney, Kieran Hanna and the two Marks along with Jim Bradley, Gus Hughes and Barry McAllister) off, saying they are a quality side but might be there for the taking as Trainors must travel. Ballyholland who have had a bad league this year have one last chance at redemption, as they face the CWC B. This is a hard one to call. Ballyholland have the players if they turn up but with Mike Nugent and Cailim McParland, Barry Kelland and Tommy Rooney among the quality players that make up the W.M team, the Ballyholland team will have their work cut out. Nans Rams will face St Monnina B and Malachy Maguire’s men should get over the line, although Pete Donnelly and Tony McGuiness will not hand them it on a plate. Dromintee face their neighbours Murphys and this will be an interesting one. Sheila Johnson and Pat Quinn will hope their top players can compete, I am not sure if Paddy McCann is available but he certainly is a match winner. Dromintee have moved forward in leaps and bounds, they missed out on a top 4 spot but put it up to a lot of teams, John Daly will be hoping Anthony Reynolds makes himself available and players like Kevin Kelly, Micheal, Ronan and John will all play a role. The reward is to reach and play in the final, a match in front of a full house on The awards Night, which will be held on Friday, April 7th in Newry Foresters. Good luck to you all. It’s all a bit of craic!
POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 16 Jan 2023 03:59 PM
CATEGORY : Local Sport
The Premier Division: Three teams have secured a place in the playoffs - Dans Bar, CWC A and Different Strokes - the last place will be decided in two weeks time when Trainors A travel to their neighbour Quarter Bar. The First Division: Hustlers have topped the League and cannot be any lower than first place, McGuigans are safe by a mile in second, Bears on 24 and two ahead of St Monnina may look safe but will need to win their last game against Nans Rams to be sure. That leaves 4th spot and down to the last game - St Monnina two ahead of CWC B with a last match against top-of-the-table Hustlers, will be keeping one eye on Cwc B who plays a safe and not concerned McGuigans. Should Hustlers win and at home CWC B, beat McGuigans, it's all level and a playoff will be required. Second Division: Bosco B are safe at top, Nifty Fiftys on 24 in second place may feel safe but if you look at third and fourth place at present, going into the last game. Trainors B are on 23 and play Murphys last game. Foresters are on 22 and play Niftys in the last game -(if Foresters were to win, they would be on equal points as Niftys) Millvale are on 21 and have a bye in the last so actually, they are on 23 and leapfrog Niftys at present. This means it all boils down to the last game and Millvale has to wait and see as they can do no more. If going on form the results go as expected - Niftys beat Foresters and Trainors beat Johnny Murphys, Millvale pick up their two points it will end - Bosco Top, Nifty Fifty second, Trainors B third and Millvale fourth - with Foresters departing!
POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 16 Jan 2023 03:56 PM
CATEGORY : Local Sport
POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 28 Oct 2022 12:25 PM
CATEGORY : Local Sport
Next week, we start the Individual competition, with every division involved. The League Table standings show Different Strokes topping the Premier by 3 clear points (24) , having won all matches, not even a draw, and are in every competition! What a team. Can anyone beat them? Hustlers from the first Division came close in the Cup but close isn't good enough. As Bernie Magee said to Kevin from Hustlers that night as the game headed to the final frame ' Are you getting excited Kevin? don't bother! This turned out to be accurate as Different class - Different Strokes, through Harvey Lavelle, brought it home. Cwc A are second on 21points and safe for the play offs, as are Paddy Taveys, Dans bar team on 18 and 6 clear of the following two teams Quarter Bar on 12 and Trainors A on 11. These two teams, Trainors and Quarter Bar, interestingly have two games left, Trainors A are at home v Ballyholland, and Quarter Bar are away to Whitecross, (going by the previous form they both should pick up 2 points and sit exactly as they are now), Quarter Bar 1 point ahead of Trainors, which leaves the final match of the league an all or nothing game. A game Jamie Lavelle knows a draw would be enough to get them into the playoffs. So Kieran Hanna, Tommy Lavelle, Mark Trainor, Mark McSherry, Paul 'Gus' Hughes and Jim Bradley with another couple of lads Collie McLaughlin and Bob Mathers who hasn't been seen in a while, at least on the score sheets, need to pull the stops out and fight out a win! Whitecross and Ballyholland are out of the playoffs but can still dictate what happens with the next two games and going by last nights cards they both were just edged out in their matches with Trainors A (Whitecross) and Dans Bar (Ballyholland). So its all still to play for! If things go to script and the two teams do draw, they will face each other a second time to see who goes through to the playoffs. The first Division sees Hustlers on top (29) to McGugans (27) and safe for the playoffs. The next three teams, Bears (22) , St Monnina A (22) and CWC B (20) are all fighting for a place in their Division playoffs. Bears face CWC B and even if they lose, still look favourite to grab third place, as they play Nans in their last game leaving the fight between Monnina A and Cwc B an interesting one. Cwc B does need to pick up two points off the Bears or McGuigans to have any chance with Monnina A playing McGuigans and Hustlers last two games, which means if Monnina loses their two games and Cwc B beat Bears they will force a playoff with Monnina A to see who gets to the last four! All very confusing but it all adds to the craic! The second Division is as tight as the first with Bosco B (26) followed by Nifty Fifty (22), Trainors B (22) Millvale and Foresters on 20 each. So who will make the play offs? Bosco look secure as do the next tow Niftys and Trainors B, the fight seems to be between Millvale and the Foresters, both level on points and pushing for that fourth place. Their two last games, Foresters play St Monnina B and the Nifty Fiftys, with Millvale at home to Trainors B and having a bye in their last. So it might all boil down to Trainors B and Millvale but that means Foresters have to beat Niftys. Time will tell. My predictions: Premier League 1. Different Strokes 2 CWC A 3 Dans 4. Quarter Bar First Division: 1. Hustlers 2. McGuigans 3. Bears 4. St Monnina Second Division: 1. Bosco B 2. Nifty Fifty 3. and 4, Play off between Millvale and Trainors B for 3rd and 4th place. Next week is the Individuals 3/11/2022 and we will try to get something wrote up before then...
POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 04 Oct 2022 09:13 AM
CATEGORY : Local Sport
Hustlers almost produced a miraculous result when the Division 1 side took  unbeaten  Premier League leaders Different Strokes to a decider in the Cunningham Cup. Little old Hustlers with seasoned campaigners Kevin Magee & Cathal McCoy have a tight camp and are shaping up nicely for promotion to the Premier Division while  Different Strokes have a 100% record with perennial winners such as Pat Brady, Paddy Clarke & Harvey Lavelle. Add in multiple South Armagh individuals winner and Irish International Paul Kelly and you have a devastating potting juggernaut! Niall McVerry has the Rolls Royce cue action but he's not always been the most consistent when the pressure is on. Willie Brown is certainly one of the players that Hustlers will have targeted, and the fluent McVerry came up trumps to put the hosts 1 - 0 up. Paddy Clarke restored parity with a sublime performance against Hustlers talisman Kevin Magee. 1 - 1. Former Trainors star player Sean Murray should fear no player and this talented cueist took out the attacking, former Newry Singles runner-up, Raymie McKenna and the Hustlers dared to dream. 2-1. Different Strokes who play out of Carrickcruppen Social Club steamed ahead taking the next 3 Pair matches to lead 4-2. 1 more frame and it was a semi-final to plan for. Paddy Clarke & Harvey Lavelle oozed class and composure when they toppled Cathal McCoy & Kevin Magee, although it went to the wire as Magees final ball cross, hugged the middle pocket but would not drop. Niall McVerry & Sean Murray had the skills but not the luck and Stephen Gorham with the youthful Bernie Magee edged it. Dee Kearney was out of sorts with Gary McLoughlin. The misfiring duo fell to Willie Brown & Paul Kelly as Different Strokes hit their groove. When Pat Brady went shopping for new talent for his team he didn't go to the Pound Store. He shopped Harrods style and acquired one of the best in the country. Paul Kelly is proper Ferrari-style shopping list stuff but it was the techno-wizard Cathal McCoy stormed to the finish line sinking the last of his yellows and a pressure black and it was game on. 4-3. Tucker Hughes realistically had no chance against Pat Brady. A betting man would be looking very long odds on an upset but the joy of pool and especially 1 framer - it gives the outsiders a chance. Tucker was in superb form and after some brilliant pool he stunned the traveling Different Strokes and the Premier Division leaders were looking down the barrel of their 1st defeat of the season. 4-4. It was all down to the wire as Dee Kearney and Harvey Lavelle would battle it out for a place in the last 4. Harvey had the harder ball set and Damien looked like he was all set for a famous victory against his ex-Armagh teammate. Hustlers held their breath as Dee's cue action started to twitch and boy did it twitch. It was a pressure cooker time and just when you needed a calm head, Kearney imploded and Lavelle was on hand to mop up for a highly uncomfortable 5-4 win for Different Strokes.  The Premier side will know they dodged a bullet and will be well glad to see the back of this formidable Hustlers side. Different Strokes will be joined by CWC A, Indo, and Trainors A in the semi-final draw.
POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 20 Sep 2022 04:36 PM
CATEGORY : Local Sport
Just a quick message to update you on the latest with Newry Pool League. The League has reached halfway. we have already had our first games of the second half and a lot is taking shape. In the Premier League, Different Strokes are like a different team. Yet to register a loss or even a draw for that matter, they really are a top-class team. Will anyone beat them this year? On Thursday coming they face Trainors A. A hard task for Trainors made harder with them traveling across the road to 'Cruppen and the lion's den. Top four in the Premier League is not yet a forgone conclusion, as Diff. Strokes top the league followed by CWC. A, three points behind and the brilliant Dans Bar team who have some top players, coming next. The battle for fourth seems to be between Jamie Lavelles Quarter Bar and Kieran Hannas, Trainors A - hard to call but Jamie has the edge at the moment. Whitecross, Ballyholland have not matched the others but to their credit, they are hanging in there and remember are playing a higher standard than all the 18 teams below them. The first Division is a real race, with McGuigans topping the league and probably favourites, with Gerard McGuigan, Marty Conroy, Skippy Morgan, and Pat Byrne their live wires and also not to forget Damian Bud Flanagan, who has pulled them out of a few holes this year. Hustlers are just behind McGuigans and although a good team, they have lost to two of the middle of the table teams and will be a bit wary of the coming games. With players like Niall McVerry, Kevin Magee, and Sean Murray, they are a formable outfit and not many will be looking to play them if they make the playoffs. Bears, Cwc b, and Monnina A are all fighting close behind and when the top four is decided, someone is going to just lose out by a few points. Expect the pressure to grow as the remaining fixtures are fulfilled. The Divison two race is very close as well but John Magees Bosco B is still unbeaten in the league and ahead by four on the very good Millvale. Nifty Fifty and Foresters along with Trainors B are all shouting for a place in the top four! Talking about the top four. The team that tops their Division will play the fourth-placed team and the team that comes second will play the third-placed team, with the higher-placed teams getting home advantage for the semi-final. The committee has decided, with help and sponsorship from Newry Foresters, to have a finals night in which the three division finalist will play off all on the same night, in the Foresters. That's six of the top teams in their respective Divisions, battling it out for their League Title. This same night, the awards for other winners will be presented and we hope to make it an enjoyable night for all. Please download the latest App from the Apple or play store - search for ‘Newry Pool League’ and enjoy your pool. Best Regards, The Pool Committee If anyone wants added to the Pool whatsapp group just reply.
POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 06 Jul 2022 02:24 PM
CATEGORY : Local Sport
Three-man Pool Competition on Thursday 4th and 11th August. Maximum players per team - 4 (minimum required to play games is 3 people) cost of entry £15 per team of three - 4th player an extra £5. Rules - 6 games - no player can play more than 2 unless it is 3-3 at end of 6 frames - then a deciding frame which will be played as a scotch doubles pairs game. All games 20 minutes then black ball fight. 1 minute rule applies. Results posted APP. Venues and more information after final number of teams are available after the closing date of August 1st. All player must be registered Newry Pool League players and all teams must come from players out of your own team.
POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 14 Apr 2022 02:54 PM
CATEGORY : Blog
The first League fixtures are over and it's too early to discern who will win their respective divisions. Whitecross gave the Newry League newbies, Keady Sharks a run for their money in what was a close game. Keady came out on top at 7 to 5 and Micky Ohanlon, Martin O'Callaghan, and Alan Burke are thinking of turning their minds to cutting silage and spreading the dung because there is no joy in coming out on the losing side in the pool when you think you have it won. It was tit for tat from the start, one game to Whitecross, one to Keady, right up until game number 7, because after Martin O'Callaghan won for 'Cross, leaving them ahead, with a score 4 to 3, they didn't think they would get pulled back by Keady. They did and out of the next 5 Games, only Micky O'Hanlon won for 'Cross. Shane McQuillan twice, Gerry Finnegan, Noel Vallely, and Captain Eddie McCallion took the points home and put the disastrous result against Different Strokes in the Cup behind them. Whitecross needs the two Phelans back to just get them over the line, with the rest of Whitecross players more than fit for a top 4 finish. Different Strokes, had an impressive win against Ballyholland, winning 10 to 2 with just Jim McMahon and Robbie White winning for the Ballyholland men. Different Strokes led by Pat Brady as captain have signed top players, rumour has it Pat paid all the transfer money and flys them in every week, landing on Carricruppen football field with a Chinook after picking up his players from Drogheda and Dundalk and making a dash for the border. The heat is on between CWC A and Different Strokes to see who will win the Premier - the question is, can any of the local pub team lads put a spanner in the works. Only time will tell and on the look of the first two games played, Different Strokes are a serious force and it is rumoured Liam Bradleys CWC A are not looking forward to playing them. We received a request to allow Declan Brennan to play 6 times, this was turned away immediately. Ballyholland need to regroup and understand that Pats team, is not the standard they will face every week. Different strokes won with Willie Brown, Stephen Gorham, Harvey Lavelle, Pat Brady, Paul Kelly, and Paddy Clarke. Jim McMahon and Robbie white, smiled the whole way home when they took a game of Harvey Lavelle and Paddy Clarke, respectively. Trainors A lost 5 to 7 to Paddy Taveys Dans Bar. The game was a derby game and could have gone either way. Dans stalled after getting into a 4 to 1 lead but this was only temporary as Oran Keenan and Paddy Tavey got them to 6 - 2. It was there that Trainors showed a bit of bottle and narrowly lost out on a draw, with valiant efforts from Jamie Lavelle, Mark Trainor, and Jim Bradley left them one short. The other winner for Trainors was Tommy Mooney who won twice. Both teams have good player but the question now is, with Jamie Lavelle now forming his own team (Quarter Bar) is that going to be to the loss of Trainors A? Only time and a few more games will tell.
POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 27 Mar 2022 07:05 PM
CATEGORY : Blog
The Divison 1 is certainly a bit of an unknown, with a few teams who could claim they will be there are thereabouts at the end of the season but let us look at the favourites and the potential party poopers. McGuigan's on paper does look like the favourites, with Marty Conroy, Gerard McGuigan, Skippy Morgan, and Diddles McArdle all veteran players along with Pat Byrne and Paul McArevy. They are certainly going to be hard to beat. Hustlers are up next and they too look strong in a few players but have not filled their full quota of players. Maybe this was a tactic (only have seven players signed) that allows players a double chance on the night by being almost sure of two games. Sean Murray, Niall McVerry, and Kevin Magee are strong players but they will need the others to step up and pull them through if they want a realistic shot at the title. Bears is next up for analysis and they shout consistency on every level. Neil Heaney, Dermot Lonergan, Eugene McDermott, Raph Crummy will be ably assisted by Paul Murphy and co and definitely will not be afraid of McGuigans are any other would-be potential winner. The newly formed Magees bar, is another to watch with Stevie Noades and Paul Tuite, the stand out names, other names like Lowry and co are lesser-known but be sure the captain Garry Boyle will be shrewd with his choices and people like Anthony Morgan and himself can change the way a game is panning out. Dromintee has entered and again just needs to be seen and played against to see how good they are. John Daly leads them with Ant Reynolds and Connor McCormack confident on results. Bosco A with Eamon Hurley, Damien Brady, and Seany McCaul along with the super steady player, Darren Devlin will definitely be in the running, the unknown being the others in their team can blow hot and cold or just not turn up. Nans have a full squad and the wizard Andrew Chan is balanced with the smart and wiley Mark Pentony. Another great couple of players are, of course, Pat McClenaghan and Mal Maguire, Seamus Morgan, no walkover either, so Nans will be making a push for silverware as long as they don't fold in on themselves. St Monninas with the veteran Tommy McGuiness and the slick Mark Shevlin is well supported by Connor McQuaid and Mickey Teggart and their hammering of Hustlers last year confirmed they are not in it just for the craic, they can make the play offs. CWC B plays out of one of the Premiership big gun pool venues and Tommy Rooney, Emmett McParland the two Kelland brothers but more importantly Mike Nugent (a top player) will be gunning to win the lot! There are a lot of good teams and whoever gets the run of the balls and that bit of luck, will be in with a shout. Every team has top players but it's winning on the night that counts and that boils down to concentration, teammate support, and taking the right shot when the chips are down. When you go through the names and the make-up of the teams, past results stand for little, and any one of the nine could be winners at the end of the league. McGuigan's may feel it's in the bag but every other team is knocking on the door! It's not over til the fat lady sings! Next up is Division two...
POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 27 Mar 2022 11:43 AM
CATEGORY : Blog
Newry Pool is back up and running and there are three divisions. The Premier will once again be dominated by the big two CWC A and Different Strokes. D.F is now playing out of Cruppen Club and will definitely fancy themselves for the title. However, there is a quiet confidence among the new Trainors team playing out of Dans that not only will they be nobodys whipping boys, but with a fortress of a home venue and some sharp players like Tommy Mooney, Jamie Lavelle, and Ciaran Hanna to name just a few, they can steal the winner's trophy and bring it back to South Armagh. Now, with the eventual winner of the league being decided by a four way play off (fourth plays first, third plays second) every team has a chance! Paddy Tavey and co with their Dans team will also be nobodys fools and the favourites will have to be at their best to get the vital points. Ballyholland may feel a wee bit out of their depth but they have a couple of seasons under their belt and their players are good enough to beat any other player on their day. Whitecross again have the ability but will the Phelans be there to give the team a chance? So then there is a team we didnt mention. It is Keady sharks. Keady Sharks are led from the front by captain supreme and Newry Individual winner, Eddie McGaughey but apparently, the talent he has with him will blow the other Newry favourites out of the water. Time will tell but remember the fact a team can make it to fourth and then go on to win the Division should scare all the big boys! We will update the first and second division next and give a run down of the teams and the potential winners and losers...
POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 18 Nov 2019 11:19 PM
CATEGORY : Blog
It took a last gasp nail biting finish from Bernie Magee to keep Different Strokes in touch with leaders CWC A. Different Strokes led 5-3 against a strong TJ's A Tristy Byrne and Sean McDonald levelled the match at 5-5 with two games to play. Harvey Lavelle recovered from losing the frame before to put CWC 6-5 up with a comfortable win over long time former team mate Paul 'Bunty' O'Callaghan. Bunty has struggled to get going this season and has tasted defeat far too often for a man of his stature and ability in the game. It came down to Bernie Magee taking on old foe Stevie Noade. These two have been going toe to toe for over two decades. Corrinshego/Cue Club, Corrinshego/TJ's, CWC/TJ's these great rivals have played in the teams that have dominated Newry Pool for a generation. Stevie Noade had a couple of seasons playing full Blackball rules in the mini league while it's fair to say Bernie Magee had a personal season to forget in 2018/19. Noade would have started slight favourite to claim the draw. It was a scrappy frame and it suited the tactical Magee better. The Different Strokes anchor man held his nerve to bag the 2 points and stay within 3 points of leaders CWC A with a game in hand. TJ's A are now 6 points adrift with the same amount of games played as the leaders. How they badly need Manny Byrne back as a matter of urgency. CWC A bounced back from their shock defeat in the Vegas Cup to Banbridge. The result is pending a protest by CWC for an alleged illegal player on Banbridge side. CWC had no such problem away to Ballyholland. Colm Shields defeated Laurence McAlinden to take the opener but Kieran McMahon, (x2), Declan McMahon and 2 more wins from Jack Courtney fired the visitors into a 6-1 lead. Jack Courtney smashing home his 2nd break finish in 3 matches. Giby Vettiankal stunned Kieran McMahon to stall the league leaders but it didn't take much longer to wrap up the points as Laurence McAlinden made up for his earlier defeat to wrap up the win. Robbie White then Giby Vettiankal with his 2nd win of the night reduced the arrears for Ballyholland. Cwc A won the final frame of the night to round off a comprehensive 8-4 win for the league leaders. Whitecross are looking out of their depth in this new look Blackball league. The current Premier Division Cup holders have re-signed Martin O'Callaghan but he has yet to inspire his new team to a win. Michael Feenan took the opener for Whitecross but it was he that lost out to Sean McArdle who levelled for Banbridge. Noel Meara defeated the aforementioned Marty O'Callaghan to give the visitors an early lead. Gareth McCann ended his barron spell to level for 'The Cross'. Davy Hanna, Adrian Annett and the impressive Oran Keenan to charge for the Players Lounge, Banbridge and the visitors now had an ominous 5-2 lead. The Phelan twins Shane and then Cathal showed Whitecross a touch of class by winning back to back frames to pull it back to 5-4. Adrian Annett with his 2nd win on the night inflicted a 2nd defeat on Alan Burke for 6-4. Marty O'Callaghan gave Whitecross hope of a draw when made sure Niall Connolly would take home a brace of defeats. At 6-5 it was down to Brian O'Neill and Oran Keenan for battle out the final frame. Oran Keenan had already beaten Mickey O'Hanlon earlier but that is nothing to get excited about. Keenan is enjoying a fine season so far and he outclassed O'Neill to take the points home for Banbridge. Whitecross remain at the foot of the table, the only side yet to win a league game in the Premier Division. Congratulations Orchard Bar on picking up their 1st points of the season in an early season relegation 4-pointer against fellow strugglers Windmill Bar. It was an amazing match with both teams going tit-for-tat up to 4-3 Orchard. When Orchard went 5-3 then 6-3 Windmill just couldn't claw the game back. The match finished 7-5 Orchard Bar. At the top of the league McGuigan's took a huge step towards promotion with a fine win over closest rivals Bears. Captain Martin Conroy got the ball rolling when he got the 1st of his two in the nights opener. Bears came roaring back when the took the next 3 frames on the spin. Diarmuid Lonergan, Garry Powell and Neil Heaney put the visitors in the driving seat. Noel Bradley, Marty Conroy, Pat Byrne and Nicky Langton took command taking the next 4 to fire McGuigan's back into a lead 5-3. Seamus Keenan hadn't thrown in the towel and this was looking like it could go to the wire at 5-4. Gerard McGuigan and then Nicky Langton ended the Bears dream of leapfrogging McGuigan's to summit of Division 1. Instead McGuigan's now enjoy a 3 point lead. Neil Heaney took the final frame of the night for Bears but it was too little too late. Final score McGuigan's 7-5 Bears --
POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 04 Jul 2019 09:20 PM
CATEGORY : Blog
CWC A v Trainor's A! What a game to finish the season with. Friday night has now become a massive event for both teams. The league Champions CWC will be hurting after their shock Divisional Cup defeat to Whitecross. For Trainor's it's a chance to save a season that promised so much but delivered so little. The Vegas Cup will be a welcome addition to either the CWC or Trainor's Bar and what a final this promises to be for all pool fans Destination Newry will be Streaming the final live at the Indo with commentary from the knowledgeable Cathal McCoy. The front bar holds a great table favoured by all the top pros and this will suit attacking players. This could well turn out to be a pot-fest. Match Preview Trainor's led the Premier Division up until their fall from grace shortly after Christmas. They took a hammering from champions elect CWC and that shattered the Camlough side before they drifted out of contention. CWC dumped Trainor's from the Cunningham Cup which also sucked the confidence right out of the challengers. This is now a chance of redemption. Trainor's Bar captain Niall McVerry knows he was a few players short of challenging for the title but they certainly have the players to beat CWC on Friday night. CWC were missing their captain Pat Brady when they lost out to Whitecross in the Divisional Cup Final. It was obviously a massive boost for Whitecross and Trainor's Bar will be cursing their luck on his return to the baize. CWC will be out to prove they are a different proposition with their talisman Brady. He is the gel that sticks this team together and strikes fear not only in opposition players but also his team mates. Picking the two teams will be a tough job for both captain's. We'll take a look at the possible line-ups. For Trainor's Eddie McCaughey is likely to be playing in the Pairs. He's won with James O'Hagan before but he could possibly partner Sean Murray. McCaughey is likely to be up 1st no matter who he's with. Seamus McVerry and Dad Jimmy McVerry would be sensible partners in the doubles but Niall McVerry sometimes prefers Seamus Graham. The Father and Son duo were only an inch away from booking their place in this year's Pairs final but Graham is favourite for the nod probably playing 2nd or 3rd on Friday night. Will Niall McVerry give the whole squad a run out or go for the jugular and play his best possible team? Paddy Tavey will almost certainly be the 1st singles player on the baize for Trainor's but he and the captain would be hard to beat if the were up 3rd in the Pairs. If McVerry goes for the squad game then Noel Bradley will get a run out. Bradley would partner James O'Hagan or else Sean Murray. More likely it would be Murray though with O'Hagan and McCaughey paired 1st. Paddy Tavey will play 1st in the singles as mentioned earlier. Niall McVerry is a cert for the singles along with Eddie McCaughey. Seamus McVerry will play in or around 7th. James O'Hagan would be difficult to leave out of the singles. He did have a torrid season but his form improved very late in the spring and really has to play. If O'Hagan plays then Liam Bradley would be likely to play 9th. The duel player had an excellent season and would have to be in the team. That could mean Dee Kearney would have to settle for a spot on the bench. If O'Hagan plays only in the doubles then Kearney will be the anchor man. CWC won't want to be trailing coming out of the Pairs like they did in their final against Whitecross. In saying that CWC may play a similar team to the one that faltered in the Divisional final. Pat Brady will have to decide if he will come into the Pairs. If he does he could drop Harvey Lavelle or Bernie Magee. Chances are he'll go with the status quo and play Lavelle and Magee. Paddy Clarke and Seamus McGeoghegan's winning partnership could be under pressure. Pat Brady pairing with Clarke would be an awesome duo. Kieran McMahon and Terry McNally would be hard to separate after winning this year's Pairs title together. These two you can bank on playing 3rd. Kieran McMahon is usually the 1st up in the singles followed by their back to back individuals champion Paddy Clarke. This is where the change will happen. Pat Brady will play the 6th frame of the evening. Terry McNally will drop to 7th and Raymie McKenna 8th. With McGeoghegan possibly losing out to Brady in the Pairs he would be 9th like so many trophy winning nights before. These match-ups are dependant on both captain's having their full squad to choose from. What a night of pool this should be. The Indo will be packed to the rafters in this splendid venue of Newry Pool. The table will be leveled and ironed for the clash of the titans and the players are going to treat us to thrilling skilful night of exquisite pool. The presentation night will commence straight after the Vegas Cup final so get the teeth whitened and your best smile on for the Newry Deomcrat photo's in the climax to another superb year of Pool. From Newry Pool league
POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 23 Jun 2019 07:56 PM
CATEGORY : Blog
Whitecross stunned Premier Division league Champions CWC A to win the Divisional Cup Final. Prior to this game pool pundits said there was more chance of Shergar winning the 2020 Grand National than Whitecross had of beating CWC to the chequered flag. The 2018 quadruple winners CWC finished the league campaign a staggering 15 points clear of their South Armagh counterparts. CWC won twice as many league games as 'The Cross'. 18 wins to 9. CWC lost just 1 single match - To Bears. Whitecross lost 7 of their 21 league games. CWC's frame difference was +64 while Whitecross were in the negative at -6. Those were damning facts but the league doesn't tell the whole story. Whitecross thrashed Premier Division runner​'s​-up and long time leaders Trainor's A 8-1 in this cup in the 1st round. Trainor's were hot favourite's after thrashing Whitecross only a few weeks earlier. Bears fancied their chances of upsetting Whitecross in the semi-final despite being in a relegation battle. Whitecross cruised into the final at 5-0 and finishing 6-2. The Divisional Cup sponsor's Trainor's Bar was proving a happy hunting ground for Whitecross. CWC beat Nan's Rams 6-3 and convincingly beat Orchard 7-2 in their semi-final to set up this final. The team news was also favourable to Whitecross as the legendary CWC A captain Pat Brady was going to miss the match due to being on holidays. Kieran McMahon was also a doubt before the game due to a​n Infected big toe​. Whitecross reported a clean bill of health with a full squad for captain Shane Phelan to choose from. Whitecross knew only too well they needed a good start if they were to stand any chance of giving CWC a run for their money. Shane Phelan could have opted for Pairs runner-up duo Michael Feenan and Mickey O'Hanlon but Gavin Malone was given the nod after their heroics in earlier cup matches. Malone providing the tactics and Feenan the potting. They would face two time Pair's champion Harvey Lavelle who picked Bernie Magee as his partner. The Whitecross Pair play with confidence and a shortage of that fear factor with a touch of class put the South Armagh lads 1-0 up. Shane Phelan is a 2018 Pairs champion and his chosen Partner was 2019 Pairs runner-up Mickey O'Hanlon. Bags of experience there, taking on 2 times and current individuals champion Paddy Clarke with the tactical Seamus McGeoghegan. Clarke and McGeoghegan were too good they levelled the match 1-1. Cathal Phelan and Brian O'Neill had the unenviable task of beating this year's Pairs champions Terry McNally and Kieran McMahon. Phelan had a dreadful start to the season but has improved immeasurably at the turn of the year. Brian O'Neill has been like a new signing for Whitecross this year but surely beating the Doubles champions would be beyond their wildest dreams. Sometimes dreams do come true and incredibly the Pairs champions got humbled by Phelan and O'Neill and Whitecross came out the Pairs leading 2-1. This was the season Michael Feenan finally showed the pool world what he is capable of. The Tornado left a trail of destruction especially in the 1st half of the season and reaching the final of the Pairs should be just the start for him. Feenan came up against an inspired Kieran McMahon though, who showed the young gun how to clear up in style to level the scores at 2-2. Cathal Phelan v Paddy Clarke was the match-up of the night. Both are clearly their teams best player. The former team mates ooze quality but the current back to back individuals champion Clarke was the obvious favourite to put CWC into the lead for the 1st time. It was the frame that arguably put that seed of doubt in the CWC minds as the brilliant Phelan kept his cool to fire Whitecross 3-2 in front. Alan Burke was in trouble against Raymie McKenna. Burke has had a good solid season and is a big game player. It was looking like McKenna had the frame in the bag but when he potted the black the white inexplicably rolled into the pocket and Burke had stolen the frame for 4-2 Whitecross. Whitecross captain Shane Phelan had the chance to make history and win these boys their 1st ever Newry Pool league top flight trophy. A few seasons ago Whitecross lost two finals in a month and the following season lost another final. The country lads are used to being the bridesmaid but never the bride. Could Phelan go down in folklore and secure the Premier Division Cup? The legendary Harvey Lavelle stood in his way. Lavelle has it all. Potting, safety, tactics, positional play and bottle by the bucket load are just some of his attributes. Phelan has been a key player for Whitecross this past couple of seasons capping it off with the 2018 Pairs title. He also won our blog player of the season last year. He was in a tense battle with Lavelle. Phelan saw his chance and rolled home the final few colours to leave a pressure black to the middle for the title. Years and years of untold hurt of Whitecross players rested firmly on his shoulders. Could Phelan handle the pressure? You bet he could! Shane Phelan stroked home the black with aplomb to the ecstatic delight of his Whitecross team mates. It was a fantastic win for Whitecross. So many times they have been to the well but came home dry. Now, at long last they can look forward to a team photo with a trophy in their grasp. Gareth McCann missed out on his game with Terry McNally and a possible showdown between Joseph McTaggart and Seamus McGeoghegan was averted thanks to Shane Phelan. Congratulations to Whitecross and ​hard luck CWC A.​😂
POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 26 Apr 2019 11:06 AM
CATEGORY : Local Sport

 

              Newry Pool League Vegas Cup

                                                                        Semi/Finals

              Being Played Thursday 2nd May

                 

1. Bears v Cwc A @Independent

2. Hustlers v Trainors A  @Bellinis

 

POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 01 Apr 2019 08:27 PM
CATEGORY : Blog

 

 


One more point is all CWC A need to retain their Premier Division title. They will travel to McGuigan's on the back of a hard fought 5-3 victory over Bears and  will know that their title winning champagne will taste all the sweeter after being given a decent run for their money from Trainor's.

Trainors demolished already relegated Nan Rice's 7-1. Sean Murray, Paddy Tavey, cptn Niall McVerry, Seamus Graham and Damien Kearney took the 1st 5 frames to blitz Nan's to the points without reply. James O'Hagan lost out to Leigh McAlinden for a consolation frame for the visiting Nan's.
Noel and Liam Bradley made sure it would be a miserable trip home from South Armagh for Nan's when they took the final two frames for 7-1.

CWC A aren't easing up but Bears gave them a good game Thursday night. This could turn into a memorable season for Bears as they are in the semi-final of two cups.
Paddy Clarke kicked off the night for CWC with win over Ralph Crummy. Kieran McMahon doubled the lead when he beat Cup hero Neil Heaney.
Bears are facing the relegation trap door for the 2nd season in a row but they showed great belief in coming back to take the next two frames to level.
Garry Powell and Diarmuid Lonergan showing their quality to beat Terry McNally and then Raymie McKenna.
Bernie Magee isn't having his best season ever but he does relish a good pressure game and it was the tactical legend that put CWC back on track. Pat Brady played a captains role to make it 4-2 as CWC looked to ease to the points. Seamus Keenan and Paul Murphy dumped to the CWC pair.
Adrian Holman caused a big shocked when he edged Harvey Lavelle with an array of superb pots to make it 4-3. Now Bears could dream of a point that would give them a 2 point cushion over fellow relegation struggles Hustlers.
Seamus McGeoghegan and Eugene McDermott have witnessed uncountable night where their teams have clashed for major trophies. Although this match didn't hold the same importance as some of their previous encounters it was still a very intriguing match-up. Both players have failed to recapture their glory days form of yesteryear but over the years McGeoghegan undoubtedly picked up the more silverware. No point changing the habit of a lifetime and it was the knowledgeable Seamus McGeoghegan that held his nerve to take both points home for CWC and they are now only 1 point from Premier Division glory.

Division 1 has long been one of the most fascinating Divisions for long many a year. Three teams - Ballyholland 24pts, St. Monnina A 23pts and Windmill 22pts are all fighting it out to be champions. No. 7 Duke Street 20pts and Johnny Murphy's 19pts are still in the promotion hunt with all teams having played 17 of their 20 games.

All eyes will be on St. Monnina A v Windmill which will be played this coming Thursday. 2nd v 3rd in this title race is a must not lose for both teams. Windmill are 2pts adrift of leaders Ballyholland and a defeat will surely end their dreams of taking the title. The Saints have home advantage and a win for them would almost guarantee a promotion and a straight fight between them and Ballyholland.

Ballyholland travel to Johnny Murphy's in another massive game. Murphy's need a lot of results to go their way but the mathematically they have an outside chance of promotion if they win their final 3 games. A win for Murphy's would also do neighbour's St. Monnina a massive favour. The Saints could leap frog Ballyholland into top spot if they win and Ballyholland lose.

No. 7 Duke Street have a chance to move up to 22pts if they can win against Forester's. Forester's have been a bit hit and miss all season but on their day can and have taken points from the top teams. No. 7 have home advantage so Forester's will be travelling to the coast in the search of 2 points. No. 7 will need to win their remaining 3 games to have any chance of bringing Premier Division pool to Warrenpoint.

Ballyholland trailed CWC B 3-2 but their unnerving ability to claw out results is one of the reasons their sitting top of the league. Amazingly they give away a 14 frame difference to 2nd placed St. Monnina. That is incredible but it shows they've been grinding out a lot of 5-3 wins.
Calium McParland beat Gerard McAvoy in his typical outrageous potting style for 1-0 CWC B.
Colm Sheepy Shields levelled before master tactician Kevin McGovern gave the Harps a 2-1 lead. Tommy Rooney and Brendan Healy beaten.
Emmet McParland levelled and former McGuigan's star Brian Campbell caused a stir when they gave the visitors a 3-2 lead and Ballyholland football club were looking a bit shell shocked. Jim McMahon and Manny Kelly the victims.
Giby Vettiankal is having another fantastic season and he levelled at 3-3 when he ousted Kieran Cunningham.

The brilliant Niall McQuillan beat Barry Kelland and the game swung back in Ballyhollands' favour at 4-3

The points were in the bag and top spot secured thanks to Brendan Keenan. He held his nerve against the talented but maybe over attacking Chris Cunningham

 

POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 29 Mar 2019 07:49 PM
CATEGORY : Local Sport

 

                               Newry Pool League Individuals Last 32

                                   Sponsored By  Destination  Newry

                                   Being Played Down To The Last 16

                                              Thursday 23rd May

                  Last 16 Finals Night Being Played Thursday 30th May

                      

 

1.     James O’Hagan (Trainors A)  v Terry Mc Nally (CWC A)

2.     Eddie Mccaughey  (Trainors A) v Pat Byrne (Mc Guigan)

3.     Gary Powell (Bears) v  Colm Mc Cann  (Millvale)

4.     Michael Teggart (St Monnina A) v Kieran McMahon (CWC A)

5.     PJ McDaniels (Orchard v Thomas McGuinness (St Monnina A)

6.     Brian O’Neill (Whitecross)  v Jim McMahon (Ballyholland) 

7.     Paddy Clarke (CWC A)  v Martin White (John Murphys)

8.     Shane McAllister (Hustlers)  v Cathal Mc Coy (McGuigans)

9.     Cathal Phelan (Whitecross)  v Colm Shields (Ballyholland)

10. Pat Brady (CWC A)  v Ralph Crummy (Bears)

11. Kieran Cummins (Bosco) v Seamus McVerry (Trainors A)

12. Seamus Keenan (Bears)  v Gerard Mc Guigan (McGuigans)

13. Liam Bradley (Trainors A) v  Raymond McKenna  (CWC A)

14. Michael O’Hanlon (Whitecross) v Martin Conroy  (McGuigans)

15. Damien Kearney (Trainors A)  v Cailum Mc Parland (CWC B)

16.Shane Phelan (Whitecross)  v Seamus Mc Geoghegan (CWC A)

 

       All Games Will Be Decided with the best of 5 frames from this round on

                   Until the final which will be the best of 7 frames 

 

POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 20 Mar 2019 07:12 PM
CATEGORY : Blog

 

 


Is the dream all over for Trainor's Bar?
Just like St Patrick drove the snakes to the tide, CWC A seem's to have swept the Trainor's challenge into similar oblivion. Since CWC caned their nearest rivals  last month Trainor's have drawn  with Hustlers, Orchard Bar and now Bears. In between that run Whitecross hammered them 8-1 in the Divisional Cup in one of the shock results of the season.
The South Armagh pub are now  4 points adrift of CWC with only 3 league games to go. 2nd place is virtually guaranteed to be their final position after leading the title chase for 3/4's of the season.
The pressure will now be on Trainor's captain Niall McVerry to deliver at least a place in the final of the either the Cunningham Cup or Vegas Cup.
This team promised so much but the reality is they might just deliver very little.
CWC edged out Nan's 5-3 and that virtually assured them the league title.

At the bottom of the table Nan's Rams have slipped through the relegation trap door. We did a bit of a preview of this inevitable exit two weeks ago but Micky Cunningham didn't print it. Not to worry, we've enjoyed having them in the Premier Division and they will probably feel they didn't do themselves justice. No doubt they will be strong contenders in Division 1 next season with the likes of Stephen Sherry, Mal Maguire, Leigh McAlinden, Pat McClenaghan and Andrew Chan. They are all deadly potters and they will be better equipped should they get to the top Division again.

The race to avoid the other relegation spot is going to be a right Royal scrap. Hustlers on 13 points and Bears on 14 points are the main protagonists. McGuigan's are are further 2 points ahead of Bears and are not out of the woods yet.
Mathematically Orchard Bar on 17 points could still get relegated but it looks more likely they will be fighting it out with Whitecross for that 3rd place spot behind Trainor's and CWC.
Orchard came from 4-2 down to claim a draw in Whitecross. The draw still gives Whitecross a 2 point advantage on 19 and they are favourites to claim 3rd place.

In Division 2 Windmill put the spider in amongst the fly's when they beat Ballyholland two weeks ago. In a brilliantly enthralling Division Windmill went top despite only drawing with No. 7 Duke Street. Ballyholland bounced back from the Windmill defeat to beat and leapfrog St. Monnina into 2nd place. The Saints dropped from 1st to 3rd.
Had No. 7 beat Windmill 3 teams would have been joint 2nd but with games running out one more slip up from any of the top four could mean curtains to their title bid.
Windmill are only top on score difference which will mean nothing at the end of the season. They have a game extra played so Ballyholland still have the title in their own hands.

 

POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 15 Mar 2019 11:31 AM
CATEGORY : Blog

 

 

Nifty Fifty are cruising to the chequered flag with all credible contenders now dropping like they've been hit by a Kane Tucker left hook. The Nifty boys are 10 points clear of joint 3rd placed Bosco B and Saint Monnina B. 1 more point will see them promoted. With Division 1 status virtually secured it's the winners trophy they're after now.

With Millvale losing Nifty Fifty opened up a surely unassailable 7 point lead at the top of Division 2. Nifty Fifty have only lost 1 league game all season and only drew 2 so the chances of a complete collapse are extremely slim.

Millvale do have a game in hand but even if they close the gap to 5 they know 2nd place would be a more realistic achievement. With players like Colly McCann, Killian McDonnell, Benny Hoey and Ryan Diamond (when he can go) the talent is there to be more competitive. Getting thrashed 6-2 at home against Dan's Rebels is unacceptable if your chasing trophies.

Gareth Treanor and Brendan McAllister lost for Nifty Fifty last Thursday and left the Forester's side chasing a 2-0 deficit. Matty O'Brien and Ryan Gray dreamt the run away leaders could actually be stopped in their tracks for TJ's C.
Mark Fleming has been solid but losing the week before against Dan's Rebels was a wake up call. He fired Nifty Fifty back into the match with a good win over Shane Durnin. 2-1.
Robbie Loughran will relish Division 1 next season and he levelled on the night when he beat Ethan Doyle. 2-2.
Damian McArdle realised a long time ago that Division 2 pool could be a level too high for him. He suffered yet another defeat and his Nifty team were trailing 3-2. Adam Carroll the latest to educate 'Diddles' McArdle.
Aidan Griffin will surely be up for a captain of the year award with a string of brilliant performances. He tied the match after 6 frames when he beat the hapless Jamie Heaney. 3-3.
John Little is a giant among men. Well not all his results prove this but I've been waiting all season to type that! He put Nifty 4-3 up when he beat the steady Nathan Crudden. Now Nifty Fifty could get ready to start the party.
Chris McKeown landed the knockout blow for Nifty Fifty and TJ's C were out on their feet when Jake Tucker was beaten.

Dont Forget Thursday 21st March Its The Pairs To Be Played 1 Winner From Each Table. Thanks

POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 08 Mar 2019 08:32 PM
CATEGORY : Local Sport

 

                                   Newry Pool League Divisional Cups

                                                   Quarter/Finals 

                                 Results Played Tuesday 12th March                                                      

Premier Division Sponsored By Trainors Bar Camlough

Nan’s Rams v Cwc A (2-7)

Bears  v Hustlers  (6-3) 

Trainors A v Whitecross (1-8)

McGuigans v Orchard bar (3-6)

  

Division 1  Sponsored By Ballyholland Harps

Foresters A  v  Glen social club (2-7)

St Monnina A  v Trainors B (6-3)

Ballyholland v Bosco A  (5-4)

No 7  v  John Murphys (6-3)

 

Division 2 Sponsored By Foresters  Newry INF

Nifty Fiftys  v Indo (5-4)

Dans Rebels v St Monnina B (7-2)

Bosco B  v Foresters B  (5-4)

Tj’s c v Port Bar  (9-0)

 

POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 01 Mar 2019 08:12 PM
CATEGORY : Local Sport

 

Newry Pool League Cunningham

Cup Draw being Played Tuesday 5th March                                                  

  Cwc   A  v  Foresters B 

  Whitecross v Trainors  A 

  Ballyholland v McGuigans

   Hustlers   v Orchard Bar

POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 25 Feb 2019 10:40 PM
CATEGORY : Local Sport

 

                                                Newry Pool League Pairs Draw

There will be one winning pair from each table on the night venues to be announced at later date

 

Chris McKeown & Gareth Trainor (Nifty Fiftys) v Cathal Phelan & Shane Phelan (W/cross)

Jimmy McVerry & Seamus McVerry (Trainors A) v Micky Teggart & Stephen Cunningham (St Moninna B)

 

Billy O’Neill & Ciaran O’Neill (Hustlers) v Paul Murphy & Adrian Holman ( Bears)

Benny Hoey & Ryan Diamond (Millvale) v Gareth McCann & Brian O’Neill (W/Cross)

 

Sean Murray & Seamus Graham (Trainors A) v Calium McParland & Emmet McParland (CWC B)

Declan Magee & Gerard Magee (Bosco) v Raymond Loughran & Sean Pentony (Foresters A)

 

Thomas McGuinness & Paddy McCann (St Moninna B) v Niall McQuillan & Girby Vettioukal (B/Holland)

Davy Doran & Paddy McKeown (Trainors B) v Shane Cunningham & Chris O’Hare (No. 7)

 

Michael Feenan & Michael O’Hanlon (W/cross) Kieran Larkin & Clive Whelan (Murphys)

Mark Pentony & Andrew Chan (Nans Rams) v Declan Brady & Conor McQuaid (St Moninna B)

 

Aidan Griffin & Brendan McAllister (Nifty Fiftys) v Paddy Clarke & Seamus McGeoghegan (CWC A)

Martin Conroy & Conor O’Hare (McGuigans) v John Rodgers & Willie Andrews (Bosco B)

 

Gavin Malone & Alan Burke (W/Cross) v Mervyn Kernaghan & Brendan Devlin (Orchard)

Gerard McEvoy & David McEvoy (B/Holland) Derek Ruddy & Aaron Ruddy (Trainors B)

 

Martin Bolton & Jeremy O’Brien (No. 7) v Neill Heaney & Gary Powell (Bears)

Tommy Mooney & Mark Trainor (Trainors B) v John Magee & Shane McVerry (Bosco B)

 

Kevin Magee & Raymond Magee (Hustlers) v Liam Turley & Gerard Bagnall (Orchard)

Micky Cunningham & Cathal McCoy (McGuigans) v Micheal Campbell & Adrian Larkin (TJs B)

 

Pat Quinn & Kevin Crilly (Murphys) v Gerard McGuigan & Nicky Langton (McGuigans)

Shane Hanratty & Darren Mackin (St Moninna B) v Ralph Crummy & Eddie Heaney (Bears)

 

Axel Foley & Mark Fleming (Nifty Fiftys) v Joey Magill & Denvoir Jenkins (Hustlers)

Mathew Creggan & Damon Murphy (Cavern) v Mark Maguire & Jimmy O’Hare (Nans)

 

Pat Brady & Harvey Lavelle (CWC A)  v Colm Sheilds & Jim McMahon (B/Holland)

Paul McAreavey & Pat Byrne (McGuigans) v Stephen Sherry & Pat McClenaghan (Nans)

 

Seamus Keenan & Eugene McDermott (Bears) v Barry Kelland & Kieran Cunningham (CWC B)

Liam Bradley & Noel Bradley (Trainors A) v Luke Phelan & Charlie Doherty (Trainors B)

 

Darren O’Hanlon & Marty White (Murphys) v Niall McVerry & James O’”Hagan (Trainors A)

Chris Cunningham & Tommy Rooney (CWC B) v John Daly & Andy Reynolds (Murphys)

 

Paddy Tavey & Eddie McCaughey (Trainors A) v Chris Fletcher & Richard Fletcher (No. 7)

Anthony O’Hanlon & Collie McCann (Millvale) v Leigh McAlinden & Mike Nugent (Nans)

 

Kieran McMahon & Terry McNally (CWC A) v Shane McAllister & Barry Murphy (Hustlers)

Ben McClorey & Danny Mowatt (Bosco B) v Aaron O’Callaghan & Conor Cunningham (Windmill)

 

POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 22 Feb 2019 09:03 PM
CATEGORY : Local Sport

 

 Bears v Ballyholland  

 Bosco A v Hustlers  

 Trainors A v No. 7 Duke St 

 Orchard Bar v Cwc A 
 

 

POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 22 Feb 2019 08:58 PM
CATEGORY : Local Sport

 

  Foresters B   v   Cwc   A    

  Whitecross v Trainors  A 

  Ballyholland v McGuigans

  Hustlers   v Orchard Bar

POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 22 Feb 2019 08:24 PM
CATEGORY : Local Sport

 

                               Newry Pool League Individuals Last 64

                             Results Played Thursday 21st February 2019

                                    Sponsored By Destination Newry

 

To Be Played @Trainors

 1. Shane Phelan (Whitecross) v Mark Maguire (Nans) (2-1)

2. Shane McVerry (Bosco B) v Pat Byrne (McGuigans) (0-2)

3. Richard Fletcher (No. 7 Duke St) v Damien Kearney (Trainors A) (0-2)

4. Liam Bradley (Trainors A) v Declan Magee (Bosco B) (2-0)

 

To Be Played @ Windmill

  Michael O’Hanlon (Whitecross) v Cailum Lonergan (Glen)  (2-0)

  Pat Brady (CWC A) v Alan Burke (Whitecross)  (2-0)

  Conor O’Hare (McGuigans) v Paddy Clarke (CWC A)  (0-2)

  Colm Shields (Ballyholland) v Bernie Magee (CWC A)  (2-1)

 

To Be Played @Bellinis

 Micky Cunningham (CWC A) v James O’Hagan (Trainors)  (1-2)

 Seamus McVerry (Trainors A) v Billy O’Neill (Hustlers) (2-1)

 Kieran Cummins (Bosco A) v Gareth McCann (Whitecross) (2-0)

 Kieran McMahon (CWC A) v Paddy Tavey (Trainors A) (2-1)

 

To Be Played @ CWC

 Joe Magill (Hustlers) v Terry McNally (CWC A)  (0-2)

Anthony Reynolds (Johnny Murphys) v Brian O’Neill (Whitecross) (1-2)

 Anthony Ryan (TJs B) v Colm McCann (Millvale) (0-2)

Eddie McCaughey (Trainors A) v Raymond Magee (Hustlers) (2-0)

 

 

To Be Played @ Nans

 Sean Murray (Trainors A) v Gary Powell (Bears) (1-2)

 Seamus Keenan (Bears) v J. Kelly (Glen) (2-0)

 PJ McDaniels (Orchard) v Brendan Devlin (Orchard) (2-0)

 Seamus McGeoghegan (CWC A) v Diarmuid Lonergan (Bears) (2-1)

 

To Be Played @McGuigans

 Cathal Phelan (Whitecross) v Michael Feenan (Whitecross) (2-1)

 Thomas McGuinness (St Moninna) v Kevin Magee (Hustlers) (2-0)

 Gerard McGuigan (McGuigans) v Seamus Graham (Trainors A) (2-1)

 Raymond McKenna (CWC A) v Gerard Bagnall (Orchard)  (2-1)

 

 

To Be Played @ Foresters

 Martin White (John Murphys) v Conor Heaney (Windmill) (2-1)

Harvey Lavelle (CWC A) v Ralph Crummy (Bears) (rearranged)

 Shane McAllister (Hustlers) v Gareth Trainor (Nifty Fiftys) (2-1)

 Henry McLoughlin (McSwiggans) v Martin Conroy (McGuigans) (1-2)

 

To Be Played @ Tj’s

 Jimmy McVerry (Trainors A) v Cailum McParland (CWC B) (0-2)

 Jim McMahon (Ballyholland) v Damien McArdle (Nifty Fiftys) (2-0)

 Cathal McCoy (McGuigans) v Brendan McNally (Trainors B) (2-0)

 Ben McClorey (Bosco B) v Michael Teggart (St Moninna A) (0-2)

 

POSTED By : NEWRY POOL LEAGUE
Post Date : 20 Feb 2019 09:41 PM
CATEGORY : Blog

Newry Pool League

Individuals
Sponsored By Destionation Newry

Some fanatic games to look forward. With so many great players it's not surprising we have one of the most exciting leagues in Ireland.
ALL STATs exclude last Tuesday nights results that were played in Division 1 and 2 as the blog was already started prior to these fixtures.

@ Trainor's Bar
Shane PHELAN (Whitecross) v Mark MAGUIRE (Nan's)
Shane Phelan hasn't won a league game in his last 4 outings. And he's lost 5 out of his last 6. His 8 league wins from the 1st 11 games were enough to see him onto our top scorer chart at Christmas but he's gone well off the boil since the turn of the year. In fact the Whitecross captain has the worst current record in his South Armagh team.
Mark Maguire can beat that though. He has one of the worst records in the whole league. He's lost the last 7 league games he's played and has picked up just the one league win so far this season. His total of 9 league defeats out of 10 has Maguire crying out for Division 1 next season where wins might, just might, come a little easier.
Shane Phelan to win 2-0.

Shane McVerry (Bosco B) v Pat Byrne (McGuigan's)
Shane McVerry might need to find a magic lamp if he's to pick up a win in 2019. He's left his best form back in 2018 as he struggles to pot a ball so far this year.
Pat Byrne is in a rich vein of form for McGuigan's. He may have had a shock defeat against Whitecross last time out but he beat CWC's Kieran McMahon before that. Before Thursday nights blip Byrne had won 5 out of his last 6.
Pat Byrne's ultra attacking pool can leave him open to a decent tactical player but he's safe enough this time around and it should be 2-0.

Richard FLETCHER (No. 7) v Damien KEARNEY (Trainor's A)
Richard Fletcher beat Premier Division opposition Paul Murphy (Bears) in the 1st round. He won last week and he's enjoying the promotion hunt that Bar No. 7 are involved in. Fletcher is a big game player and he will fear no one.
Dee Kearney has fought his way into Trainor's starting 8 after a string of good performances. He's played in their last 4 league games winning 3. That's his longest run in the side since the opening 4 league games of the season.
Dee Kearney is in for a Royal scrap here but his new found confidence might edge a great match 2-1.

Liam BRADLEY (Trainor's A) v Declan MAGEE (Bosco)
Liam Bradley was on a 7 game winning run until he came up short against CWC last time out. Bradley has been taking out some sensational finishes this season and has nerves of steal.
Declan Magee had a good win against St. Monnina B and but lost against Millvale in has last two games. Magee beat John Daly in round 1 but he's stepping up in class now.
Liam Bradley beat Barry Kelland in the 1st round 2-0 and a similar score should see Bradley ease through.


@ Bellinis
Micky CUNNINGHAM (CWC A) v James O'HAGAN (Trainor's A)
Micky Cunningham has hardly lifted a cue all season so he will be very short on match practise. The league Secretary scraped past Mark Pentony in the previous round but how will he cope with the lack of table time?
James O'Hagan missed a black that would have kept Trainor's top of the Premier Division last week. That was his 4th defeat in a row and 6th defeat in 7 league games. He scraped through his 1st round tie 2-1 in what should have been as easy game. O'Hagan is a quality player and he will be back but whether he can hit form in time to resurrect his own personal campaign is another matter altogether.
Micky Cunningham could make this a very tough night for James O'Hagan but it's hard not to see the latter edge this 2-1. O'Hagan should just about have to much fire power not to make it through.

Seamus McVERRY (Trainor's A) v Billy O'NEILL (Hustlers)
Seamus McVerry had a memorable win over Harvey Lavelle in his last league outing. He has won his last 3 in a row and his last 8 out of ten. In fact his total of 10 wins and only 3 defeats puts him right up there amongst the finest in the league.
Billy O'Neil has been inconsistent at best. He's won his last 2 league games, lost the 2 previous to that. He'll be glad he's over his tough start where he lost 6 in a row.
Billy O'Neill is slowly but surely getting his mojo back but Seamus McVerry is having a tremendous season and is surely a dark horse to be champion again. 2-0 Seamus McVerry.

Kieran CUMMINS (Bosco) v Gareth McCANN (Whitecross)
Kieran Cummins out though sharp shooter Killian McDonald in the last round. The methodical Cummins will grind it with the best of them. Cummins lost a final frame decider against Ballyholland last time out which would have secured a draw.
Gareth McCann has at long last got his season on track. Won a massive frame for Whitecross when his team looked dead and buried at 3-0. He started the amazing comeback which finished 5-3 to Whitecross. He had a good win against a decent Kevin Lennon and McCann has now won his last 3 league games.
Gareth McCann is on a roll although it won't be easy I'd expect the Whitecross cueist to edge a tight match 2-1.

Kieran McMAHON (CWC A) v Paddy TAVEY (Trainor's A)
This is without question the tie of the round and probably the tie of the tournament so far.
Kieran McMahon is rock solid. Cool as icicles on an iceberg. He broke and dished Eddie McCaughey in his last league outing. Despite being one of the most feared players in the league he has still lost 3 of his last 7. He had won his previous 8 in a row before that. McMahon stuffed the tricky Ciaran O'Neill 2-0 in the last round and he expects to clear every time he visits the table. 12 league wins in total is superb from the 'Machine'
Paddy Tavey has been one of the players of the season so far. 2 of his only 3 defeats have come against his old side CWC A. He made no mistake last time out when he brilliantly broke and dished against Raymie McKenna. Tavey has won his last 4 in a row and 10 out of his last 11 league games. His 12 league wins puts him among the elite in local pool.
Paddy Tavey needs to be playing in the latter stages of the individuals to be mentioned as one of the 'greats' of Newry pool. He needs to play flawless pool against Kieran McMahon but the ginger nugget McMahon is no easy Machine to break down. This could be a classic on a good potting table but we will go with the old reliable Kieran McMahon 2-1.


@ CWC
Joe MAGILL (Hustlers) v Terry McNALLY (CWC A)
Joey Magill lost his last game in the horror show against Nan's. He has won 2 out of his last 4 games after a run of 4 defeats. Magill likes to play attacking pool but he's got a tough 2nd round draw.
Terry McNally won a crucial game against Trainor's in his last match and his record since joining CWC is impressive. 2 defeats and 8 wins is good by any standard. He's been a vital part in the CWC challenging for the title.
Terry McNally shouldn't be overly tested here. 2-0.

Anthony REYNOLDS (Johnny Murphy's) v Brian O'NEILL (Whitecross)
Anthony Reynolds is coming in off the back of a league defeat but he is a good solid player who is a dangerous potter. He beat John Little in the last round and will fancy his chances of progressing.
Brian O'Neill has been like a new signing for Whitecross this season. He may have lost his last league game against McGuigan's but his 7 league wins are a fantastic return for the very much improved O'Neill. His last 6 wins have come 2 at a time. His pattern since Bears, way back in the 6th league game has been - 2 wins, 1 defeat, 2 wins, 1 defeat, 2 wins but now 2 defeats. A win against Reynolds would help get him back on track.
We fancy Brian O'Neill to squeeze through 2-1.

Anthony Ryan (TJ's B) v Colm McCANN (Millvale)
Had a good win in McSwiggan's on his last league outing to help TJ's B to a draw. His previous 2 league ended in defeat where he played last. The most agonising was his 8th frame loss against rivals TJ's C when cost his side a draw. Can Ryan cope in the big pressure atmosphere?
Colly McCann is a potting machine. He has not one notion where the white is going. His attacking style is easy on the eye and quite productive in the lower leagues. McCann had a fantastic result in the previous round when he destroyed Neil Heaney 2-0.
Colm McCann bullies opponents by going all out potting. 2-0 could be the result for him again.

Eddie McCAUGHEY (Trainor's A) v Raymond MAGEE (Hustlers)
Eddie McCaughey has been a superb signing for Trainor's. McCaughey is a deadly potter who knows the patterns to make finishes look easy. McCaughey had won 5 in a row but he's lost 2 on the spin now. He got dished against CWC in the crunch title match but that is not something he needs to worry about against Ray Magee.
Ray Magee lost in his lost match against Nan's and his previous game against Bears. After 5 defeats in a row Magee had recovered with 3 wins. His 5 wins in the league all season is one reason Nan's are heading back to Division 1.
Eddie McCaughey won't need to be at his best to make it to the 3rd round 2-0.


@ Nan's
Sean MURRAY (Trainor's) v Garry POWELL (Bears)
Sean Murray is a top player but he has yet to set the Premier Division alight. He's only played 7 games but he's won 4 of them. He had a good 2-0 win over Darren O'Hanlon in round 1.
Garry Powell had one of best results of the 1st round when he toppled Trainor's captain Niall McVerry. Powell lost out against Orchard in his last match which was his 2nd defeat in a row. In fact he has 5 defeats from the last 6 league games he's played. Most of his 6 wins came in the 1st round of league fixtures.
Gary Powell needs to be at his best to compete against sharp potter Sean Murray. Both players play attacking pool but Murray gets our nod here 2-1.

Seamus KEENAN (Bears) v Jay KELLY (Glenn)
Seamus Keenan lost his last 2 games but the game before he broke and cleared out in Whitecross. He has an impressive 8 wins with 5 defeats. The 'Snail' is a great grinder but a fine potter when he gets in the groove.
Jay Kelly beat Andrew Connolly in the 1st round and had a good win in his last league game against No. 7. Kelly likes to play early and doesn't dodge the big guns.
Seamus Keenan could be surprised by Jay Kelly's quality but we still think Keenan has too much not to win 2-0.

PJ McDANIALS (Orchard) v Brendan DEVLIN (Orchard)
What a tie this is. This massive Orchard derby match-up should be a cracker.
PJ McDanial destroyed Denvor Jenkins in round 1. McDanial has missed most of Orchards season but he has still managed 5 wins with 3 defeats. 1 of those defeats came against Bears in the last match.
Brendy Devlin had to overcome Aaron O'Callaghan in the prelim and then Nathan Crudden to get this far. Devlin beat Garry Powell in Bears in the last league game. Devlin has 7 wins and 7 defeats. He had 4 defeats in a row around the Christmas and New year break.
Brendan Devlin is playing regular pool and is an all round better player. He should go through 2-1.

Seamus McGEOGHEGAN (CWC A) v Diarmuid LONERGAN (Bears)
Seamus McGeoghegan is doing his level best to stop CWC winning the league. Going by his results you could make a case that he's a closet Trainor's supporter. He's won only 1 of his last 7 games. He has 5 league wins all season. It's not pretty reading.
Diarmuid Lonergan beat the tidy Tony McGovern in his last league game when he faced his old side Orchard Bar. He had lost 2 in a row before that and won 3 in a row previous to that.
This will be a tensioned filled match with serious tactical play. The ref will be the biggest loser in this long drawn out match. If Diarmuid Lonergan can hold his nerve he could shock Seamus McGeoghegan 2-1.


@ Windmill
Mickey O'HANLON (Whitecross) v Cailum LONERGAN (Glenn)
Mickey O'Hanlon got a lucky draw in the  last round when the No. 7 crew didn't travel out. O'Hanlon has struggled this season with 9 defeats and only 2 league wins all season. It's surprise he's decided to concentrate on the love life. We got a tip off he had the new lady back in Friar Tucks on Valentines night.
Cailum Lonergan lost in his sides defeat against Bar 7 but he did have one of the shock results of the 1st round when he go passed Orchard Captain David Cromie.
Mickey O'Hanlon will have his work cut out here but his vast knowledge might be the key to a 2-1 win.

Pat BRADY (CWC A) v Alan BURKE (Whitecross)
What a draw the neutrals got here. Pat Brady is simply a phenomenon. He's aiming to contest his 3rd individuals final in a row. 11 league wins in a row puts Pat Brady clear in the scoring charts. He's the only player with 13 league wins.
Alan Burke knows what he's up against here. Had a good run when he hit 5 wins on the spin. He then lost 2 in a row but a win against McGuigan's has him back on track. 7 wins 6 defeats is Burke's sum total for the season. Burke is not just back to his very best yet and he knows it needs to click for him on the night or it's the end of his Singles campaign.
Pat Brady will be just too good. 2-0.

Conor O'HARE (McGuigan's) v Paddy CLARKE (CWC A)
Conor O'Hare struggled past Brian McGeough from Windmill Bar in the 1st round. O'Hare's league record is impressive. 9 wins and only 3 defeats is top table stats. McGuigan's star player has little use for tactics as he just goes for the big finish every visit.
Paddy Clarke now knows what it's like to be the hunted instead of the hunter after a might scare against Division 2 player Aidan Griffin. Clarke the current Singles Champion only scraped through 2-1 in the 1st round. Clarke has a better win average but maybe its only because he's played more games that O'Hare. 11 wins and 3 defeats is still 2 more than his opponent but their exceptional talents cannot be disputed.
At 1st glance these two look virtually inseparable. The biggest problem is that 2 of Conor O'Hare's 3 defeats have come against CWC. Can O'Hare cut it against the really top players? Our tip has to be big talking Paddy Clarke and we'll go all in for 2-1.

Colm SHIELDS (Ballyholland) v Bernie MAGEE (CWC A)
Colm Shields overcame tough Nifty Fifty opponent Raymie Loughran in the 1st round 2-0. Shields put his tactical skills to one side in his last Thursday night game before the Singles when he brilliantly broke and dished his Bosco opponent. He's having a fantastic season as his Ballyholland side push for Division 1 title honours.
Bernie Magee had to battle past Barry Murphy 2-1 and then had to come from behind to scrape past John Hogan 2-1 again. Magee is nothing if not a hardened battler. Magee beat Liam Bradley in the final frame of the night against Trainor's to fire CWC top of the Premier Division in his last outing.
Colm Shields could prove a tricky customer. He's full of confidence but Bernie Magee is the man for the big occasion and we'll go for 2-0 Magee.

@ McGuigan's
Cathal PHELAN (Whitecross) v Michael FEENAN
Cathal Phelan twice went on runs of 4 defeats from 5 games. That's astonishing for a player of his calibre. He's won his last 2 league games to help Whitecross go well clear in 3rd place. He scraped past John McMurray 2-1 in his prelim round then edged team mate Gavin Malone 2-0 in the 1st round.
Michael Feenan is on a run of 3 defeats from his last 4 league games following his loss against McGuigan's. His 10 wins and 5 defeats is still one of the best records in the Premier Division. One thing Feenan won't be short on is confidence. He overcame Stevie Teggart in round 1 and now faces a whole new type of pressure.
This is a really tough call to pick a winner. Is Cathal Phelan getting back to his best and is Michael Feenan going off the boil? You can never rule Cathal Phelan out of a match. He can win a match through pure grinding tactics or a sublime break finish. If Michael Feenan is on his game he can upset the odds here though. We will go for Feenan 2-1 in an entertaining match.

Tom McGUINNESS (St. Monnina) v Kevin MAGEE (Hustlers)
Tom McGuinness beat the tricky Brendan McAllister in the 1st round and things are about to get a little more tricky. McGuinness can be slowed down and beaten tactically like Charlie Docherty did a few weeks ago. He had a good win the last Thursday the league was played and he likes opponents that attack.
Kevin Magee beat Shane Durnin in the 1st round and now faces are far more experienced opponent. Magee won his last match in the defeat to Nan's. It was his 6th win in 7 games and 9th league win in total.
Kevin Magee is having an outstanding season and although a tough game is guaranteed, he should edge a close contest 2-1.

Gerard McGUIGAN (McGuigan's) v Seamus GRAHAM (Trainor's)
Gerard McGuigan is have the season of his life. He plays 1st virtually every week so he get all the big hitters. He won his opening 5 league games and is currently on 5 wins out of his last 7. He beat Conor McQuiad in the 1st round.
Seamus Graham had a stunning 2-0 win over high flying Tony McGovern in round 1. Graham lost out to Paddy Clarke in his last league match but he had won his previous 3 league games.
Seamus Graham and Gerard McGuigan should serve up a nice helping of all out attacking pool. Graham has only played 10 league games and has lost 4. This is a toss of a coin. Who will hit form on the night? Our tip is Gerard McGuigan in a close 2-1 win on his home table.

Raymond McKENNA (CWC A) v Gerard BAGNALL (Glenn)
Raymond McKenna is steady as a rock with 9 league wins from his 12 games played. He'll be delighted with his draws so far. Tommy Rooney was 2-0 and now Gerard Bagnall.
Gerard Bagnall got a bye in the last round and his reward is former overall individual's runner-up McKenna. Bagnall had a mini revival after Christmas but has since found that losing habit again. Premier Division has proved to come too early in his pool career as his 3 wins all season speaks volumes.
Raymond McKenna will have tougher games down the line. 2-0.



@ Forester's
Martin WHITE (Johnny Murphy's) v Conor HEANEY (Windmill)
Martin White stunned Premier player Paul McAreavey in the 1st round. He lost his big derby game against St. Monnina but he's having a really good season and will fancy another result here.
Conor Heaney beat Luke Phelan comfortably in round 1. Heaney was disappointing against Forester's and CWC B and will be hoping to up his game for the Singles again.
Looks like a bridge too far for Conor Heaney. Martin White to go through 2-1.

Harvey LAVELLE (CWC A) v Ralph CRUMMY (Bears)
Harvey Lavelle suffered his 1st league defeat since the 2nd league game of the season against Trainor's in his last league game before the individuals 2nd round. Lavelle had won 10 in a row. He had to overcome the dangerous potter Niall McQuillan in round 1.
Ralph Crummy struggled past Division 2 Jamie Heaney 2-1 in the 1st round. Crummy has won 4 of his last 5 league games and a total of 9 wins this season is a cueiest full of confidence and hitting the balls well.
There's only a handful of players that Harvey Lavelle would be favourite against and Ralph Crummy isn't one of them. 2-0 Lavelle.

Shane McALLISTER (Hustlers) v Gareth TREANOR (Nifty Fifty)
Shane McAllister had a hard fought win over multiple league winner Eugene McDermott 2-1 in the 1st round. McAllister has been his usual reliable self this season. He's on a 4 game winning streak and he's won 7 out of his last 8. His league 10 wins puts him right up there with the best in the Premier Division.
Gareth Treanor beat fellow Division 2 player Benny Hoey in round 1 and reading his next opponents stats should fill him with dread. Gareth Treanor is a man on a mission. He's been on a phenomenal run winning all his league games in January and unbeaten in February.
Gareth Treanor could be a handful but Shane McAllister is a class act and it should be 2-0.

Henry McLOUGHLIN (McSwiggan's) v Martin CONROY
Henry McLoughlin produced one of the biggest 1st round shocks when he beat experienced Premier Division cueiest Mervyn Kernaghan 2-1. McLoughlin lost his last Thursday night match but 2 wins previous keeps his confidence up going into the 2nd round of the Singles.
Martin Conroy is having an incredible season for McGuigan's. Conroy cruised past Kevin Crilly in round 1. He has only been beaten 3 times in the league so far this season and has 9 wins under his belt. A break finish against Whitecross is his highlight so far.
Henry McLoughlin will make Martin Conroy work for it but the Premier player Conroy should have too much ability. 2-1.



@ TJ's
Jimmy McVERRY (Trainor's A) v Cailim McPARLAND (CWC B)
Jimmy McVerry came through a tricky tie against another Premier player Leigh McAlinden. The former Dan's captain has been a bit part player for Trainors this season playing just 6 league games. He's won half of them but how much will lack of table time affect his game?
Cailim McParland edged out Niall Rice 2-1 in the 1st round. McParland is a sensational potter but he needs to learn  to hang a ball or play a safety. He can play under pressure like his final frame win against Windmill that salvaged CWC B a draw recently.
Jimmy McVerry won't go pot for pot or he's likely to bow out. McVerry can slow the pace and nick this match 2-1.

Jim McMAHON (Ballyholland) v Damien McARDLE (Nifty Fifty)
Jim McMahon has won all his league games this side of Christmas as he helps Ballyholland to a 1st time return to the Premier Division. McMahon loves a tactical game and he may well need it.
Damien McArdle beat Rony O'Reilly to secure his place in round two. Diddles has been a masterstroke signing for Nifty Fifty as they cruise towards promotion. He plays an exciting brand of pool going for pot from everywhere.
TJ's good potting tables should suit Damien McArdle for a close 2-1 win.

Cathal McCOY (McGuigan's) v Brendan McNALLY (Trainor's B)
Cathal McCoy beat inconsistent Charlie Docherty in the 1st round. McCoy spent the 1st half of the season in and out of the Trainor's and subsequently joined McGuigan's. He hasn't given 100% effort to them yet but he has the talent to make an impact.
Brendan McNally had a surprise 2-0 win over Jamie Fletcher in round 1. McNally hasn't appeared too much for Trainor's this season and the turn of the year hasn't encouraged him to pull the cue out of storage either.
Cathal McCoy and Brendan McNally could serve up an interesting battle but McCoy has more strings to his bow. 2-1 Cathal McCoy.

Ben McCLOREY (Bosco B) v Michael TEGGART (St. Monnina A)
Ben McClorey won a fantastic 2-1 battle over team mate John Magee in the 1st round. McClorey recently lost to Millvale then got axed for the next match. He will need to up his game to see the 3rd round.
Michael Teggart was in the same venue  as Ben McClorey when Teggart beat Gerard McAvoy. In fact McClorey reffed the match. Teggart will be hoping McClorey wasn't paying attention. Teggart won his last Thursday night out when he won away to Murphy's. His been in great form since the turn of the year and should be a vital part of a promotion chasing Saints.
Michael Teggart can be a class act when he turns up on form. 2-0 to the Saints player isn't out of the question.

 

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