My 147academy students Brendan O Donoghue from the New Institute snooker club in Nenagh and Rodney Goggins from Liam Mellows SC in Wexford reached the final of the Republic Of Ireland Senior Snooker Championships in the Ivy Rooms Snooker Club in Carlow on Sunday the 7th of May. In the final Rodney went 2 nil up but back came Brendan to level the match 3-3 at the interval. After the interval the Nenagh man went from strength to strength to win the next four frames to win the title 7 frames to 3 and his third RIBSA National Senior Title.
As both players coach I was so impressed with the overall performance from both players in this 2017 Irish Championship. Rodney had a superb Championship when he beat the defending Champion TJ Dowling in the last 16 but Brendan was so focused on his goal and he finished Number 1 on the RIBSA rankings and became the National Champion in style. The final was held during the Republic of Ireland Billiards & Snooker Association Championship finals weekend when 14 National Snooker & Billiard Champions were crowned which included 15 year old Ross Bulman winning four National Under-Age Titles when he won the U-16, U-18, U-19 and U-21 Irish Championships.
Last 16:
Brendan O Donoghue 4-1 Stephen Bateman, David Cassidy 4-3 Jason Devaney, Tom O Driscoll 4-1 Paul Luden, Noel Landers 4-0 Robert Murphy, Michael Judge 4-0 Karl Fitzpatrick, Philip O Connor 4-3 James Fennessy, Colm Gilcreest 4-2 Colvin O Brien and Rodney Goggins 4-2 TJ Dowling.
Quarter-Finals:
Brendan O Donoghue 5 v 3 David Cassidy , Tom O Driscoll 5 v 2 Noel Landers , Philip O Connor 5 v 3 Michael Judge , Rodney 5 v 1 Colm Gilcreest.
Semi-Finals:
Brendan O’Donoghue 6 v 5 Tom O Driscoll and Rodney Goggins 6 v 0 Philip O Connor
Final: Brendan O Donoghue 7 v 3 Rodney Goggins
High Break :120 TJ Dowling
