Mens Northern Ireland Individual Championships

** DATE CHANGE **

Could all players wishing to enter this event please note a change of date

OLD DATE - Sunday 25th March 2012 (Lodge Hotel, Coleraine)
NEW DATE - Saturday 24th March 2012 (Lodge Hotel, Coleraine)

Pictured right - Current Northern Ireland Individual Champion Ronan McCarthy receiving his trophy from NIPA Specials Secretary Pauline Lynch

NI Ladies Individuals

In the picture are the two finalists in the 2012 Northern Ireland Ladies Individual Championship.


On the left is new Champion Michelle Roonay from Enniskillen and right is Runner Up Sara Greenberg from Newtownabbey.


The event was held in the Ballymena United Social Club on six top class Baizecraft Club Tables

Northern Ireland Ladies Doubles Championships

This Sunday 29th January 2012, sees the NI Ladies Doubles Championships take place. Current holders Elise Richardson and Krissie Cutler (pictured right), will be hoping to regain their title in what is expected to be another strong field.

What - Northern Ireland Ladies Doubles Championships
When - Sunday 29th January 2012
Where - Ballymena United Social Club
Time - Registration closes 12:30pm
Entry - £10 per team if affiliated, £12.50 unaffiliated
Who - Open to anyone who is eligible to represent Northern Ireland
Dress Code - NIPA dress code applies
Format - Scotch Doubles, knock out

Main NI Pool Tour Event 3

This Sunday 29th January sees Event 3 take place in the Main NI Blackball Pool Tour, run by Shooters and the Kingfisher Bar's in Bangor, North Down.

Leading the way after 2 Events is Ballymoneys Tommy Morrow with 29 points. Joint 2nd are Bangors Terry McDowell and Ballymena's Drew Sloan on 26 points.

What - NI Main Pool Tour EVENT 3
When - Sunday 29th January 2012
Where - Shooters Pool Hall, Bangor
Time - Registration closes 11am
Entry - £20
Who - Open to anyone
Dress code - Shirt with collar, no football logos
Format - Straight knockout, 1st Round best of 11

For any questions ring John Lowry on 07429 537941

Michelle is new Ladies Champion

A big congratulations to Michelle Roonay who is the new 2012 Northern Ireland Ladies Blackball Individual Champion. In the Competition which was held in Ballymena United Social Club, the Fermanagh girl made it to the Semi Final stage where she overcame Clare Webster of Carrick by a 5-0 scoreline to reach the final. Her opponent in the final, Sara Greenberg fropm Co. Antrim, had overcome Jean McIlroy from Larne in a stamina draining Semi Final by 5-4 to reach the final two.

Final Result
Michelle Roonay (Enniskillen) 5-1 Sara Greenberg (Newtownabbey)

Frames - Roonay, Roonay, Roonay, Roonay, Greenberg, Roonay

Photo to follow.

Johnston wins NI Seniors Tour No. 4

Well done to Stephen Johnston who was in awesome form all day in winning the NI Seniors Tour, event number 4. Seniors 'A' Team player Stephen overcame Tour leader Raymond Stockman, Davy Drysdale and Jimmy McCullough on his way to the final where he was then pitted up against local cueist Sam Newell. Sam's had defeated Alan Corrigan, Davy McGurn and Kenny English on his march to the final.

Final Result
Stephen Johnston (Lisburn) 6-3 Sam Newell (Bangor)

Frames - Johnston, Johnston, Newell, Johnston, Johnston, Newell, Newell, Johnston, Johnston

After 4 from 8 events, Carrick's Kenny English is in Number 1 position. To view the updated leaderboard click here

Declan and Warner are just Champion

It's congratulations to 14 year old Declan Duff and 21 year old Warner Johnston, who are the new Northern Ireland 2012 Blackball Pool Champions in Under 18 and Under 23 respectively. Both Finals were cracking matches, both going down to the 9th and deciding frames. Declan, who's standard of Pool belies his young age will be travelling to Bridlington in March with the Under 23s and will also be part of the Mens B2 squad. Warner who took home a £100 winners prize today will make his debut with the Under 23s. Results below.

UNDER 18s

Last 4
Lee Wright 4-1 Tiarnan Kelly
Declan Duff 4-1 Lee McIlreavy

Final
Declan Duff (Lurgan) 5-4 Lee Wright (Ballymena)

Frames - Wright, Duff, Wright, Duff, Duff, Wright, Wright, Duff, Duff

UNDER 23s

Prelims
Lee Wright 4-0 Jake McCready, Declan Duff 4-1 Dominic Delargy, Matthew Wylie 4-1 David Heyes

Last 16
Lee Wright 4-3 Lee McIlreavy, John Wilson 4-0 Ryan Ennis, Raymond Christie 4-1 Craig Loughlin, Andrew Macrory 4-2 Declan Duff, Warner Johnston 4-1 Tiarnan Kelly, William Irvine 4-2 Scott McQuiston, David Patterson 4-3 Ryan Martin, Matthew 4-1 Adam Gordon

Last 8
Lee Wright 4-2 John Wilson, Raymond Christie 4-1 Andrew Macrory, Warner Johnston 4-2 William Irvine, David Patterson 4-0 Matthew Wylie

Last 4
Raymond Christie 4-0 Lee Wright, Warner Johnston 4-2 David Patterson

Final
Warner Johnston (Bangor) 5-4 Raymond Christie (Lisburn)

Frames - Christie, Christie, Johnston, Johnston, Johnston, Christie, Johnston, Christie, Johnston

In the top photo - Declan Duff (right) and Lee Wright, receive their trophies from Under 23 'B' Team Manager Alec Irvine
Bottom photo - Warner Johnston (left) and Raymond Christie receive their trophies from Under 23 'A' Team Manager John Lowry

Thanks go to BALLYMENA UNITED SOCIAL CLUB for hosting the event on 6 top class BAIZECRAFT Club Tables

Northern Ireland Ladies Individual Championships

The 2012 Northern Ireland Ladies Individual Championship will take place this Sunday (22nd January) in Ballymena United Social Club. Pictured right is 2011 Champion Mary McCourt from Carnlough, who will be hoping to win the crown for a 2nd year in a row. Others to watch out for are Julie Henderson (Coleraine), Claire Stewart (Antrim), Sara Greenberg (Newtownabbey) and last years Runner Up Alex Babb (Newtownards)

Where - Ballymena United Social Club
When - Sunday 22nd January 2012
Time - Registration closes 12:00 noon
Who - Open to any player who is eligible to play for N.Ireland
Cost -£10 affiliated, £12.50 non affiliated
Dress - NIPA dress code applies
Format - Knockout best of 7, Final and Semi Finals best of 9

Specials announce their Bridlington squads

 
The Northern Ireland Specials have announced their Mens and Ladies squads to travel to Bridlington for the 2012 Special Pool World Championships. Good luck to all Players and Officials, hopefully we can bring home another sack load of trophies.

 

MENS SQUAD			MENS SQUAD			LADIES SQUAD
Alan Bell	Portadown		Nigel Campbell	Ballymoney		Valerie Taggart	Coleraine
Clifford Healy	Bangor		Eddie Huey	Ballymoney		Roisin Toner	Coleraine
Robin Gilliland	Muckamore		Mark Gray	Ballymoney		Frances McCann	Maghera
Sammy Johnston	Muckamore		Conrad McFeely	Ballymoney		Susan O'Kane	Maghera
John Brown	Newtownards		Alwyn Holmes	Ballymoney		Patricia McTasney	Belfast
John McIlvenna	Newtownards		Jason McAfee	Ballymoney		Grainne Cregan	Belfast
Daniel Benson	Crumlin		Alister Lynn	Maghera		Briege McFall	Belfast
Paddy Reid	Ballycastle		Martin McGuigan	Maghera
Clifford McKendry	Ballycastle		Richard Hunter	Antrim
John McKillop	Ballycastle		Ryan Hynes	Coleraine
Jason McBride	Ballycastle		John Henderson	Gilford

NI Seniors Tour 4

Event Number 4 of 8 in the NI Seniors Pool Tour takes place this Sunday 22nd January in the Kingfisher Bar, Bangor. Registration closes at 1:00pm and players can enter and pay on the day.

To view the leaderboard after 3 events click on NI Seniors Tour Leaderboard

For any queries contact John Lowry on 07429 537941

Under 18s and Under 23 Northern Ireland Individual Championships

This Saturday 21st January sees the Northern Ireland Under 18 and Under 23 Individual Championships take place in the Ballymena United Social Club. Details below. Players can pay on the day, it is not a pre enter Competition.

UNDER 18s

Where - Ballymena United Social Club
When - Saturday 21st January 2012
Time - Registration closes at 12:00 noon
Who - Open to anyone who is eligible to play for Northern Ireland. Players to be Under the age of 18 on 1/1/12 (players must bring ID with them)
Cost - £10 if affiliated, £12.50 if not
Dress - NIPA dress code applies
Format - Knockout

UNDER 23s

Where - Ballymena United Social Club
When - Saturday 21st January 2012
Time - Registration closes at 1:00pm
Who - Open to anyone who is eligible to play for Northern Ireland. Players to be Under the age of 23 on 1/1/12 (players must bring ID with them)
Cost - £10 if affiliated, £12.50 if not
Dress - NIPA dress code applies
Format - Knockout

Top Photo - Last years Under 18 Winner, Corey Sweeney from Coleraine
Bottom Photo - Last years Under 21 Winner Scott Clarke, also from Coleraine

Coleraine defend their title !!

Coleraine Pool League under the captaincy of Raymond Stockman are the 2012 NIPA Interleague Champions. They held on to their crown in a repeat of last years Final against North Down & Ards, running out 17-13 winners after a pulsating battle.

GROUP 1 SCORES
Carrick 17-11 Ballyclare
Ballyclare 17-13 Larne
Carrick 17-14 Larne

GROUP 2 SCORES
ND&A 17-14 Crumlin
Crumlin 17-8 Ballymena
ND&A 17-13 Ballymena

GROUP 3 SCORES
Coleraine 17-11 Clogher Valley
Clogher Valley 17-15 Ballymoney
Coleraine 17-8 Ballymoney

SEMI FINALS

Coleraine 17-12 Carrick
ND&A 17-12 Crumlin

FINAL 
Coleraine 17-13 ND&A

And a big well done to Interleague debutantes Clogher Valley (pictured right). Damian Corrigans lads headed back down the M1 as Winners of the Plate Event after some very impressive performances. The only match they lost was against eventual winners Coleraine in the group stages, they then  went on to beat Ballymoney, Ballymena and Larne.

PLATE SEMI FINALS
Clogher Valley 12-7 Ballymena
Larne 12-3 Ballyclare

PLATE FINAL
Clogher Valley 12-9 Larne

Many thanks go to North Down & Ards Pool Association for hosting the Event, and to Trevor Harte, Pauline Lynch and their assistants for running the top table over the 2 days.

Interleague 'B' Team Event

CARRICK ARE CHAMPS !!

Well done to Derek Whiteside's Carrick B1 Interleague Team (pictured right). They stormed to victory in the annual N.I.P.A Competition after going so close last year when losing from being 3 up with 4 to play. They beat last years Winners North Down & Ards B2 17-13 in an exciting final which was neck and neck most all the way, with Carrick just pulling away at the business end of the match.

Group 1 Scores
ND&A b1 17-8 Ballymena b1
Ballymena b1 17-15 Carrick b2
Carrick b2 17-11 ND&A b1

Group 2 Scores
ND&A b2 17-7 Ballyclare b1
Larne b1 17-5 Ballyclare b1
Larne b1 17-14 ND&A b2


Group 3 Scores
Larne b2 17-6 NI Ladies
Carrick b1 17-8 NI Ladies
Carrick b1 17-12 Larne b2

Semi Finals
Carrick b1 17-10 Carrick b2
ND&A b2 17-9 Larne b1

Final
Carrick b1 17-13 ND&A b2

In the Plate event, North Down & Ards (pictured right) defeated Larne b2 in the Final (results below)
Plate Prelim
NI Ladies 12-9 Ballyclare b1
Plate Semi Finals
Larne b2 12-3 Ballymena b1
ND&A b1 12-7 NI Ladies
Plate Final
ND&A b1 17-8 Larne b2



Pictured in the blue tshirts are some Ballymena cueists relaxing before the Competition started and below that are some of the Northern Ireland Ladies players.

2012 NIPA Interleague

Teams confirmed so far into our 2012 Interleague Competitions which takes place in the Queens Hall, Newtownards are listed below. Managers in brackets.

Team Registration closes at 11:30am. Any team not registered by this time will lose one frame for every 5 minutes they are late in registering. Any frames lost for late registration will apply to all that teams matches in the group stage. All first group matches will start at 11:45am. Teams can register a maximum of 15 players. The hall will be open at 10:00am for practice. All Team Captains are reminded to make sure all players adhere to N.I.P.A dress code.

'A' Team Event (Sunday 15th January 2012)
Carrick & District (Colin Montgomery Sr)
Larne & District (Ellis Martin)
Ballyclare & District (Wayne Lewis)
Coleraine League (Raymond Stockman)
Crumlin Singles League (Mark Davidson)
Ballymoney League (Chris Alexander)
North Down & Ards League (Darren Sterrett)
Ballymena League (David Armstrong)
Clogher Valley League (Damian Corrigan)


'B' Team Event (Saturday 14th January 2012)
Carrick & District 'B1' (Derek Whiteside)
Carrick & District 'B2' (Rab Brown)
Larne & District 'B1' (Bryan McWhirter)
Larne & District 'B2' (Scott Hutchinson & Alec Irvine)
Ballyclare & District 'B1' (Michael Leitch)
North Down & Ards League 'B1' (Graeme Larmour)
North Down & Ards League 'B2' (John Lowry)
Northern Ireland Ladies (Eadie McFeeters)
Ballymena League (Richie Irwin)

Pictured above is Coleraine Interleague Team Manager, Raymond Stockman receiving the 2011 Winners Shield from NIPA Specials Secretary, Pauline Lynch. Coleraine defeated North Down & Ards 12-11 after a play off frame in one of the most exciting Finals on record.

Bridlington 2012 Squads

The Bridlington Spa Arena

Squads for the 2012 European Championships in Bridlington, East Yorkshire have been selected. Check back here for any updates.

Mens 'A' Team - Darren Sterrett (M), Willie Eakin, Brian Crilly, Lee Hull, Ronan McCarthy, Neil McKelvey, Sam Newell, Marc Hutchinson
Mens 'B1' Team - Derek Whiteside (M), Jason Heffron, Dee Irwin, Ady Toner, Billy Moore, Lee Caulfield, Lee Wright, Paul Harris, Terry McDowell, Andy Arbuthnot, Tom McCorry, Herbie O' Neil, Scott Hay, Steven Carson
Mens 'B2' Team - Peter Leddy (M), Gee Crawley, Trevor Whiteside, Paul Currie, Wayne Lewis, Ricky Crooke, Keith Hunter, Colin Rafferty, Jonny Thompson, Colin Montgomery Sr, Tristan Scott-Heyes, Gary Johnston, Joe Patton, Declan Duff
Seniors 'A' Team - Eric Sterrett (M), Raymond Stockman, Stephen Johnston, Kenny English, Davy McGurn, Robert Hawkins, Davy Drysdale
Seniors 'B1' Team - Cliff Wilson (M), Ian Wylie, Mark Porter, Clem Howard, Mark Stockton, Daren McColgan, Bill McIlroy
Seniors 'B2' Team - Mark Marsh (M), Hugh Regan, Robert Bowman, Rodney Patterson, Pat McKeown, Stephen Cully
Ladies 'A' Team - Eadie McFeeters (M), Julie Henderson, Mary McCourt, Jean McIlroy, Linzi McClelland, Alex Babb, Sara Greenberg
Ladies 'B' Team - Lesley Leddy (M), Kathy Leddy, Roisin Smith, Lyndsey Ruddock, Andrea Reid, Karen McCormick, Susan Graham, Sally Caughey
Under 23 'A' Team - John Lowry (M), David Patterson, Declan Duff, Lee Wright, Lee McIlreavy, Steven Carson
Under 23 'B' Team - Alec Irvine (M), Jake McCready, Ben McMorran, Andrew Macrory, Barry Cunningham, John Wilson,
Mens Specials Squad - John Clarke (M), Alan Bell, Clifford Healy, Robin Gilliland, Sammy Johnston, John Brown, John McIlvenna, Daniel Benson, Paddy Reid, Clifford McKendry, John McKillop, Jason McBride, Nigel Campbell, Eddie Huey, Mark Gray, Conrad McFeely, Alwyn Holmes, Jason McAfee, Alister Lynn, Martin McGuigan, Richard Hunter, Ryan Hynes, John Henderson
Ladies Specials Squad - Pauline Lynch (M), Valerie Taggart, Roisin Toner, Frances McCann, Susan O'Kane, Patricia McTasney, Grainne Cregan, Briege McFall

Next NIPA meeting

The next NIPA Committee meeting will be on Sunday 8th January 2012 at 13:00pm in the Railway Arms Bar in Coleraine (53 Railway Road, BT52 1PF)

Ladies Ranking Event

Congratulations to Elise Richardson, who won the latest Ladies ranking event held in Whitehead, Co. Antrim on Sunday 18th December. From a field of 21 participants, Elise came through to beat Sara Greenberg in the Final after defeating Roisin Smith in the Semis.

Sara, who is sponsored by Newtownabbey Borough Council, made the Final after a Last 4 win against newcomer Lyn Carson. She also has the satisfaction of regaining the position of No 1 ranked Lady in Northern Ireland Blackball Pool

The updated table can be viewed here

NI Team Managers Eadie McFeeters and Lesley Leddy will now select their International Squads for the forthcoming 2012 European Championships in England in March.

Top picture - Eadie McFeeters (left) presents Elise Richardson (centre) with her winners trophy. Runner Up Sara Greenberg is on the right

Bottom picture - Roisin Smith (Newcastle), Elise Richardson (Bangor), Sara Greenberg (Newtownabbey), Lyn Carson (Newtownabbey)

Our Condolences

The Committee of the NIPA would like to offer their condolences to our Chairman Trevor Harte on the death of his Mother, who passed away in the early hours of December 12th after a long illness.

NI Seniors Tour Event 3 and Ladies Tour Event 2

A big well done to Brian Crilly and Michelle Roonay on winning the Seniors Tour Event 3 and Ladies Tour Event 2 respectively on Sunday 11th December.

Brian beat Bill McIlroy in the Seniors Final in Shooters Pool Hall, Bangor and Michelle triumphed over Julie Henderson in the Kingfisher Bar, also in Bangor.

Seniors Final Result

Brian Crilly (Newtownards) 5-3 Bill McIlroy (Larne)

Ladies Final Result

Michelle Roonay (Enniskillen) 5-3 Julie Henderson (Coleraine)

The updated Seniors Leaderboard can be viewed here and the updated Ladies Leaderboard here

Under 23s 'B' Team Manager

We are planning to take an Under 23s 'B' Team to the 2012 European Championships in Bridlington in March. If anyone is interested in Managing the team, please email nipablackball@yahoo.co.uk with confirmation of your interest. Please state name, date of birth and telephone number. Closing date for applications is 6.00pm on Sunday 18th December 2011.

'A' Team Manager John Lowry has already selected his squad as follows -
Terry McDowell (Bangor), David Patterson (Bangor), Declan Duff (Lisburn), Lee Wright (Ballymena), Lee McIlreavy (Coleraine), Corey Sweeney (Coleraine), Steven Carson (Carrickfergus)