Blackball Competition in Ballymena

Ballymena cueist Gary Clarke is running a big Pool Competition in Minnesotas Snooker Club, Ballymena in November. Details below.

Where - Minnesota's Snooker Club, Ballymena
When - Saturday 14th November, Sunday 15th November
Who - Anyone can enter. First 64 only
Rules - Blackball
Tables - 4
Time - Registration 10.30am. Start 11.00am
How much - Entry fee £25, 100% payout.
Dress - Casual, but no football/gaelic tops
Up to - First Round race to 4, then up a frame per round
Bar - Yes

ANYONE WANTING FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Gary Clarke on 07922 560008

Northern Ireland Special Festival of Pool

The 2009 Northern Ireland Special Festival of Pool commences on Monday 16th November in the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine (pictured right) with play continuing through to Thursday 19th november. Now in its 17th year, the Festival which is once again supported by Coleraine Borough Council, affords the opportunity for people with learning difficulties, mental health problems and physical disabilities to compete both for National and International titles. With entries reaching a new height, the 2009 Festival is sure to be the highlight of the year for Pool players from the Special Schools and Day Centres of Northern Ireland.
Chairman of the Northern Ireland Special Pool Committee, Mr Robert Black, expressed his delight with the level of entries which he said spoke volumes for the reputation and organisation of the Festival. On behalf of all the players he thanked Coleraine Borough Council and the Lodge Hotel for their invaluable support of the event. he also expressed his gratitude to all Table sponsors and to the local volunteers who come and referee on a daily basis.
If anyone can help out with refereeing duties on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday this will be very much appreciated. Meals will be provided and anyone who can help out all day Tuesday and Wednesday will also have a free nights B&B supplied if needed.

MONDAY 16th NOVEMBER. 11.00am OFFICIAL INTRODUCTIONS 11.30am JUNIOR LEARNING DIFFICULTIES TEAM EVENTS, JUNIOR LEARNING DIFFICULTIES INDIVIDUALS 2.30pm ALL ABILITIES INDIVIDUALS

TUESDAY 17th NOVEMBER. 11.00am OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY 11.30am LEARNING DIFFICULTIES SENIOR TEAM EVENTS, LEARNING DIFFICULTIES LADIES TEAM EVENT, LEARNING DIFFICULTIES SOCIAL TEAM EVENT 7.00pm N.IRELAND INDIVIDUAL SPEED POOL RACES 8.00pm DOUBLES COMPETITION FEATURING THE N.IRELAND LADIES SENIOR INTERNATIONAL TEAM 9.30pm DISCO

WEDNESDAY 18th NOVEMBER. 11.00am LEARNING DIFFICULTIES SENIOR INDIVIDUALS, LEARNING DIFFICULTIES LADIES INDIVIDUALS, LEARNING DIFFICULTIES SOCIAL INDIVIDUALS 7.30pm INTERNATIONAL INDIVIDUALS 9.00pm DISCO

THURSDAY 19th NOVEMBER. 11.00am CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM & PLATE FINALS 11.45am CHAMPIONSHIPS INDIVIDUALS & PLATE FINALS 1.30pm TEAM SPEED POOL 3.00pm PRESENTATION CEREMONY

Catalonians invite NI players

The Catalonia Blackball Festival of Pool starts on Saturday 20th March 2010 with a party night which will be attended by Pool players from all over Europe. Finals will be held on Friday 26th March at 8pm followed by a "going away party" with departure on Saturday 27th March.

All main Pool events during the week will not start to 6pm, giving everyone plenty of time during the day for leisure or relaxation, such as a trip into Barcelona, Salou or Portaventura where you can enjoy Europes largest waterpark. Or you can just chill out at the nearby beach which is only 2 minutes walk away. There will also be a trip to the Nou Camp for the Barcelona v Osasuna La Liga match on the Wednesday. Golfing, karting and wine tasting at a local vineyard are also on the "to do list"

Main Pool Competitions are, Mens, Ladies, Mixed Doubles, Seniors, Cabbages and a 3 Person Team event which will consist of 1x 'A' listed player, 1x Lady or Junior and 1x other player drawn out of a hat. The venue is fantastic and a friendly welcome is guaranteed. What more could you want !!!! A great holiday with Pool Comps at night. The cost is 299 euros.

All details and booking forms are on the Festival website at www.cataloniapoolfestival.com

Any quieries or questions, ring Pat O'Kane on 07984 964498 or Ross McInnes on 07749 550440

Northern Ireland Schools Pool Championships

Coleraine Pool League are pleased to announce the Northern Ireland Schools Pool Championships. The 2 day event which is sanctioned by the NIPA will be played during the League's Festival week.

The venue is the luxurious function room of the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine, with 14 specially installed Competition Pool Tables supplied by Baize Craft of Lisburn. The National Individual Event will be held on Tuesday 23rd February starting at 10.30am with the Team Event taking place on Wednesday 24th February, again commencing at 10.30am. The estimated finishing time on each day is around 4.00pm. A specially prepared menu will be available at lunch time for those wishing to eat. No meals or drinks are allowed to be brought into the Hotel.

The entry fee into the Individual Event will be £5. This will enable a player to enter one of 3 categorised N.Ireland Schools Individual events and also a subsequent Plate for all 1st & 2nd Round losers. Matches in the main event will commence at best of 5 Frames, with the Plate event being played the best of 3 Frames.
In the Team Event a team will consist of 3 players at a cost of £15 per team. All matches in the Team event will be the best of 9 frames and again all 1st & 2nd Round losers shall play in a Plate event. The Team Events will also be played in age group categories. Winners and Runners Up in all main Championship events and subsequent Plate events will receive trophies.

Age categories as follows -
Under 19 on the 1st July 2009 - Under 17 on the 1st July 2009 - Under 15 on the 1st July 2009

All players entering will be required to be attired in dress trousers, polo shirt or dress shirt and dress shoes. No jeans, jogging bottoms, football tops, trainers etc can be worn.
These Championships are being designed to enable pupils of Secondary Schools and Colleges of Further Education across Northern Ireland to compete in National Individuals and National Team events.
All matches played to Blackball Rules as supported by the NIPA. For any further information required please call Chris Baxter on 07798 930302 or Trevor Harte on 07814 432753
Entry available through Schools and Colleges of Further Education only. Entry Forms and Introduction Letter can be requested by emailing nipablackball@yahoo.co.uk

EBA Masters, Bridlington 2010

The European Championships are just over, but already our thoughts are 6 months down the line to the EBA Masters in Bridlington in April, where we hope to build on our successful campaign in the Isle of Man. Teams are being selected at present and quite a few flights are booked already including ones won as prizes at the recent Qualifying Competition in the Park Plaza Hotel. Picking our teams early will give Team Managers plenty of time to arrange practice games and ensure team spirit is at a high as was the case in the Isle of Man. We also have various competitive Competitions before April, which can only benefit our players for when they play in the magnificent Spa Arena (pictured right)

'A' Squad - Darren Sterrett (Manager), Neil McKelvey, Willie Eakin, Lee Hull, Jason Heffron, Brian Hannaway, Declan Lavery, Raymond Baxter, Dee Irwin, Mark Hutchinson, Tom McCorry, Ryan Foster, Stephen Johnstone

CHAMPIONEES

It's a big congratulations to the Northern Ireland Mens 'A' and Seniors Pool Teams who have just returned from the European Championships in the Isle of Man. Our 'A' Team, of Darren Sterrett (Manager), Jason Heffron, Neil McKelvey, Willie Eakin and Lee Hull, surpassed all expectations by reaching the Final, where they were 13-7 RUNNERS UP to a World Class Scotland team which included the current World Masters title holder Scott Ross and the Legend and many times World Champion Ross McInnes. On route to the Final they played some fantastic pool, winning 6 and losing 3. They had some very noteable victories against Southern Ireland, England by a huge 19-6 margin, Scotland in the Group stages and current World Champions Wales in the Semis.

But our Seniors Team (Over 40s), pictured right, went one step further. The 5 Man Team of (left to right) Darren McColgan, Kenny English, Eric Sterrett (Captain), Robert Hawkins and John McIlreavey, stormed to the title of EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS 2009. They topped the group and went on to beat current World Champions Southern Ireland 13-7 in the Semi Finals. In a nail biting last frame decider against Scotland in the Final, it was Coleraine man McIlreavey who held his nerve with a long pressure black down the rail to give Northern Ireland a 13-12 victory and spark off scenes of wild celebrations in the magnificent Villa Marina venue. Hawkins also reached the Semi Finals of the Individuals.

Also well done to the 2 Mens 'B' Teams. Both Teams had hopes of qualification into the Semi Finals right up to and including the last group fixture. Derek Whiteside managed the B2 Team to 6th spot in the Group of 11, just behind the B1 Team managed by Willie Lucas, on frame difference. A special mention goes to Darren Whiteside. Darren who was sponsored by Newtownabbey Borough Council won an incredible 17 out of his last 18 frames with the B1s.

Whilst our Ladies finished well down their groups there are signs that the future may be a bit brighter with some new young players coming through to compliment the established experienced ones. Hopefully in Bridlington 2010 the Ladies can put on a good showing.

Our Special Needs Teams once again bore the fruits of the dedication of all the people involved in running the Teams. Our Mens Team hammered Scotland 13-2 in the Final, and our Ladies beat England 8-3 in their Final. Alan Bell (bottom) beat Paddy Reid 5-3 in the Individuals Final and Briege McFall (bottom right) beat Valerie Taggart in the Ladies.

It was an action packed week with an electric atmosphere, especially for Semi Finals and Finals day when our adopted anthem of "We're not Brazil, we're Northern Ireland" could be heard the length of the Douglas Promenade. Even the French and Spanish were singing it !!!!

A one hours highlights will be broadcast by Sky Sports in November.

Top scorers were as follows -
Mens A - D.Sterrett 71% L.Hull 60%
Mens B1 - D.Whiteside 77% S.McWhirter 63% W.Tedford 63%
Mens B2 - S.Hay 55% A.Toner & K.Hunter 52%
Seniors - D.McColgan 65% R.Hawkins 60%
Ladies A - E.Richardson 38% J.McIlroy 33% S.Graham 32%
Ladies B -

Results from European Championships

'A's
Won 16-9 v Isle of Man
Won 16-9 v Southern Ireland
Won 19-6 v England
Won 17-8 v Gibraltar
Lost 6-19 v Wales
Won 13-12 v Scotland
Lost 11-14 v Spain
Lost 11-14 v France FINISHED 3/9 IN GROUP & QUALIFIED FOR SEMI FINALS STAGE
Semi Final - Won 13-9 v Wales
Final - Lost 7-13 v Scotland EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS RUNNERS UP

'B1's
Won 13-8 v Northern Ireland B2s
Lost 9-12 v Spain B2s
Won 11-10 v England B2s
Lost 9-12 v England B1s
Won 12-9 v Scotland B2s
Lost 8-13 v Scotland B1s
Lost 8-13 v Wales B1s
Won 16-5 v Southern Ireland B1s
Won 11-10 v Southern Ireland B2s
Lost 10-11 v Spain B1s FINISHED GROUP 5/11

'B2's
Lost 8-13 v Northern Ireland B1s
Won 11-10 v Scotland B2s
Won 14-7 v Southern Ireland B2s
Won 11-10 v Southern Ireland B1s
Lost 7-14 Wales B1s
Won 11-10 v Spain B1s
Won 13-8 v Spain B2s
Lost 8-13 v Scotland B1s
Lost 9-12 v England B1s
Lost 5-16 v England B2s FINISHED GROUP 6/11

Seniors
Won 16-9 v Wales
Won 22-3 v Gibraltar
Lost 11-14 v France
Won 14-11 v England
Won 13-12 v Southern Ireland
Lost 12-13 v Scotland WON THE GROUP 1/7 & QUALIFIED FOR SEMI FINAL STAGE
Semi Final Won 13-7 v Southern Ireland
Final Won 13-12 v Scotland EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS

Ladies 'A'
Won 13-12 v Southern Ireland
Lost 9-16 v England
Lost 11-14 v Isle of Man
Lost 2-23 v France
Lost 11-14 v Gibraltar
Lost 2-23 v Wales
Lost 4-21 v Scotland FINISHED 7/8 IN GROUP

Ladies 'B'
Lost 7-14 v Wales B2s
Lost 8-13 v Scotland B2s
Lost 8-13 v England B2s
Lost 5-16 v Scotland B1s
Lost 10-11 v England FINISHED 6/6 IN GROUP

Mens Specials
Won 17-8 v England
Won 15-10 v Scotland QUALIFIED FOR FINAL
Final Won 13-2 v Scotland EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS

Ladies Specials
Won 12-3 v England
Won 11-4 v England
Final Won 8-3 v England EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS

All the best !!!

Good luck to all the lads and lassies traveling over this weekend with the 8 Northern Ireland teams, to the Isle of Man for the European Championships. Be a credit to your country, on and off the green baize !!!! For anyone wanting to catch some of the action there will be live streaming on the internet from Tuesday 29th September on Cuesport TV

Specials final warm up match

The NI Specials (left) completed their series of warm up matches for the European Championships, when they played a Coleraine League Select (right) in McNultys Bar. And what a show they put up only going down by 18-15 with the Coleraine lads winning each of the 3 sessions by the narrowest of margins of 6-5. Best scorers for the Specials were Paddy Reid on 3/3, followed by Clifford McKendry, Clifford Healy, Robin Gilliland and Jason McBride all on 2/3. Best for the Coleraine Select were Raymond Baxter and Keith Hunter, both on 3/3.

Well done Wayne

It's a big congratulations to Wayne Tedford from Portrush (pictured right). Wayne who is also a talented current Northern Ireland Blackball Pool player, has just won a prestigious Open Golf Tournament.
He ripped up the form book to win the North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship in style at Royal Portrush. The 26 year old defeated pre-tournament favourite Paul Cutler in front of a delighted home crowd.
Wayne has never been past the early rounds at the North of Ireland before but this time he was more composed than his experienced opponent.
As part of his preparation he had been playing regular rounds of golf on the Dunluce course with his dad Jackie and during the tournament he was able to call on help and advice from his caddy Chris Langford.
Since winning the North of Ireland Championship he has been rewarded with a call-up to the Ulster squad.
Wayne is traveling to the Isle of Man for the EBA European Pool Championships with us next week. We in the NIPA congratulate him on his win and wish him all the best in the future playing for Ulster.

Brian is on top of the World

Ballymena cueist Brian Hannaway (pictured right with NIPA Chairman Willie Lucas) has won a gruelling 2 day Competition which will decide the Northern Ireland team squads for the World Championships in Yorkshire, next April. He played awesome Pool and held his nerve to come through two play offs, going on to beat Antrim's Declan Lavery in the Final. Brian wins an 'A' Team squad place, return flights, accommodation and £250 spending money at the World Championships. Declan wins an 'A' Team squad place, return flights and £125 spending money, whilst Raymond Baxter from Coleraine and Jason Heffron from Newtownards both win 'A' Team squad places, free return flights and £50 spending money each.

There were 96 players entered at the event which was held in the splendid Park Plaza Hotel, Antrim. After playing 30 single frames each, the leaderboard was as follows. 23 J. Heffron. 22 R. Baxter, D. Lavery. 21 B. Hannaway, K. English, B. Crilly & T. McCorry. The four on 21 played off to determine the final 4 places and it was Hannaway who came through to enter the last 4 shootout.

Last 4
Brian Hannaway 4-2 Jason Heffron, Declan Lavery 4-3 Raymond Baxter
Final
Brian Hannaway 5-1 Declan Lavery

In the Ladies event, 24 players took part and it was current Northern Ireland Champion Claire Stewart from Antrim who won the 1st prize of an 'A' Team squad place, return flights and £100 spending money. Debby Murphy from Bangor won an 'A' Team squad place, return flights and £50 spending money. Claire won 13 from 15 and Debbie 12 from 15.

A breakdown of the stats can be seen on the left hand column at the bottom of the page.

The NIPA would like to thank our sponsor Darren Clarke from MOES GRILL at Junction One shopping outlet in Antrim. Also, the staff and management of the Park Plaza Hotel. And finally all the players for making this event a huge success.

2009 European Championships

The European Championship venue has been confirmed, and it will be heading to the splendid Villa Marina (pictured right) in the Isle of Man. Players will arrive on Saturday 26th September and depart on Saturday 3rd October. The opening ceremony is at 10.00am on Sunday 27th.
For more information and photos on the Villa Marina, click on iomguide.com

DETAILS TO FOLLOW BUT THIS EVENT WILL BE TELEVISED ON SKY SPORTS

The EBA will also he hosting the first Intercontinental Cup between Europe and Africa. Representing Northern Ireland for Team Europe will be: Mens - Neil McKelvey, Ladies - Elise Richardson, Seniors - John McIlreavey

Mens 'A' Team (5 Man Team)
Darren Sterrett, Jason Heffron, Lee Hull, Willie Eakin, Neil McKelvey
Mens B1 Team (7 Man Team)
Willie Lucas, Darren Whiteside, Colin Montgomery Sr, Clem Howard, Stephen McWhirter, Andy Arbuthnot, Wayne Tedford, John McMullan
Mens B2 Team (7 Man Team)
Derek Whiteside, Peter Leddy (Assistant), Tom McCorry, Paul Roberts, Keith Hunter, Steven Strain, Paul Harris, Ady Toner, Trevor Whiteside, Scott Hay.
Mens Senior Team (5 Man Team)
Eric Sterrett, John McIlreavey, Kenny English, Robert Hawkins, Darren McColgan,
Ladies 'A' Team (5 Lady Team)
Elise Richardson, Sally Newell-Caughey, Susan Graham, Jean McIlroy, Debby Walker, Eadith McFeeters
Ladies 'B' Team (7 Lady Team)
Lynsey Gardner, Kathy Leddy, MaryJo McCourt, Claire Webster, Karen McCormick, Alex Babb, Pamela Hamilton
Mens Specials (5 Man Team)
John Clarke, Robert Black (Assistant), Clifford Healy, Alan Bell, Trevor Mulholland, John Brown, Paddy Reid, Jim Patton, Nigel Campbell
Ladies Specials (3 Lady Team)
Pauline Lynch, Valerie Taggart, Briege McFaul, Frances McCann

NI Teams "Qualifiers Event"

SPONSORED BY, moesgrill Junction One Retail Outlet, Antrim - www.moesgrill.net - 028 9446 8283
..................Fantastic Food & Live Music.....................



THE MENS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT. WE ARE TAKING NAMES FOR A RESERVE LIST. PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF THE CONTACTS BELOW

STRICT DRESS CODE APPLIES FOR BOTH MENS AND LADIES EVENT. DRESS TROUSERS (Any colour, no jeans or combats etc) DRESS SHOES (Any colour, no trainers etc) SHIRT WITH COLLAR (Polo acceptable, no football shirts etc)

The NIPA will be staging an International Pool Qualifiers Competition. On the 11th, 12th & 13th of September 2009, we will be running Competitions in The Park Plaza Hotel, at Belfast International Airport. Entry will be £10 plus £7 Registration. The Competition will be run on a "Pyramid" type format of single frame pool, no elimination.

Mens (Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September, starting at 9.30am)
Winner - Paid flights + paid accommodation + £250 at the EBA World Masters Blackball Pool Championships, Bridlington, April 2010 + Automatic selection for NI Mens 'A' Team squad.
Runner up - Paid flights + £125 at the EBA World Masters Blackball Pool Championships, Bridlington, April 2010 + Automatic selection for NI Mens 'A' Team squad.
Semi Finalists - Paid flights + £50 at the EBA World Masters Blackball Pool Championships, Bridlington, April 2010 + Automatic selection for NI Mens 'A' Team squad.
Names and entry fees are being collected by - Willie Eakin 07834 211232, Robert Hawkins 07970 450050, Darren Sterrett 07881 870300 and Willie Lucas 07751 285277. Payment can be made in cash or by cheque made payable to N.I.P.A.

Ladies (Friday 11th September, starting at 7.00pm)
Winner - Paid flights + £100 at the EBA World Masters Blackball Pool Championships, Bridlington, April 2010 + Automatic selection for NI Ladies 'A' Team squad.
Runner Up Paid flights + £50 at the EBA World Masters Blackball Pool Championships, Bridlington, April 2010 + Automatic selection for NI Ladies 'A' Team squad.
Names and entry fees are being collected by - Debby Walker 07925 863578, Lesley Leddy 07870 509066 and Elise Richardson 07764 279396. Payment can be made in cash or by cheque made payable to N.I.P.A.

PARK PLAZA ROOM RATE - We have negotiated the following Room Rates for anyone wanting to stay over.
Double or Twin Rooms - £60 per room per night (normally £70) On a room only basis. Pay on arrival.
Double or Twin Rooms - £84 per room per night (normally £94) Bed & Breakfast. Pay on arrival.
Please contact Hugh Irvine, Reservations Manager to book any bedrooms on hirvine@parkplazabelfast.com or Telephone 028 94 457015.

Euro Championships warm up match

Our B1 Team had a very worthwhile warm up match on Sunday 23rd August. Their opponents were an Antrim League Select Team, most of whom were part of the current 2009 Interleague Champions, Sixmilewater. Included in their ranks was current NI Individual Blackball Champion Rab Fee. The impressive venue was Moes Grill in Antrim. The best of 21 frame match (3 Sessions of 7) kicked off with Antrim going into an early lead courtesy of RSmyth. The next 6 frames were traded one for one to give the Antrim lads a 4-3 lead after Session 1. But our lads responded well taking the first 5 frames in Session 2 which included good clearances from AArbuthnot and JMcMullan. Antrim took the last 2 to make the score after the 2nd Session 8-6 to the B1s. Darren Whiteside made it 9-6 with a fine clearance but RSmyth brought it back to 9-7 with an equally fine 8 ball clearance. The next 2 were shared to put the B1s on the hill at 10-8. And a few minutes later the victory was assured with a solid win from RHawkins. Antrim took the last 2 to make the final score, NI B1s 11-10 Antrim Select
Best point scorers were Darren Whiteside for the B1s on 3/3 and Rab Fee for Antrim on 3/3.

B1 Captain Willie Lucas thanked Darren Clarke from Moes Grill for staging the match and for providing a buffet at the interval.

5 Man Team Blackball Tournament

Whitehead Spartans who play in the Carrick & District Pool League hosted their 2nd Annual Pre Season Summer Blackball Team Tournament on Saturday 15th August. There were 16 players present who will be traveling to the Isle of Man next month with the NIPA Teams, so the highly competitive Pool was a welcome workout for them. There were 2 groups of 4 with the top 2 in each, progressing to the Semis. Last years Winners McBurneys from Bangor just missed out on a last 4 place by a single frame to host Team The Spartans. Carrick Select team The Scorpockers topped the group, with Eden also going out. In Group 2, a strong Antrim Select Team made their intentions known by strolling to top spot. Carrick team Castle (pictured right) finished a comfortable 2nd to secure their place in the last 4, as out went Monkstown and North Down & Ards Team Wanderers. But Castle showed no mercy in the first Semi, destroying Scorpockers 8-1. In the 2nd Semi, Antrim Select (pictured bottom right) beat home team The Spartans 8-6 in a close exciting match. Antrim started slight favourites in the Final, having beat Castle 6-4 in the group stages, but the match was neck and neck all the way and eventually came down to the final frame. It too could have gone either way but it was Colin Montgomery who sunk the final black of the day to give the Carrick lads a nailbiting victory by 8-7 and the £300 Winners prize.

Joint top point scorers were Dee Irwin (Castle) & Stephen McWhirter (Spartans) both on 8 wins from 9, followed by Rab Fee from Antrim on 9 wins from 11. Irwin also had an awesome 4 straight break & dishes in his first 4 frames.

B1s warm up with win

The Rowallane Inn Pool Team from Saintfield, who play in the East Down Pool League, entertained the Northern Ireland B1 Pool Team (pictured right) on Tuesday 11th August, in a warm up match before the European Championships. It was the B1s first get together since the summer break and a very useful exercise for Manager Willie Lucas to assess his squad. The first session was played to EUKPF Rules as played by East Down League and the second to Blackball Rules as played by 7 local Leagues in NI and by NIPA teams at International Events.
But it didn't go according to plan early on as the home side deservedly strolled into a 2-0 lead. But back came the B1s to level at 2-2. The next 2 frames were shared to make it 3-3 before the NI boys took the next 2 to lead 5-3 at the interval. Rowallane won the first frame in the 2nd session, but it was to be their last of the evening as the B1s reeled off 7 in a row to win the session 7-1 giving a final result of Rowallane Inn 4-12 NI 'B1s'

Colin Montgomery thanked the Rowallane Inn for inviting us down and for providing sandwiches for the Teams at the interval.

Ladies 'B' Team Manager

Applications are being taken for the position of Ladies 'B' Team Manager which will come into effect straight after the European Championships in the Isle of Man.

Please email: nipablackball@yahoo.co.uk with your name and contact number.
Closing date for applications is 9th October 2009

Friendly Matches

The Northern Ireland Specials Mens Team (pictured right) met an NI 'B' & Seniors Select Team in a best of 39 warm up match for the European Championships. The venue was Whitehead GRSC. The Specials got off to a great start, leading 4-1, but back came the Select team to lead 8-5 after the first session. The 2nd & 3rd sessions also went the Select teams way by 9-4 & 10-3 scorelines to give an overall result of 27-12. Best for the Select team were K.English, A.Toner & T.Whiteside all on 5/5 followed by J.McIlreavey & R.Hawkins both on 3/4. J.Brown, C.Healy & T.Mulholland excelled for the Specials, the trio winning 2/3.


The Ladies 3 A Side match (both teams pictured right) was a very close fought affair. Again the Specials Team took an early advantage, racing into a 2-0 lead. But 4 in a row, 1 for E.Richardson, 1 for D.Walker and 2 for M.McCourt on her NI debut gave the NI Ladies a 4-2 lead with only 3 to play. But the Specials weren't for lying down and wins from V.Taggart & B.McFaul ensured that the match would go to the deciding 9th frame. It was a tight frame but NI Ladies 'A' Team Captain E.Richardson got her side over the line for a 5-4 win.

Vice President

Trevor Harte long time servant to the game of Pool in Northern Ireland, has accepted the position of Vice President offered to him at our Committee Meeting held on Sunday 9th August. Trevor's association with the NIPA goes back a long way and we're delighted to have him on board again. Recently Trevor has been working with the NI Specials Teams as Treasurer and as Competitions Secretary for the European Blackball Association.

B1s Poker Night

The Northern Ireland B1 team ran a very successful Fundraiser Poker Night in Burnfield Golf Club (pictured right) last night, Friday the 31st July. As usual Colin Montgomery ran the evenings entertainment to perfection as near 40 players tried to bet and bluff their way to the top prize. And at precisely 1.30am, it was Davy Wilson from Antrim who won the last chip and took the £400 winners prize. 2nd was Derry Weir from Larne who won £175, 3rd Mark Taylor, Glengormely £100, 4th Ed McDowell, Whitehead, £75, 5th Darren Whiteside, Newtownabbey, £50 and 6th Derek Whiteside, Greenisland, £10 and a meal for 2 in Burnfield Golf Club.