Bridlington Warm Up Tournament

Shooters Pool Hall in Bangor, County Down will host a 4 team Tournament on Friday 2nd March at 7.00pm, as a warm up for players going to Bridlington (pictured right) in March. Teams participating as follows -

Northern Ireland Seniors 'A' Team
Northern Ireland Mens B1 Team
Shooters Select
CD Club Select

** IMPORTANT **

Unfortunately we have to reschedule our flagship event, the 2012 Northern Ireland Mens Individual Championships. 

The Competition was due to be hosted by Coleraine Pool League and held in the Lodge Hotel on Saturday 24th March. But a mix up in the dates between the League and the Hotel means we are no longer able to play on the said date.

At present we are working on new arrangements and will post any information on this site as soon as it becomes available.

Ladies Blackball Tour Event 3

Well done to Coleraine's Julie Henderson, who has just won Event 3 of  the Ladies NI Blackball Pool Tour. From a field of 15 Julie faced Mary Cunningham in the Final and played magnificent pool to record a 5-0 win.

Mary still retains Number 1 spot on 39 points, Julie moves up to 2nd on 33 points and in 3rd and 4th are Sara Greenberg and Claire Stewart on 30 and 24 points respectively.

Full updated table can be viewed here

Blackball Tour Event 4

What a Final we had in Event 4 of the Main Pool Tour in the Kingfisher Bar, Bangor on Sunday 12th February.

Ronan McCarthy trailed Dee Irwin by 3-6, but came back to win 7-6 in a thrilling match. Terry McDowell is still at Number 1 spot with Sam Newell in 2nd. McCarthy moves up to 3rd and Irwin is close behind in 4th. Full table here.

Due to a date change in the tour schedule, to qualify for finals day players need only play in 5 out of the 8 events now, instead of 6.

Bridlington Warm Up Tournament

Derek Whiteside's Mens B1 Team won the 3 team 9-a-side Tournament held in Ballymena United Social Club on Sunday 12th February, but only just. Results as follows -

Mens B2 20-7 Under 23s & Seniors Select
Mens B1 14-13 Under 23s & Seniors Select
Mens B1 14-13 Mens B2

Top Scorers -
Mens B1 - Gary Wallace 75%
Mens B2 - Gary Johnston 83%
Under 23s & Seniors - William Irvine 66%

Individuals
Mens B1 Individual Winner - Scott Hay (North Down)
Mens B2 Individual Winner - Jonny Thompson (North Belfast)
Under 23s & Seniors Individual Winner - Rodney Patterson (North Down)

McCarthy lifts the Seniors title

Congratulations to Ronan McCarthy who is the new 2012 Northern Ireland Seniors Individual Champion. 

Ronan who is also current Northern Ireland Mens Individual Champion defeated Stephen Johnston 5-2 in the Final of the Competition which was held in Ballymena United Social Club on Saturday 11th February.

From a field of 27, Ronan made his way to the final defeating Robert Hawkins 4-2, Sam Newell 4-1, Raymond Stockman 4-1 and Paul O'Connor 5-2. Stephens path was wins over John Tennyson 4-0, Hugh Regan 4-1 and Alan Johnston 5-4.

Final
Ronan McCarthy (Newtownards) 5-2 Stephen Johnston (Lisburn)

Frames
McCarthy, Johnston, McCarthy, Johnston, McCarthy, McCarthy, McCarthy

In the photo - Ronan (left) and (Stephen right) with their trophies 
Thanks go to TD Trevor Harte and to the staff of Ballymena United SC

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, Herbie O' Neil, Scott Hay, Steven Carson, Gary Wallace, Jonny Johnston
Mens 'B2' Team - Peter Leddy (M), Gee Crawley, Trevor Whiteside, 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, Bill McIlroy, Robert Bowman
Seniors 'B2' Team - Mark Marsh (M), Hugh Regan, Rodney Patterson, Pat McKeown, Stephen Cully, Hugh McMurtry
Ladies 'A' Team - Eadie McFeeters (M), Julie Henderson, Mary McCourt, Jean McIlroy, Linzi McClelland, Alex Babb, Sara Greenberg, Susan Graham
Ladies 'B' Team - Lesley Leddy (M), Kathy Leddy, Roisin Smith, Lyndsey Ruddock, Andrea Reid, Karen McCormick, Sally Caughey, Lyndsey Gardner
Under 23 'A' Team - John Lowry (M), David Patterson, Declan Duff, Lee Wright, Lee McIlreavy, Steven Carson, Warner Johnston
Under 23 'B' Team - Alec Irvine (M), Jake McCready, Andrew Macrory, Barry Cunningham, John Wilson, William Irvine, Daniel Macaule, Ben McMoran
Mens Specials Squad - John Clarke (M), Robin Gilliland, Sammy Johnston John McIlvenna, Paddy Reid, Clifford McKendry, John McKillop, Jason McBride, Eddie Huey, Mark Gray, Conrad McFeely, Alwyn Holmes, Jason McAfee, Alister Lynn, Martin McGuigan, Ryan Hynes
Ladies Specials Squad - Pauline Lynch (M), Valerie Taggart, Roisin Toner, Frances McCann, Susan O'Kane, Patricia McTasney, Grainne Cregan, Briege McFall

Northern Ireland 2012 Seniors Championship

The Seniors 2012 Individual Championship takes place this coming Saturday with details of entry below. Pictured right is 2011 Winner, Darren Sterrett from Bangor. A good turnout is expected with Raymond Stockman, Davy McGurn, Stephen Johnston, Kenny English and John Tennyson all being tipped as possible Title winners.

Please note Registration closing time of 11:00am.
The tables will be available from 10:00am for practice.

What - 2012 Northern Ireland Seniors Individual Championship
When - Saturday 11th February 2012
Where - Ballymena United Social Club
Time - Registration closes at 11:00 am
Cost - £15 if affiliated, £20 if not (pay on the day)
Who - Open to anyone who is eligible to represent Northern Ireland at Blackball
Age - Players must be over 42 on 1st January 2012 (please bring proof of age)
Dress code - N.I.P.A dress code applies
Format - Knockout

Bridlington warm up Competition

The N.I.P.A will be holding a warm up Competition for some of our teams travelling to the European Championships in Bridlington.

It will be held in Ballymena United Social Club (pictured right) on Sunday 12th February 2012 with a 1:00pm start.

Sections attending are Under 23s, Seniors and Mens 'B's.

Special Pool Team Cup Results

Northern Ireland Special Pool section, held their annual Teams Cup in Ballymena United Social Club last week. The Competition was a great success, results below.

NISP Team Cup Winners - Rathmoyle Resource Centre, Ballycastle
NISP Teams Cup Runners Up - Mountfern Adult Centre, Coleraine


NISP Social Team Cup Winners - Bayview Resource Centre 'A' Team, Bangor
NISP Social Team Cup Runners Up - Bayview Resource Centre 'B' Team, Bangor



Top photo - Rathmoyle Resource Cente 
Bottom photo - Bayview Resource Centre 'A' Team

Hull & Henderson lift the title

Well done to Lee Hull & Julie Henderson who have just become the 2012 Northern Ireland Mixed Doubles Champions. 18 teams entered the Competition which was held in the Ballymena United Social Club on Sunday 5th January. After beating 2011 Winners Dee Irwin & Sara Greenberg 4-1 in the Semi Finals, Hull & Henderson faced Rab Fee and Claire Stewart in the Final. Rab & Claire had made their way to the Final with a 12-0 wins to losses margin.

Final
Lee Hull (Coleraine) & Julie Henderson (Coleraine) 4-2 Rab Fee (Antrim) & Claire Stewart (Antrim)

Frames
Fee/Stewart, Hull/Henderson, Fee/Stewart, Hull/Henderson, Hull/Henderson, Hull/Henderson

In the photo - TD Pauline Lynch (centre) presents Julie and Lee with their Winners trophies

McCarthy and Newell edge it in a thriller

Congratulations to Ronan McCarthy and Sam Newell (pictured right). The pair from North Down are the 2012 Northern Ireland Mens Doubles Champions. They came through a very strong field of 24 teams with some of the countries top players, to lift the title in the Ballymena United Social Club on Saturday 4th February.

But it looked very unlikely right up to the end of the 13th and deciding frame in the Final. Opponents Neil McKelvey and Darren Sterrett, who had been on top form all day led 5-1 and 6-4, but just couldn't get over the line as McCarthy and Newell regained the trophy they last held in 2010.

Final
Ronan McCarthy (Newtownards) & Sam Newell (Bangor) 7-6 Neil McKelvey (Larne) & Darren Sterrett (Bangor)

Frame 01 - 0-1 Tactical frame finished off by Sterrett
Frame 02 - 0-2 McKelvey takes advantage of a dry break with an 8 ball clearance
Frame 03 - 0-3 Pinpoint positional clearance from Sterrett
Frame 04 - 1-3 Break & Dish from McCarthy
Frame 05 - 1-4 Break & Dish from McKelvey
Frame 06 - 1-5 Again McKelvey clears the table from a dry break
Frame 07 - 2-5 McCarthy clears the table from opponents dry break
Frame 08 - 3-5 Newell finishes frame off to reduce the arrears to two
Frame 09 - 4-5 McCarthy sinks the black to pull another one back
Frame 10 - 4-6 Clinical finish from McKelvey puts his team on the hill
Frame 11 - 5-6 McCarthy with another 8 ball finish from a dry break
Frame 12 - 6-6 Hill, hill as a great pressure black from Newell takes it to the deciding frame
Frame 13 - 7-6 McCarthy and Newell looked in big trouble but a difficult red onto a yellow follow in changed the frame around and McCarthy went on to run them out to seal a tremendous comeback

Thanks to TD Pauline Lynch, to Referee Kathy Leddy and to the staff of the Ballymena United Social Club

Northern Ireland Doubles Championships (Mens and Mixed)

The 2012 Northern Ireland Mens and Mixed Doubles Championships, take place this coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday 4th & 5th February respectively. Pictured right are current Mens Champions Davy Tosh and Lee Caulfield, both from Coleraine, and below Mixed Doubles Champions Dee Irwin (Belfast) and Sara Greenberg (Newtownabbey)

Details of entry are below. Please note registration closing times.


What - 2012 Mens Northern Ireland Doubles Championships
When - Saturday 4th February 2012
Where - Ballymena United SC
Time - Registration closes at 11:30am (for both players)
Cost - £15 per team if NIPA affiliated, or £20 unaffiliated
Who - Open to anyone who is eligible to play for Northern Ireland
Dress code - NIPA dress code applies
Format - Ordinary Doubles, Knockout



What - 2012 Northern Ireland Mixed Doubles Championships
When - Sunday 5th February 2012
Where - Ballymena United SC
Time - Registration closes at 11:30am (for both players)
Cost - £10 per team if NIPA affiliated, or £12.50 unaffiliated
Who - Open to anyone who is eligible to play for Northern Ireland
Dress code - NIPA dress code applies
Format - Scotch Doubles, Knockout

Julie & Sara Double Delight

Congratulations to Julie Henderson (Coleraine). and Sara Greenberg (Newtownabbey). The duo are the new 2012 Northern Ireland Ladies Blackball Doubles Champions. After a stamina draining day in Ballymena United SC on Sunday 29th January, they overcame Michelle and April Roonay from Enniskillen by 5-1 in the Final to claim the title. Sara, who is sponsored by Newtownabbey Borough Council, had also reached the Final of the Ladies Individuals last weekend.

Frames
Greenberg/Henderson Greenberg/Henderson Roonay/Roonay Greenberg/Henderson Greenberg/Henderson Greenberg/Henderson

Photo - Julie (left) and Sara (right) receive their trophies from Referee Kathy Leddy

Main NI Tour Event 3

Well done to 23 year old Terry McDowell who beat Sam Newell 6-5 in Event 3 of the Main NI Pool Tour on Sunday 29th January in Shooterts Pool Hall, Bangor.

Newell had a difficult black to win 6-3, but hung it over the middle for McDowell to bring it back to 4-5. McDowell broke and dished in the 10th and went on to win a tactical 11th and deciding frame. Terry's win moves him up to top spot in the rankings with Sam 9 points behind in 2nd position. Updated leaderboard will appear here shortly.

Frames
McDowell, McDowell, Newell, Newell, McDowell, Newell, Newell, Newell, McDowell, McDowell, McDowell

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.