McDowell is the Master

Congratulations to Ed McDowell who has just been crowned N.I.P.A Masters Champion 2012. The 30 year old from Carrickfergus took the title in the Kingfisher Bar, Bangor on Sunday 20th May.

His path to victory included a nailbiting 5-4 win over reigning Masters Winner Ronan McCarthy from Ards in the Semi Final.
He then went on to beat Larne's Ellis Martin by 6-3 in an exciting Final, the duo happen to be team mates, both playing for Whitehead Spartans in the Carrick & District Pool League.

McDowell qualified for the Event as 2011 Carrick Individual Champion and Martin as 2012 Carrick and 2012 Larne Seniors Individual Champion

Results

1st Round
N.McKelvey 5-2 D.Duff; E.Martin 5-3 J.Tennyson; E.McDowell 5-2 P.Houston; R.McCarthy 5-1 W.Irvine; K.English 5-3 W.Johnston; G.Neeson 5-2 E.Richardson; Byes R.Christie & V.Taggart
Last 8
R.McCarthy 5-4 N.McKelvey; E.McDowell 5-3 R.Christie; K.English 5-2 V.Taggart; E.Martin 5-3 G.Neeson
Semi Final
E.McDowell 5-4 R.McCarthy; E.Martin 5-4 K.English
Final 
E.McDowell 6-3 E.Martin

Frames

McDowell, McDowell, McDowell, Martin, McDowell, Martin, Martin, McDowell, McDowell

In the photo
New Masters Champion Ed McDowell on the right and Runner Up Ellis Martin, left

The NIPA Masters

The 2012 NIPA Masters Individual Competition will be played on Sunday 20th May in the Kingfisher Bar, Bangor. Registration closing time is 12:00 noon. For the Masters we invite the various Individual Champions of all NIPA affiliated Leagues to battle it out to a finish to earn the title of NIPA Masters Champion. Below is a list of all eligble players and how they qualified.

What - 2012 NIPA Masters
When - Sunday 20th May 2012
Where - Kingfisher, Bangor (open from 11:15am)
Time - Registration closes at 12:00noon sharp
Who - Invitational to NIPA affiliated Leagues
Cost - Free
Payout - £100 winner takes all
Format - Knockout
Dress code -Yes, full NIPA

Jonny Mackay - Ballyclare Individual Champion
Philip Houston - Ballyclare Under 23 Champion
Gary Neeson - Ballyclare Seniors Champion
Irene Curran - Ballyclare Ladies Champion
Harry Eagleson - Ballymena Seniors Champion
Kenny English - Carrick Individual Champion & Larne Individual Champion 
Ed McDowell - Carrick 2011 Individual Champion*
Jean McIlroy - Carrick Ladies Champion
Davy Tosh - Coleraine Individual Champion
Paul Baird - Coleraine Seniors Champion
Marc Hutchinson - Coleraine Under 23 Champion
John Tennyson - Crumlin Individual & Seniors Champion
Raymond Christie - Crumlin Under 23 Champion
Neil McKelvey - Larne 2011 Individual Champion *
Ellis Martin - Larne & Carrick Seniors Champion
William Irvine - Larne Under 23 Champion
Ronan McCarthy - ND&A Individual Champion, NI Seniors Champion & Current Masters and NI Individual Champion
Elise Richardson - ND&A Ladies Champion
John Brown - NI Specials Mens Individual Champion
Valerie Taggart - NI Specials Ladies Individual Champion
Warner Johnston - NI Under 23 Champion
Declan Duff - NI Under 18 Champion
Michelle Roonay - NI Ladies Champion

In the picture, current NI Master Ronan McCarthy receives his trophy from the NIPA's Pauline Lynch

* 2011 Carrick & Larne Individual Champions omitted last year due to Competition dates

Seniors Tour Finals Day

All 8 Events in The Seniors NI Blackball Tour run by Shooters Sports Bar and The Kingfisher Bar in Bangor have now been completed. A great Finals Day is in prospect when the top 16 players play off for Trophies and Prize Money.

What - Seniors 2011/2012 Blackball Tour Finals Day
Where - Shooters Sports Bar, Bangor
When - Sunday 17th June 2012
Cost - Free
Who - Top 16 from Tour
Format - Straight knockout, all matches best of 17 (Race to 9)
Dress code - Yes, as NIPA
Prize fund - See below
Trophies - Winner & Runner Up
Time slots - Yes

The seeded draw for Finals Day is as follows
11:00am Sam Newell (North Down) v Ian Wylie (North Down)
11:00am Kenny Geddis (Lisburn) v Robert Bowman (Newtownards)
11:00am David McGurn (Strabane) v Jimmy McCullough (North Down)
11:00am Jim Taylor (North Down) v David Drysdale (Newtownards)
12:30pm Stephen Johnston (Lisburn) v Eric Sterrett (North Down)
12:30pm Bill McIlroy (Larne) v Kenny English (Carrickfergus)
12:30pm Robert Hawkins (Larne) v Rodney Patterson (North Down)
12:30pm Hugh McMurtry (Larne) v Raymond Stockman (Coleraine)

Prize fund breakdown
Winner (x1) - £700
Runner Up (x1) - £360
Semi Finalists (x2) - £200
Quarter Finalists (x4) - £100
Last Sixteen (x8) - £50

All players must attend on Finals Day to be eligible for Prize Money

Please watch this space for any alterations or more details

8th and Final Seniors Blackball Tour Event

Congratulations to Sam Newell who has won the 8th and final Seniors Blackball Tour event. In the Competition run by Shooters Sports Bar and The Kingfisher Bar in Bangor, Newell defeated Robert Bowman 5-4, Bill McIlroy 5-0 and Davy McGurn 5-3 in the Semi Final to reach the Final against the improving Rodney Patterson. Patterson's path to the Final was 5-0 against Kenny Geddis, 5-1 against Stephen Johnston and 5-2 in the Semi Final against Robert Hawkins.

Final
Sam Newell (North Down) 6-3 Rodney Patterson (North Down)

Frames
Newell, Newell, Newell, Patterson, Patterson, Newell, Patterson, Newell, Newell

Sam tops the heap after all 8 Events on 79 points. In 2nd is Raymond Stockman from Coleraine on 71 with Lisburn's Stephen Johnston on 65. The leaderboard of the top 16 players who qualify for Finals Day on Sunday June 17th in Shooters can be viewed here

Last Seniors Tour Event this Sunday

This Sunday (13th May) sees the 8th and final NI Seniors Blackball Tour Event run jointly by Shooters Sports Bar & The Kingfisher Bar. Entries close at 1:00pm and the Competition takes place in the Kingfisher Bar beside Bloomfield Shopping Centre, Bangor. After Event 8, the top 16 players will enter a seeded draw to play for the Prize Money on Finals Day which will take place in Shooters on Sunday 17th June. Draw, format and distribution of Prize Money will be posted here after Sundays Competition.

Leading the way after Event 7 is Coleraine's Raymond Stockman on 64 points. Sam Newell from Bangor is close behind on 63, followed by Lisburn's stephen Johnston on 58. The full up to date table can be viewed here

THE BIG ONE !!

We are now taking entries for the prestigious 2012 Northern Ireland Mens Individual Championship. The Competition will be held on Sunday 11th November. Only payment secures entry, last year we had to close entries at 128 players.

Among previous winners are some of the best players in the local game, past and present. Names such as John Columb, Paul Doran, Michael McQuillan, Stephen Audley, Trevor White, Sam Newell, Danny Kinney, Frankie Brammeld, Brian Crilly, Rab Fee, Neil McKelvey and the current holder Ronan McCarthy.

What - The 2012 Mens Northern Ireland Individual Championship
Where - The Lodge Hotel, Coleraine
When - Sunday 11th November
Time - Registration closing time TBC
Dress code - NIPA Competition dress code
Format - Knockout
Tables -14
Prize fund - Dependent on entries
Who - Open to anyone who is eligible to represent NI at Blackball Pool
Cost for pay in advance - £15 affiliated, £20 non affiliated.
Cost for pay on the day - £17.50 affiliated, £22.50 non affiliated.
Entry for players selecting "pay on the day" is subject to spaces being available.

Pictured above - 2011 Runner Up Gary Clarke from Ballymena, who will be hoping to go one step further this time

How to enter - Call one of the persons below to arrange payment (name will not be entered until payment received)
Robert Hawkins - 07970 450050
Trevor Harte - 07814 432753
Darren Sterrett - 07881 870300

Paid entrants so far (21)

Sam Newell, Neil McKelvey, Robert Hawkins, Clem Howard, Michael Wilson, Tyler McConnell, Raymond Stockman, Billy Moore, Johnny Mackay, Darren Sterrett, John Wilson, Craig Laughlin, Peter Leddy, Paul McAlister, Bill McIlroy Jr, Kenny English, Stephen McWhirter, Gary Neeson, Stephen Burns, Paddy Lynch, Neil Campbell

Super Castle in Carrick clean sweep

Castle Pool Team (pictured right) from the Carrick & District Pool League and captained by NI 'B1' Manager Derek Whiteside, have retained the WILLIE LUCAS SUPER 7s trophy in incredible style with a win ratio of 44-14 on their way to victory in Shooters Sports Bar, Bangor on Sunday 6th May.

In the Final, they blew away Raymond Stockman's Coleraine team and Tournament favourites The Bannsiders, by an 8-3 margin to lift the £500 top prize.

And to make it a fantastic day for the Carrick Pool League, The Rockers Pool Team, captained by Rab Butler, won the Plate event , beating North Down Team, The Chameleons 8-4 in their Final. Other Carrick Pool Team The Scorpions finished 3rd in the Main Event.



Group A results
Session 1 - Coast Road 4-3 Under 23s, Bannsiders 7-0 Crumlin, Chameleons 4-3 B/C Mayfair
Session 2 - Chameleons 4-3 Under 23s, Crumlin 4-3 B/C Mayfair, Bannsiders 6-1 Coast Road
Session 3 - Under 23s 4-3 Bannsiders, Coast Road 5-2 B/C Mayfair, Crumlin 5-2 Chameleons
Session 4 - Crumlin 5-2 Under 23s, Coast Road 4-3 Chameleons, Bannsiders 6-1 B/C Mayfair
Session 5 - B/C Mayfair 5-2 Under 23s, Bannsiders 4-3 Chameleons, Crumlin 4-3 Coast Road

Group A standings
9 Bannsiders, 8 Crumlin, 7 Coast Road, 6 Chameleons, 4 B/C Mayfair, 4 Under 23s  

Group B results
Session 1 - Castle 4-3 Rockers, Shooters Sharks 7-0 NI Ladies, Scorpions 7-0 Doagh Swifts
Session 2 - Castle 5-2 Scorpions, Doagh Swifts 5-2 NI Ladies, Rockers 4-3 Shooters Sharks
Session 3 - Castle 7-0 NI Ladies, Scorpions 4-3 Rockers, Shooters Sharks 5-2 Doagh Swifts
Session 4 - Castle 5-2 Shooters Sharks, Rockers 5-2 Doagh Swifts, Scorpions 6-1 NI Ladies
Session 5 - Castle 7-0 Doagh Swifts, Scorpions 6-1 Shooters Sharks, Rockers 7-0 NI Ladies


Group B standings
10 Castle, 8 Scorpions (+15), 8 Rockers (+9), 5 Shooters Sharks, 2 Doagh Swifts, 0 NI Ladies

Main Event Semi Finals
Castle 8-4 Crumlin, Bannsiders 8-4 Scorpions

Main Event Final
Castle 8-3 Bannsiders

Main Event 3rd & 4th Place Play Off
Scorpions 8-7 Crumlin


Plate Event Semi Finals
Rockers 8-5 Coast Road, Chameleons 8-6 B/C Mayfair

Plate Event Final
Rockers 8-4 Chameleons

Many thanks to Shooters owner John Lowry and to Tournament Organisers Trevor Harte and Pauline Lynch

Affiliated League fundraiser

 

Well done to the efforts of everyone involved in the Larne Pool League in raising the sum of £577 for the League's nominated Annual Charity Donation.


This years appeal raised the money for 7 year old local girl Caitlyn McAllister who has a very rare condition and needs 24 hour care and attention. Handing over the cheque on behalf of the League to Caitlyn's dad Gary are Bill McIlroy Sr (League Chairman, centre) and his son Bill McIlroy Jr (left).


The grand total was raised with a very well attended quiz night held in the Pigeon Club and a fun Pool Night between teams from Larne, Carrick and Crumlin Leagues


You can read about Caitlyn on her website here

Willie Lucas SUPER 7s Draw

The draw has been made for the Willie Lucas Super 7s Competition to be held this Sunday 6th May in Shooters Sports Bar, Bangor. Full details in post below.

GROUP 1

Coast Road, Bannsiders, Ballyclare Mayfair, The Chameleons, Larne U23 Select, Crumlin Blackballers

GROUP 2

Shooters Sharks, The Rockers, The Castle, Doagh Swifts, NI Ladies, The Scorpions

Format
Top 2 teams from each group qualify for Semi Finals
Remaining 8 teams to contest Plate Event
All Group matches 'Best of 7 Frames' with all frames played out
2 points awarded for a win
1 point awarded to a team losing by 4 frames to 3 frames
Tournament Directors decision final

Team Managers - Be aware of the registration details which can be viewed in post below and remind all players off the NIPA dress code which must be adhered to. Thank you.

Anyone wishing to enter the Mens 2012 Northern Ireland Championships can forward their name at top table with appropriate fee

Pictured above - 2011 winners, Castle (Carrick League) with Dayne Lucas (in blue), Willie's son

Willie Lucas Memorial 2012 Super 7s

 

 **SOLD OUT, NO MORE SPACES LEFT**

When - Sunday 6th May 2012
Where - Shooters Pool Hall, Bangor (8 Supreme tables)
Time - Registration closes 10.45am sharp. Starts 11am. Teams must have 5 players present to register.
Rules - Blackball
Cost - £100 per team if League affiliated to NIPA or £125 per team if League not affiliated.
Prize Money - Dependant on entries
Format - Dependant on number of teams
Dress Code - NIPA Competition Dress Code
Closing date - Pay on the day but pre register team name as limited spaces

Teams can register up to 10 players but all players must be registered to the same League and have played for a team in that League on at least 3 occasions  in the 2010/2011 season. (this rule does not apply to Specials, Under 23s or Ladies teams) Each team may have 1 wild card of any overseas based NI player who played in the EBA European Masters at Bridlington this year.

To register, ring Robert on 07970 450050 or email nipablackball@yahoo.co.uk

Teams entered so far
Shooters Sharks (ND&A League, John Lowry)
Coast Road (Larne League, Robert Hawkins)
Crumlin Blackballers (Crumlin League, Mark Davidson)
The Rockers (Carrick League, Rab Butler)
Larne U23 Select (Larne League, Alec Irvine)
Ballyclare Mayfair (Ballyclare League, Kyle Kirkwood)
The Castle (Carrick League, Derek Whiteside)
Doagh Swifts (Ballyclare League, Craig Laughlin)
Bannsiders (Coleraine League, Raymond Stockman)
NI Ladies (NI Ladies Select, Eadie McFeeters)
The Scorpions (Carrick League, Jonny Thompson)
The Chameleons (ND&A League, Warner Johnston)

Previous Winners
2011 The Castle, (Carrick League, Derek Whiteside)
2010 Forge Bar (Coleraine League, Willie Eakin)

Fee wins Blackball Event 6

Well done to Rab Fee, who has just won his 1st Blackball Tour in Event Number 6. Rab got to the Final with wins against Rab Brown, John Lowry, and Herbie O'Neil. And it was an all Antrim Town Final as he edged out his great friend Declan Lavery by a 7-6 margin. The Competition was held in Shooters Sports Bar, Bangor on Sunday 29th April. Bangor's Terry McDowell still leads the way on 56 points, followed by Ronan McCarthy on 52 and Dee Irwin on 44. With only 2 Events to go until Finals Day the updated table can be viewed here.

Blackball NI Tour Event 6

This Sunday 29th April sees Event 6 of the Open NI Pool Tour run in partnership by Shooters Pool & Sports Bar and the Kingfisher Bar in Bangor. After 5 events Terry McDowell leads the way on 56 points from Ronan McCarthy on 52. Dee Irwin and Sam Newell are joint 3rd on 40.

To qualify for Finals Day on Sunday 24th June, players must have played in 5 out of 8 Events. Players who can still qualify for Finals Day but have missed the maximum 3 are as follows Tommy Morrow, Drew Sloan, John Rodgers, David Patterson, Kenny English, Robert Hawkins, Wayne Lewis, Willie Morton, Ben Nesbitt, Declan McMullan and Ryan Foster

This Sundays Competition takes place in Shooters Pool & Sports Bar with an 11:00am start.

The up to date ranking table can be viewed here

AGM

The N.I.P.A. would like to welcome Jean McIlroy on board as our new Treasurer. Jean has many years experience in the Pool scene and will be an asset to the Committee. Trevor Harte was re-elected as Chairperson and Robert Hawkins as Secretary. Team Managers Darren Sterrett, Derek Whiteside, Eric Sterrett, Eadie McFeeters and Lesley Leddy were voted back in for another tenure.

Updated affiliated leagues honours

NIPA affiliated Leagues are at the business ends of their seasons. Below are the honours that have already been decided.

Ballyclare
League Champions - McConnells (Doagh)
Knockout Cup Winners - Wayside 'A' (Parkgate)
League Individual Winner - Johnny Mackay (McConnell's, Doagh)
Seniors Individual Winner - Gary Neeson (Parkview 'A', Parkview)
Ladies Individual Winner - Irene Curran (Sporty Ladies, Ballyclare)
U23 Individual Winner - Philip Houston (Parkview 'A', Parkview) 
Player of the Year - Johnny Mackay (McConnell's, Doagh)

Ballymena

League Champions - Connellys 'B' (Ballymena)

Knockout Cup Winners - Connelly 'B' (Ballymena)
League Individual Winner - Pat McInally (Connellys 'B', Ballymena)
Seniors Individual Winner - Harry Eagleson (Michelin Masters, Broughshane)
Player of the Year - Rick McMaster (Michelin Masters, Broughshane)

Carrick 
League Champions -
Knockout Cup Winners - Spartans (Whitehead)
League Individual Winner -Kenny English (Spartans, Whitehead)
Seniors Individual Winner - Ellis Martin (Spartans, Whitehead)
Ladies Individual Winner - Jean McIlroy (Valkyries, Whitehead)
Player of the Year -

Coleraine
League Champions - Forge Bar (Coleraine) 
Knockout Cup Winners - Sperrin Club (Coleraine)
League Individual Winner - Davy Tosh (Bullseye, Coleraine)
Seniors Individual Winner - Paul Baird (Forge Bar, Coleraine)
U23 Individual Winner - Marc Hutchinson (Forge Bar, Coleraine)

Crumlin (Singles League)
League Individual Winner - John Tennyson (Crumlin)
Seniors Individual Winner - John Tennyson (Crumlin)
U23 Individual Winner - Raymond Christie (Crumlin)

Larne
League Champions - Thatch Bar (Larne)
Knockout Cup Winners - Gatherups, (Larne)
League Individual Winner -Kenny English (Ibrox, Larne)
Seniors Individual Winner - Ellis Martin (Thatch Bar, Larne)
U23 Individual Winner - William Irvine (No 1 Club, Larne)
Player of the Year - Anthony McCorry (St Comgalls, Larne)

North Down & Ards
League Champions - Shooters Sharks (Bangor)
Knockout Cup Winners - Shooters Sharks (Bangor) 
League Individual Winner - Ronan McCarthy (Shooters Sharks, Bangor)
Ladies Individual Winner - Elise Richardson (Chix With Stix, Bangor)

Gareth Potts coming to Shooters

Pool legend Gareth Potts from England, (pictured right), will be taking part in a "Charity Day of Pool" in Shooters Pool Hall, Bangor along with our very own Ronan McCarthy, current Northern Ireland Champion and England International Marc Farnsworth. Bangors Terry McDowell is organising the event to raise funds for "Marie Curie Cancer Care" Kick off will be1:00pm on Saturday 21st April. 

Players can "Challenge Ronan" for £5 per frame. If you win you get £15 back, if you lose your £5 goes to Marie Curie Cancer Care. 

Players can also buy tickets for a raffle to "Challenge Gareth" for a best of 3. If you win you can pick one of the many prizes donated by local business's. Any prizes left at the end of the day will be auctioned off, to get a total amount for the Charity.

Food will be available in the way of a BBQ during the day

Played to Blackball Rules

Please check back for any updates to the schedule.

Norio Caffolla Charity Cup

North Down & Ards Pool Association are inviting teams to play in a 5-a-side Charity Competition on Saturday 2nd June.

What - Norio Caffolla Charity Cup
Run by - North Down & Ards Pool Association
When - Saturday 2nd June 2012
Where - Shooters Pool Hall, Bangor
Time - 12:00 noon start
Who - Open to anyone, all welcome
Team size - 5-a-side
Cost - £50 per team (to be paid by 19th May)
Payout - 50% paid out in prize money, 50% to winners nominated charity
Format - Group stages Round Robin then Knock Out
Dress code - No

A "Speed Pool" competition will also be played along with a "Total Balls Potted" Competition

For more information or to enter contact League Chairman Hugh Regan on
Mobile - 07775 575322  Home - 02891 466441  Email - reganelectrical@gmail.com

Treasurers post

Anyone who is interested in filling the position of NIPA Treasurer, please contact the Secretary at nipablackball@yahoo.co.uk

Interviews will take place this Sunday in the Park Plaza Hotel

McGurn wins his 2nd Seniors Tour Event

Well done to Davy McGurn who has just won the NI Seniors Tour Event 7, held in Shooters Pool Hall, Bangor. He had a tough path to victory beating Robert Bowman, Kenny English, Davy Drysdale and Raymond Stockman to become the first player to win more than one of the 7 events so far.

Final
Davy McGurn (Strabane) 5-1 Raymond Stockman (Coleraine)

Frames
Stockman, McGurn, McGurn, McGurn, McGurn, McGurn

Raymond Stockman moves back to the top of the table closely followed by Sam Newell and Stephen Johnstons. The updated table after Event 7 from 8 can be viewed here 

With 1 Event still to play (13th May) the Prize Fund for Finals Day now stands at £2040 

Brid over for another year

Well folks, Bridlington has come and gone for another year. And over 100 NI players and officials have returned home safely from a hectic week of pool.

The main highlight was a magnificent victory for our Under 23s in the 'B' Section, the lads adapted to the environment very quickly and defeated a strong Scotland team 13-10 in the final. When Omagh's Barry Cunningham potted the final black of the match Manager Alec Irvine's young guns went wild with delight along with the large NI contingent who had given them superb backing during the game. In the photo -
Back row- Daniel McAuley (Coleraine), William Irvine (Larne), John Wilson (Ballyclare), Ben McMoran (Omagh), Alec Irvine (Manager, Larne)
Front row - Matthew Wylie (Bangor), Barry Cunningham (Omagh)

Our Mens 'A' Team qualified for the Semi Finals by winning their last 2 group matches against very strong Southern Irish and Scottish teams, and pushed Wales all the way for a place in the final. In the Mens Individual, Darren Sterrett and Lee Hull played fantastic Pool against top opponents to reach the Semi Final stage.

Stephen Johnston reached the Final of the Seniors 'A' Team Individual, narrowly losing out to reigning Champion Pat Merrigan.

Ben McMoran topped his whole section in the frames won column. Terry McDowell finished joint top in the frames won column in the Mens 'B' Section.

In the Learning Difficulties Section the NI Specials had victories in both the Ladies 'A' Section and 'B' Sections and Frances McCann is the new Ladies Individual European Champion. Well done Frances.

Top of the pots

Top of the pots at the Euros for NI were as follows

'A' Section
Mens - Neil McKelvey (Larne)
Seniors - Kenny English (Carrickfergus)
Ladies - Julie Henderson (Coleraine)
Under 23 - Lee Wright (Ballymena)

'B' Section

Mens - Terry McDowell (Bangor)
Seniors - Bill McIlroy (Larne)
Ladies - Lyndsey Gardner (Bangor), Lyndsey Ruddock (Carrickfergus)
Under 23 - Ben McMoran (Omagh)

Congratulations to Ben McMoran who finished top of the whole Under 23 'B' Section and to Terry McDowell who finished joint top of all the Mens 'B' Team players