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Newry Pool League. Individuals Update.

26/4/2015

Destination Newry sponsored Newry Pool Individuals will resume this Tuesday 28th of April. The tie of the round is undoubtedly Current overall individual champion Kieran McMahon verses the young snooker sensation Declan Brennan. Both play for the Premier Division unbeaten champions TJ'A. Both been in stunning form all season & both have a very attacking style of play. Both are break-finish specialists. It's only a shame it's best of 3 because these two will put on a show. The game will be played in McGuigans bar and recorded by Destination Newry.
A packed house is guaranteed & the winner could be who wins the lag in a decider.
TJ's will host a cracker of a match with the impressive Jack Courtney of the aforementioned TJ's A & Tony McGovern formerly of TJ's A & currently plying his game in Orchard bar. This game will be a cracking match & worth keeping an eye on.
TJ's A player Laurence McAlinden has a tricky looking tie against Kenny Gilbraith of McGuigans B with both have fantastic seasons.
Brian O'Neill of Whitecross who beat Manny Byrne in the shock of the 1st round has another tricky tie against Gerard McGuigan of McGuigans A.
Damien Kearney of Bosco who beat TJs captain Declan McConville last time out has been handed another tough game in the form of Raymie McKenna of TJs.
Former individuals winner Declan McMahon faces a tricky tie in James O'Hagan.
Last years beaten finalist Harvey Lavelle got the confident Ritchie Taylor in another tough tie.
Karl McGuinness & Paul Kelland is another tasty looking game with Kelland enjoying a good season with high flying div1 side CWC.
Seamus McGeoghegan of Carrickcruppen will take of the tasty potting of Matthew Cartmill, while league secretary Micky Cunningham will have a tricky game against Keith Galbraith who has been having a good season with McGuigans B.
Maurice Ruddy from McSwiggans B has been in superb form all season and his tactical Know how will ensure a tough game for Whitecross attacking player Gavin Malone.
Two of Malone's team- mates take of Granvue opponents.
Michael Feenan plays an inform Conor Dullaghan while Cathal Phelan takes on Shane Feehan with Shane holding his own for the sea siders this year.
Cathal Murphy of CWC could cause an upset if he plays well but in Mervyn Kernaghan he's got a tough job on his hands as the Orchard man has been in good form this season.
Jason Lennon of TJ's D takes on Brian Campbell and both can take out stunning finishes.
If your looking for an upset try Diarmuid Fee to beat Paddy Tavey. Fee has been potting well this season for TJs B & Paddys attacking style may leave the door open for a shock.
Amanda Pentony of Moores B has been one of the shining lights for the struggling Moore's side & she will give Tommy Canning a good game in this close match-up!

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Newry Pool League Blog Update

26/4/2015

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Dan's B were the big winners at the weekend as the Division 1 title race heads into the final furlong. With Dan's winning, CWC drawing and McGuigan's having their bye it means Dan's & CWC are joint top on 32pts with McGuigans needing a miracle on 29pts along with Bear's who are also on 29pts. Bear's have only 1 game left to play so they are out of the title reckoning.
CWC looked hot favourites for the league a couple of weeks ago but the pressure is starting to hit home now as 2 routine pts slipped from their grasp & had to settle for the 1 single point after a fantastic comeback.
CWC landed at Belinis believing they only had to turn up. But the home side in their plush surroundings stormed into a stunning 3-0 lead.
Gerald Kinney, Kevin Pearce & Seamus Pearce gave the table topping CWC the shock of their lives with some brilliant pool & great tactics with surprise wins over Cathal Murphy, Seamus McKeown & Tommy Rooney. The 3 amigos from CWC left their team mates with it all to do after some shockingly bad pool.
Paul Murphy stopped the rot for CWC when he got the better of Tony Hughes but Belinis ensured CWC wouldn't be leaving with both points when Gary Fitzmaurace stunned the usually very reliable Paul Kelland with some superb pool for an amazing 4-1 lead.
But champions don't throw in the towel with the chips are down. PJ Gilmore has been in cracking form all season & the fightback began when he overcame a plucky Michael Kinney who himself has notched up his fair share of wins this season and it was 4-2.
Pat Hughes another of CWC's big players this season stepped up to the plate & didn't let the side down with another top performance to beat Mickey Fegan.
John McClorey held his nerve to salvage a vital draw for the visitors with a great nerve jangling final frame win over Stephen Byrne.
In the end it turned out to be a point gained instead of a point lost for CWC after an amazing comeback and keeps the promotion dream very much in touch.

Dan's C made the most of CWC's slip up with super 2nd half in a high quality game against mid- table Ballyholland side. We said here in the blog at Christmas that this Dan's side were underachieving & that they were not playing to their potential with the players they have in their squad. It's good to see the South Armagh side back contesting for trophies again & have fought like lions since the turn of the year to join CWC at the top with just 2 games to play.
The impressive Seamus McVerry got the home side Dan's off the to the perfect start when he beat Gerard McAvoy.
Mark McGurk has been playing well this season but the sharp shooter couldn't see off the plucky Colm Sands & the scorers were all square at 1-1.
James O'Hagan has improved his win rate since December & his opponent Giby Vettiankal is having a brilliant season but James got over the line to claim a 2-1 Dan's lead.
Marty O'Hare has been practicing hard on his new table & it's starting to show as his good play levelled up the game beating Dan's Terry Phoenix for 2-2.
Dan's turned the screw from there on in and rattled off the next 4 frames for a comfortable 2pts.
Niall McVerry, Jimmy McVerry, Seamus Tumilty & Barry Boyle played some fantastic pool to beat Jim McMahon, Manny Kelly, Brendan Keenan & Davy McAvoy for 6-2.
Last season Ballyholland went the whole Division 4 league campaign unbeaten and have found the going tough this season. But Dan's played well & CWC have a fight on for division 1 glory which makes the next few weeks the most exciting of any of the divisions.

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Newry Pool League, Whitecross V Orchard Update.

21/4/2015

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Whitecross don't do boring pool matches, I think that is one thing we can say about this tenacious South Armagh Premier Division side. You couldn't get paid enough to play last in that team. For the 3rd cup match in a row they have been level at 4 all and down to a nail biting 9th & deciding frame.
After their two league games ended all square Orchard bar and Whitecross went head to head where eventually there would have to be a winner.
This incredible Divisional cup Semi-Final kicked off with Gavin Malone taking on the impressive Karl McGuinness. Karl has already beaten current overall individual champion Kieran McMahon twice this season & was hot favourite to give Orchard Bar the lead. But Gavin kept it tight & nicked the frame when Karl potted the black mid-way through the frame for 1-0 Whitecross.
After a long tactical frame Tony McGovern levelled up the match with a re-spotted black win over Whitecross hotshot Cathal Phelan. It was a frame of great pool by two brilliant players but it was Tony who sunk the re-spot for 1-1.
Orchard bar took the initiative after that with Brendy Devlin getting the better of Shane Phelan with some super potting & giving the Rathfriland Road men the lead. 2-1.
Lee Irvine has been noted for his superb tactical play and no doubt Whitecross sharp shooter Michael Feenan got a taste of Lee's finest and give Orchard a fantastic 3-1 lead & Whitecross had used 3 of their top marksmen.
Whitecross are certainly not a team for throwing in the towel and Joseph McTaggart had to be on top of his game to prevent Orchard Bar & Ritchie Crawford from running away with this match. After a great frame Joseph pegged it back to 3-2.
Alan Burke, the hero in the 5-4 win over Bosco in the Cunningham cup 1/4 final was back on form again as he played herioc pool to level the scores at 3-3 against the unlucky Paul Henning.
Mervyn Kernaghan was on hand to stop Whitecross from taking the lead when he took out Brian O'Neill who himself has been in good form of late. Mervyn played classy pool & Orchard bar took a 4-3 lead and now all the pressure was on the 'Cross' boys.
Gareth McCann now an experienced campaigner for the Sth Armagh side used all his know how to level up the scores at 4-4. His calmness under the severe pressure saw him pot a fantastic double on the black to the shock of a gutted Niall Davis who could only watch on as this unreal match reached its cliff hanger.
Mickey O'Hanlon was the toast of Whitecross after some brilliant pool when the pressure was like a white hot cauldron in TJ's fantastic pool venue. The place came to a standstill as Mickey played some of the best pool of the night to beat David Cromie and seal Whitecross their place in the Divisional cup final against TJ's A . Whitecross will be like sheepbridge not there to make up the numbers in another thrilling final so heres to you boys lets beat Tjs and upset the form books

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Newry Pool League Blog Update..

19/4/2015

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Well what a night of pool we had on Thursday past. All the drama of a Christmas Eastenders with thrills & spills and some brilliant pool along the way.

Vegas Cup
Semi-final
Sheepbridge stunned Carrickcuppen 5-4 in a game we promised here on the blog would produce fireworks and what a game it was for two of the best teams in the Premier Division.
Donal McSherry is having a cracking season playing some of the best pool of his career but Paddy Clarke is one of the finest exponents of the game in the Newry league and played fantastic pool to give Carrickcruppen the lead.
Harvey Lavelle had a super chance to double the Camlough men's lead but when he missed Yogi Markeys experience paid off and made no mistake & levelled up the match 1-1.
Another match-up of two classy players and they didn't disappoint. In a brilliant game Paddy Tavey edged out Conor O'Hare to give 'Cruppen' the lead again.
Collie Loughran was in super potting form when he brushed his opponent barry mc allister as the men from the bridge rocked the house. 2-2.
There was a reoccurring theme going on now. Tit for Tat the frames were being shared.
Micky Cunningham & Seamie McGeoghan got stuck in a great tactical battle & a re-spotted black was needed. Micky lost the lag & went for the black only to stick it up for Seamie to give Carrickcruppen the lead for the 3rd time 3-2.
Barry Duffy kept a good tight game against the attacking Marty O'Callaghan with the latter getting frustrated and Barry saw it through to level at 3-3 apiece.
Seanie Markey should have given Sheepbridge the lead for the 1st time but he missed a sitter in the middle to put the bridge ahead for the first time in the match that was enough for Ian McDonald to level the scores in another high quality game 4-3 and Carrickcruppen where on the hill.
Pat Kearns is having a superb season and like a fine wine he's improving with age. He was able to thwart Pat Byrnes potting instincts with some good tactical play and bring the match to nerve jangling final frame decider.
Cometh the hour cometh the man & that man was Gwyn Trainor and what a game he played His opponent Marty Lavelle is an accomplished pool player but in a tight final frame Gwyn crawled over the line to adulation of the very excitable Sheepbridge team-mates
for a great deserved victory well done sheepbridge.And lets not forget the refereeing skills of Cathal McCoy who sadly is out of all cups but still wants to participate well done to him .
Sheepbridge will now play TJ's A in the final of the Vegas Cup and Sheepbridge will definitely not be there to just make up the numbers!Sheepbridge will also contend the cunningham cup semi/final against whitecross which will be another crowd puller the other semi/final will be contested by Tjs A and Carrickcruppen.

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Newry Pool League Blog Update

16/4/2015

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We're down to the business end of the Newry & District pool league and seats at the presentation night are will be guaranteed after tonight (Thursday nights) cup matches.

The Divisional cup Semi-Finals take place along with the final spot in the Vegas Cup where the winners will meet the unbeaten TJ's A.

Premier Division
Bosco v TJ's A
Busy times for TJ's A with pool every Tues & Thurs and really only pool fatigue can prevent the demolition of Bosco. TJ's are on a different planet this season and Bosco need every run of the green and more. Kieran Hanna has been there and worn the t-shirt but he will need Darrren Devlin, Dee Kearney & Dee Brady to be at their very best if they are to challenge Kieran McMahon, Declan Brennan, Manny Byrne & Declan McConville.

Whitecross v Orchard Bar
This game couldn't be any more fascinating. Both league games were drawn 4-4. The fact the game will be played in TJ's superb venue just gives Orchard bar the edge in this one. Orchards' Karl McGuinness and Tony McGovern are ex-TJs players and will have no problem playing in the venues fast tables. Lee Irvine is having a great season & his tactical game will be a match for anyone. Ritchie Crawford has won many trophies with the Hockey Club & Mervyn Kernaghan is another match winner. Whitecross have former individuals winner Cathal Phelan and an inform Michael Feenan in their ranks. If the South Armagh side can call on Alan Burke they could spring a surprise. Shane Phelan and Brian O'Neill could also swing it Whitecross' way.

Division 1
CWC v Bears
CWC top Div1 & Bears are only 3pts behind so this promises to be another great match. Bears are just off the back of a hard fought win over Millvale arms in last weeks league match while CWC had their bye. Eddie Heaney won the crucial final frame & gave Prem Div star player Declan Brennan a real fright in the individuals so he could have a big say. His son Paddy is in fine form and when Adrian Holman is striking the balls well he is very hard to beat for the Windmill. CWC have a really strong side & with PJ Gilmore & Paul Kelland they have two superb players. Pat Hughes & Paul McKay will have a big say if CWC are going to complete the 'double'.

Quayside Rams v Indo A
4th from bottom Indo A take on mid-table Quayside Rams in a game that would be a silver lining of a dark cloud of a season. Quayside have the ace in the pack in the form of Barney Preece. He is pure quality & with Mickey Nugent, Leigh McAlinden and Malachy Magurie the have great potters who love the big games. The Indo have had some great cups runs last season and their at it again. Martin McClelland was lethal last year and took a while to adapt to div1. He is a class act & will need to win here. Brendan Curran, Andrew Chan & Barry Kelland are big game players and this match promises another exciting match up.

Division 2
Granvue Hotel v TJs D
With the league wrapped up for TJs they can now concentrate on doing the double. Granvue are having a good season & promotion although unlikely is still possible. TJs though are a classy exciting young team full of potters. Jason Lennon, Matty Cartmill, Richard Taylor & Adrian Annett are all devastating among the balls. Conor Dullaghan has the pressure on his shoulders. He is a winner & will be hoping Shane Feehan, Paul Bruen & Ritchie Magee can upset the odds.

Armagh/Down v Glenn Social Club.
Glenn are another team that like to save their best pool for the cups. Gerard Bagnall has been a big player for Glenn all season and will hope to put the City center side to the sword again. Raymie Sands, Adrian Boyle & Patrick Morgan need to continue their recent good form for the countrysiders. Armagh/Down haven't set the world alight this season with their new look youthful side. Shane Durnin is a superb potter & a game for anyone. Sean O'Callaghan, Willie Andrews & Oran Keenan are playing well and will need to continue that form to see off Glenn.

Vegas Cup
Sheepbridge v Carrickcruppen
Game of the night is easily this clash of the Titans. Paddy Clarke and Harvey Lavelle of Cruppen & Sheepbridge star player Seanie Markey are all one visit players. Carrickcruppen also have the silky Marty O'Callaghan and the deadly potting of Pat Byrne. Sheepbridge can always rely on Micky Cunningham, Gwyn Trainor and Pat Kearns. Watch for the Sparks to fly in this one. It could be a proper classic.

Good luck to all involved. What a night it promises to be!

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Newry pool league blog update..

13/4/2015

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With the race for the Division 2 league title over thanks to the 2pts collected from the Cavern Bar's exit from the league the battle is now on for 2nd place. And what a battle it is going to be.
McGuigans C hold a slender 1pt lead over Boyds but Boyds have a game in hand with games running out fast,
If Boyds win their last 3 matches they will secure 2nd place and they are very much in form at the minute. Boyds trounced Moores B 8-0. McGuigans C slaughtered St. Moninna 7-1. Noel & Liam Bradley gave the home side a 2-0 lead & at half way it was 4-0 thanks to Tommy Haughey & the ever reliable Ronan O'Reilly.
Paddy Hughes hit back for St.Monnina but the points were secure in the 6th frame as Matthew Cregan played great pool and 2nd kept his team in 2nd place for at least another week. Danny Cinnamond & Mark O'Hare applied the gloss for McGuigans C while the Saints are sitting comfortable in mid-table are just seeing out their fixture list now.
Granvue Hotel are 3pts adrift of Boyds & 4 behind McGuigans with the same amount of games played as Boyds.
They need a miracle bigger than the parting of the of the Red Sea after they dropped a valuable point at home to Trainor's Bar of Camlough. It was a cracking game & trying to read the result card would require 3 A-Levels but here goes......
Declan Finnegan gave the visitors the lead when he beat Shane Holland.
Conor Dullaghan who's having a brilliant season levelled up the scores when he beat Micheal McEntee.
That gave the Hoteliers the initiative and they streamed ahead 3-1 thanks to Shane Feehan & Peter McCourt when they beat the very experienced duo Luke Phelan & Charlie Docherty.
Proprietor of the visiting Trainors - Mark Trainor pulled it back to 3-2 when he saw off Ritchie Magee.
Paul Bruen assured the homesters at least a draw with a win over the attacking Aaron O'Callaghan.
Oisin Smyth looks to have been drafted in but Oliver Lonergan won for Trainors and it was 4-3 and squeaky bum time for Granvue.
It was down to Chris Smyth of Granvue to keep their promotion hopes alive but Stevie McIlroy hadn't read the script and the Camlough men took a share of the spoils back the long drive to Sth Armagh and surely end the Granvue Div1 Dream for another year.

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Newry Pool League Champions

5/4/2015

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TJ's A secured their 3rd league title in a row following a comfortable 6-2 win against St. Catherines. The champions have also become the first side in the history of the Newry District Pool League to win the top Division undefeated.
Just for the record the great Corrinshego side in 2007-08 season lost their first match in early March to Dans B then won the 1st Division title the following week. They went on to win the quadruple winning all 3 cups to add to their league title.
This 'Dreamteam' TJ's A side will now aim to be the first ever top tier team to finish the campaign unbeaten. The debate has already begun on social media sites as to whether this brilliant TJs squad is better than the all conquering Corrinshego side that dominated the Newry pool scene for over a decade. It is certainly a hot topic and one we will cover here on the blog in the near future!
What is for certain is that TJ's A have won the Premier division at a canter and after their 18th win from 21 games the Hill street side sit 10 points clear of their nearest rivals Carrickcuppen - a team they obliterated by an accumulative score of 14-2.
On Thursday night 2nd of April TJ'A bagged the 2014-15 league title against a struggling St.Catherines side only 2pts outside the relegation zone. The Saints put it up to the the soon-to-be champions trailing 3-2 at one stage.
Only needing a point to wrap up the title Declan Brennan & current overall Individuals champion Kieran McMahon got the visiting TJ's off to the perfect start beating Mark Pentony & Gary McKevitt.
Billy O'Neill threw a spanner in the works beating the silky skills of Manny Byrne to make it 2-1.
Jack Courtney who has been impressive all season put TJ's within a frame of retaining their crown when he beat Brian Dillon for 3-1.
Tristan Byrne had the opportunity to seal the deal but Ciaran O'Neill was in no mood to roll over and he pegged it back to 3-2.
It wasn't long of a wait though as captain fantastic Declan McConville was fittingly the man who got the adulation of his team mates with an assured performance and ensured the 1st ever Premier Division trophy headed down the street to TJ's. He beat Barry Murphy and it has to be said McConville has done a brilliant job looking after his team of star names.
Laurance McAlinden added the icing on the the cake and seal both the points on offer seeing off Kieran Morgan.
Not to miss out on the party Stevie Noade added the sprinkles of hundreds of thousands on top of the icing when he saw off the experienced Hugh Donnelly for another superb team performance to finish the scoring at 6-2.
Well done to TJ's A on winning the league. Now it's time to finish the league unbeaten & wrap up the Vegas, Cunningham and Divisional cup.
Question is, is there any team out there that can give them a game?

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Newry Pool League. Individuals Update.

Newry Pool League Blog Update

Newry Pool League, Whitecross V Orchard Update.

Newry Pool League Blog Update..

Newry Pool League Blog Update

Newry pool league blog update..

Newry Pool League Champions

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