ALL ENTRIES TO BE PAID IN FULL BY 16th AUGUST 2014, RESERVE LIST IN WAITING. ALL PLAYERS MUST BE FULLY PAID UP NIPA MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN TOUR.

Introducing the new NIPA Amateur & Elite 

Blackball Pool Tour

Event 1 ~~ Sunday 21st September 2014 (147 Club, Omagh)

Event 2 ~~ Sunday 7th December 2014 (Primacy Sports Bar, Bangor)

Event 3 ~~ Sunday 8th February 2015 (Potters, Coleraine)

Event 4 ~~ Sunday 22nd March 2015 (Swift Bar, Carrickfergus)

56 Amateur players, 8 Elite

Amateur players £80, Elite £120

To enter - Either pay to one of the following 3 persons  Rab McCullough 07742 793884, Trevor Harte 07814 432753, Robert Hawkins 07970 450050 or alternatively transfer your entry fee to Sort Code 950441, Account Number 30015997 stating your name and AET as reference

Players - Tour will be made up of 64 players, 56 Amateurs and 8 Elite. Entry is on a first come first served basis. A player who enters then subsequently withdraws shall still be liable to the NIPA for the entry fee

Selection of Elite players  - The 8 Elite players will be selected by the NIPA Executive Committee from the players who enter

Format - 56 Amateur players will play down to Last 8 where they will join 8 Elite players and play to a finish

Last 16 draw - Will be drawn from 2 pots, Pot 1 the remaining 8 Amateur players and Pot 2 the 8 Elite players to give 8 ties of Amateur versus Elite

Frames -  ""Best of 9""

Rankings (Amateur Section) - The 56 Amateur players will only receive ranking points in the Amateur only section matches. Last 64 = 3 points, Last 32 = 5 points, Last 16 = 10 points, Last 8 = 15 points. Appearance = 5 extra points

Rankings (Elite Section) - The 8 Elite players will have their own Ranking Table. Appearance = 5 points and 5 points for each subsequent match they win

Promotion & Relegation - At the end of the Tour the bottom 3 in the Elite Section shall be relegated to the Amateur Section and the Top 3 in the Amateur section promoted to the Elite Section. Match scores will count in both Ranking Tables so frame difference can determine positions in the event of players finishing level

Prize money Amateur section- Players not receiving byes and winning two matches only in the Amateur section win £25 each. Players reaching Last 8 win £50.
Prize money Combined section - Winner - £400, Runner up - £200, Semi Finalists - £100 each 

Registration closing times - Omagh 10.45am. All other venues 10.00am

Dress code - Full NIPA Dress Code for each event

Any Questions - Call Trevor Harte on 07814 432753, Rab McCullough on 07742 793884 or Robert Hawkins on 07970 450050

Terms & conditions subject to change

AMATEURS (56) - Stephen Johnston, Davy McGurn, Sara Greenberg, Jean McIlroy, Kenny English, Wayne Lewis, Willie Eakin, Derek Whiteside, Maryjo McCourt, Marty Goudie, Lee Hull, Gee Crawley, Johnny Mackay, Robert Hawkins, Craig Laughlin, Tyler McConnell, Michael Higgins, William Irvine, Rab Brown,  John Barrons, Pat McAnally, Mark Miller, Ricky Crooke, Barry Cunningham, Shaun McAlister, Darren Lowe, Dean McDonagh, Kyle Kirkwood, Ellis Martin, Gary Johnston, Tom Leggett, Bill McIlroy, Ady Toner, Paddy Lynch, Scott Hay, Ben Nesbitt, Chris Beattie, Emmett Maguire, Paul Withers, Davy Moore, Chris Ross, Ryan McKillop, Raymond Stockman, Herbie O'Neil, Colin Moore, Tony Tennyson, Declan Duff, Jimmy McGarrell, Greg Stevenson, Lee Caulfield, Billy Moore, John Tennyson, Gavin Armstrong, Neil McFaul, Iain Britton, Gary Crawford

ELITE (8) - Ronan McCarthy, Gary Clarke, Rab McCullough, Damian Corrigan, Sam Newell, Dee Irwin, Darren Sterrett, Ronan Fay

RESERVE LIST (8) - Andy Giltrap, Colin Rafferty, Billy Browne, James Meredith, Craig Gawley, Raymond Christie, Ryan Foster, Paul Carville, Declan Lavery, Jason Heffron

Seniors, Masters & Ladies UK Open

As a follow on from the hugely successful UK Blackball Open last year, Promoter Ross McInnes will now be holding a similar event, the UK Open for Seniors, Masters & Ladies. The 3 events will take place from 27th February - 1st March in the Hilltop Swallow Hotel in Carlisle, England (Approximately 2 hours 22 minutes from Cairnryan or 1 hour 14 minutes from Newcastle Airport). Any player interested in entering please email your name to nipablackball@yahoo.co.uk

Events will have 64 qualifiers for the Seniors, 32 for the Masters and 32 for the Ladies.
Each qualifying place will cost £100.
Prize fund for the Seniors will be £6800 based on 64 entries.
Prize fund for Masters will be £3400 based on 32 entries.
Prize fund for Ladies will be £3400 based on 32 entries.
All events will start on the Friday and players will have to stay two nights at a cost of £40 per night.
All sections, just like the main UK Open will be Double Elimination with a race to 8 in the winners section and 5 in the losers section.
The Double Elimination will go down to the 8 winners to be joined by 8 losers in the Seniors event, this is where the prize money will start with the last 16 getting £150 last 8 getting £300 semi £600 runner up £1100 and winner £2100.
The other two events will be the same, with the Double Elimination going down to 4 from the winners section being joined by 4 from the losers section, again this is where the prize fund will start with the quarters getting £150 semi £300 runner up £700 and winner £1500.
Players can only qualify for one event.

More details soon

Flights to World Championships

Dessie Cooper will be booking a minibus to meet the following flights for players travelling to and from the World Championships in Perth in October. To enquire about spaces call Des on 07773 766534

Outward -
Airline - Easyjet
Route - Belfast International to Edinburgh
Date - Saturday 25th October
Departs - 4.35pm
Flight reference - EZY 487

Homeward -
Airline - Easyjet
Route - Edinburgh to Belfast International
Date - Saturday 1st November
Departs - 5.45pm
Flight reference - EZY 486

Ladies B1 Squad for NATIONS CUP

Manager Susan Graham has confirmed her Ladies B1 Squad for the upcoming 2014 EBA Nations Cup in Coleraine in November as follows -

Edith McFeeters - (North Down)
Angie Willis - (Newtownabbey)
Alex Babb (Ards)
Naomi Rutledge (Omagh)
Angie Carson (Newtownabbey)
Sally Caughey (Ards)
Elise Richardson (North Down)
Debra Murphy (North Down)

Under 23B2 Squad for NATIONS CUP

The Under 23B2 Squad has been selected for the 2014 EBA NATIONS CUP in November and is as follows.

Curtis Boreland (Coleraine)
Conor Kneelands (Coleraine)
Lee Gribben (Larne)
Terry Wallace (Omagh)
Craig Johnston (Larne)
Matthew Steen (Coleraine)
Conor Myton (Omagh)

Ladies 'B' Team Trials

There was a fantastic turnout on Sunday 20th July at The Swift Bar in Carrickfergus with 16 Ladies competing for the three automatic selection spaces on our Ladies B1 Team to compete at the 2014 Nations Cup in Coleraine. And after the 120th frame of the day had ended it was Lyndsey Ruddock (Carrickfergus), Naomi Rutledge (Omagh) and Angie Carson (Newtownabbey) who booked their places at the Lodge Hotel in November. Amazingly Lyndsey lost her first 3 frames but went on to win her next 12 in a row to top the table. Manager Susan Graham will confirm her team this week.

FRAMES (from a possible 15)

12 Lyndsey Ruddock
10 Naomi Rutledge, Angie Carson
09 Elise Richardson, Frances McGuigan, Debbie Murphy
08 Krissie Cutler, Clare Roberts
07 Kathy Leddy, Andrea McAlister
06 Joanne Podbylski, Katrina McVeigh
05 Helena Knox, Wendy Long, Kelly Mitchell
04 Susan Graham

Following today's turnout the NIPA are confident of being able to also enter a Ladies B2 Team at the Nations Cup.  More details as we get them

UNDER 23B1 Squad for NATIONS CUP

Manager John McIlreavy has selected his Under 23B1 Squad for the 2014 EBA NATIONS CUP in Coleraine in November and it is as follows -

David McComb (Down)
Tyler McKee (Larne)
Jason Horner (North Down)
Martin Stubbs (Larne)
Matthew Campbell (Omagh)
Lee Hogg (Larne)
Neil McFaul (Larne)

We will also be entering an Under 23B2 team for the event. Names to follow shortly.

Tour and IM payment

NIPA Committee members will be in attendance tonight at the PRIMACY SUMMER 6s BLACKBALL COMPETITION in Bangor to collect entry fees for the new Amateur & Elite Tour and Individual Membership fees for 2014/2015. Closing date for Tour entries to be paid is 16th August. Anyone not paid by said date will be removed from list of entrants and reserves will start to come in.

Costs
Amateur - £80
Elite - £120
IM - £15 Adult, £7.50 Under 18s & 23s

Payment - Either pay to one of the following 3 persons  Rab McCullough 07742 793884, Trevor Harte 07814 432753, Robert Hawkins 07970 450050 or alternatively transfer your entry fee to Sort Code 950441, Account Number 30015997 stating your name and AET as reference

LADIES TRIALS FOR 2014 Nations Cup

The NIPA will be holding a set of Ladies Trials to select players for the 2014 Nations Cup International event in Coleraine in November. Details below

When - Sunday 20th July
Time - Registration closes at 12 noon sharp. Venue open at 11.00am for practice.
Where - Swift Bar, Carrickfergus (Beside Carrickfergus Castle)
Who - Open to anyone who is eligible to represent NI at Blackball (except for Top 3 players in Ladies Ranking Table who are not travelling to the World Championships and any player who is travelling to the World Championships)
Dress code - Yes

Selection criteria for Ladies 'B' Team (8 players)
Players 1, 2 & 3 from Ranking Table who are not travelling to the World Championships
Players 1, 2 & 3 from upcoming Trial
One other player who plays in upcoming Trial
One Wild Card

NIPA CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2014 / 2015

Following are NIPA dates for your diary for the 2014 / 2015 season


Sunday 7th September 2014 - SENIORS TOUR EVENT 1 (Primacy, Bangor)
Sunday 14th September 2014 - 2014 OPEN TOUR EVENT 5 (Swift, Carrick)
Sunday 21st September 2014 - A&E TOUR EVENT 1 (147 Club, Omagh)
Sunday 12th October 2014 - SENIORS TOUR EVENT 2 (Potters, Coleraine)
Sunday 26th October - Friday 1st November - BI WORLD C'SHIPS (Perth, Scotland)
Monday 10th - Thursday 13th November - EBA NATIONS CUP Adults (Coleraine, N.Ireland)
Saturday 15th - Monday 17th November - EBA NATIONS CUP Unders (Coleraine, N.Ireland)
Saturday 29th November - GENERAL COMMITTEE & TEAM MANAGERS MEETING
Sunday 7th December 2014 - A&E TOUR EVENT 2 (Primacy, Bangor)
Sunday 21st December 2014 - SENIORS TOUR EVENT 3 (147 Club, Omagh)
TBC January 2015 - ALL NIPA NATIONAL INDIVIDUAL TITLES (Venue TBC)
Sunday 1st February 2015 - LADIES DOUBLES (Primacy, Bangor)
Sunday 8th February 2015 - A&E TOUR EVENT 3 (Potters, Coleraine)
Sunday 15th February 2015 - SENIORS TOUR EVENT 4 (Swift Carrick)
Sunday 22nd February 2015 - MIXED DOUBLES (Q. Club, Larne)
Sunday 1st March 2015 - WILLIE LUCAS SUPER 7s (Primacy, Bangor)
Sunday 8th March 2015 - SENIORS TOUR EVENT 5 (Swift, Carrick)
Sunday 22nd March 2015 - A&E TOUR EVENT 4 (Swift, Carrick)
Sunday 29th March 2015 - MENS DOUBLES (Potters, Coleraine)
Tuesday 7th - Friday 10th April - EUROPEANS Unders & LDs (Bridlington, England)
Saturday 11th - Thursday 16th April - EUROPEANS Adults (Bridlington, England)
Sunday 19th April 2015 - SENIORS TOUR EVENT 6 (Primacy, Bangor)
Saturday 2nd May 2015 - INTERLEAGUE 'B' EVENT (St Comgalls, Larne)
Sunday 3rd May 2015 - INTERLEAGUE 'A' EVENT (St Comgalls, Larne)
Saturday 9th May 2015 - TRIALS FOR 2015 NC & 2016 ECs (St Comgalls, Larne)
Sunday 10th May 2015 - TRIALS FOR 2015 NC & 2016 ECs (St Comgalls, Larne)
Saturday 16th May 2015 - TRIALS FOR 2015 NC & 2016 ECs (St Comgalls, Larne)
Sunday 17th May 2015 - TRIALS FOR 2015 NC & 2016 ECs (St Comgalls, Larne)
Sunday 31st May 2015 - SENIORS TOUR FINALS DAY (Swift, Carrick)
Sunday 7th June 2015 - MENS TRIALS DAY 3 (147 Club, Omagh)
Sunday 14th June 2015 - MASTERS INVITATIONAL (Potters, Coleraine)
Saturday 27th June 2015 - NIPA AGM & GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
Sunday 28th June 2015 - CHAMPIONS OF CHAMPIONS (Swift, Carrick)

Subject to change, please check regularly

MASTERS B2 Squad for NATIONS CUP

The following players have been selected to represent Northern Ireland at the 2014 EBA NATIONS CUP in Coleraine in our MASTERS (Over 50s) B2 Team -

Gordon McCormick (Carrickfergus)
Chris Jeffrouy (North Down)
Hugo Manson (Larne)
Paul O'Connor (Coleraine)
Jim Taylor (Ards)
John Hooks (Ards)

Nations confirmed for 2014 World Championships

To date :

Australia
Catalonia
England
France
Gibraltar
Ireland
Isle of Man
Malta
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Shetland Isles
South Africa
Wales
Libya

Golden Goal

Well done to Alan Johnston from Larne on winning the Golden Goal sweep in the World Cup Final. Alan had to sweat it out the whole 90 minutes as he picked out the "No Goals" ticket. A £75 cheque is on its way to him.

World Cup Final Golden Goal Sweep

CLICK HERE for the Golden Goal Sweepstake, for the minute the first goal is scored in the World Cup Final on Sunday 13th July. Winner receives £75

SUMMER 6s BLACKBALL EVENT

The Primacy Sports Bar in Bangor are hosting a SUMMER 6s BLACKBALL TEAM EVENT.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

UNDER 23 Squad for WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The UNDER 23 Squad to represent Northern Ireland at the 2014 World Championships in Perth in October has been confirmed as follows -

Stephen McGurn (Omagh)
Adam McMackin (Omagh)
Dean McDonagh (Larne)
Corey Sweeney (Coleraine)
James Nesbitt (Coleraine)
Barry Cunningham (Omagh)

SENIORS B2 Squad for NATIONS CUP

New SENIORS B2 manager Rab Brown has confirmed his squad for the 2014 NATIONS CUP in Coleraine in November as follows

Stephen Burns (Larne)
Michael Wilson (Newtownabbey)
Mark Marsh (Ards)
Kenny Geddis (Lisburn)
Andy Arbuthnot (Newtownabbey)
Greg Stevenson (Banbridge)

MASTERS B1 Squad for NATIONS CUP

The following players have been selected to represent Northern Ireland at the 2014 EBA NATIONS CUP in Coleraine in our MASTERS B1 Team -

Alan Corrigan (Carrickfergus)
Robert Bowman (Ards)
Hugh McMurtry (Larne)
Hugh Regan (North Down)
Ivan Christie (Lisburn)
Joe Patton (Belfast)

MENS B2 Squad for NATIONS CUP

New MENS B2 Manager Trevor Whiteside has confirmed his squad for the 2014 EBA NATIONS CUP in Coleraine as follows -

Trevor Whiteside (Carrickfergus)
Paul Roberts (Carrickfergus)
Tyler McConnell (Newtownabbey)
Kyle Kirkwood (Newtownabbey)
Johnny Johnston (Newtownabbey)
Ian Britton (Newtownabbey)
Paul Withers (Down)
Gary Crawford (Banbridge)
Paul Harris (Carrickfergus)
Scott Hay (North Down)
Stephen Herron (Newtownabbey)
Tom Leggett (Belfast)
Paul Francey (Ballymena)
Wayne Lewis (Newtownabbey)

THATCH BAR, LARNE are NIPA CHAMPIONS

Congratulations to the Thatch Bar from the Larne League on retaining their title to become the 2014 NIPA Champions of Champions. Bryan McWhirter's team were outstanding yesterday in the annual event which was held in the Swift Bar, Carrickfergus. Well done too, to Michelin Masters from Ballymena League on reaching the Final, Drew Sloan's team pushed Thatch all the way as the two teams more or less traded frame for frame right up until the business end of the match when Thatch pulled away to get over the line at 11-8.

In the Plate Final, Derek Whiteside's Galacticos from the Carrickfergus League defeated Davy Moore's Saintfield Sports Club from the Ballynahinch League by a 6-2 scoreline

Top photo
2014 CHAMPIONS - Thatch Bar, Larne


2nd photo
2014 RUNNERS UP - Michelin Masters, Ballymena


3rd photo
2014 PLATE WINNERS - Galacticos, Carrickfergus


Bottom photo
2014 PLATE RUNNERS UP - Saintfield Sports Cub, Ballynahinch


THATCH TEAM RECEIVING TROPHY
Back row
Jonny Nelson, Bill McIlroy Sr, Ronan McCarthy, Gerry McCorry, Alan Johnston
Fromt Row
Paul Gingles, Bryan McWhirter, Pauline Lynch (NIPA), Colin Montgomery Jr