2022 NORTHERN IRELAND SPECIAL POOL LADIES TEAM & INDIVIDUALS

On Tuesday 22^nd November it was the turn of our lady players to take centre stage as they competed in the 2022 NI Ladies Individual and Team Championships. In the team event old rivals Maghera and Mountfern contested the final with Maghera emerging winners by 5 frames to 4 after a truly epic match. In the Team Plate event Greystone were out gunned in the final by an impressive select team of Joanne Kerr, Brenda Delargy and Natash Thursby.

In the top half of the individuals draw the much improved Natasha Thursby made her way to the semi-final with a notable win over multiple World Champion Valeria Taggart in the quarter final. Things didn’t get any easier for Natasha in the semi final as she came up against former N.Ireland champion Susan O’Kane which proved to be just one step too far for her to overcome. In the bottom half of the draw past winner Briege McFaul overcame Francis McCann and Patricia McTasney as she progressed to the semi final but unfortunately had to withdraw from the event at this stage. This handed her semi-final opponent Branda Healy a walk over to the final. Brenda had reached the semi-final with comfortable wins over Leona Harrison and Catherine McDonald. In the final Susan played immaculate pool to be crowned the 2002 Ladies Individual Champion.

In the plate event Jacqueline Gault competing in her first N.Ireland Championship had 3 good wins to make the final where she came up against the vastly experienced Francis McCann. In the evenly contested final Francis’s experience proved to be the difference as she came out on top with a two frames to one win.

With a record 22 lady players entering the individuals all players should be proud of their achievements on the day.

The committee and players would once again like to thanks the staff of Antrim Sports Club for hosting the event.

 

RATHMOYLE 'A' WIN NI SPECIALS TITLE

NORTHERN IRELAND SPECIAL POOL

MENS 2022 TEAM EVENT REPORT

Eight teams made their way to the Antrim Sports Club to take part in the 2022 Men’s Team Event. The pick of the 1st Round matches was the clash of the Independents 2 (Clifford Healy, Kevin Walsh, John Henderson, Johnny McAuley) and Independents 1 (John Brown, Phillip Haveron, Sammy Johnston). In a high standard match the Independents 1 ran out the winners 5 frames to 3 with Sammy Johnston winning all of his 3 frames. The other notable result in Round one was a creditable win for the George Sloan team from Ballymena who overcame Mountfern A by 5 frames to 4. In the Semi-Finals Ballycastle’s Rathmoyle A made their way to the Final with a win over George Sloan where they were joined by the Independents 1 who defeated the Independents 3 team in the other Semi-Final. In the Final itself the Rathmoyle team of Paddy Reid, Clifford McKendry and Eammon McKillop played exceptional high standard of pool with the Player of the Tournament Eammon taking out a fantastic finish to secure a 5 frames to 2 win.

The Final of the Plate competition which was for all 1st Round losers was contested by Mountfern A and the Independents 2 who ran out comfortable winners.

The Committee and players would once again like to thank the Antrim Sports Club, notably Kyle and Rab, for the hospitality shown to everyone who attended.

Photo 1 - Rathmoyle A - Team Winners

Photo 2 - Independents 1 - Team Runners Up

Photo 3 - Independents 2 - Plate Winners

Photo 4 - Mountfern A - Plate Runners Up

Trophies presented by John Clarke, the Northern Ireland Specials 'A' Team Manager 

NORTHERN IRELAND SPECIAL POOL 2022 MENS INDVIDUAL

PADDY IS CHAMPION AGAIN

A total of 20 players travelled to the Antrim Sport Club to compete in NISP’s NI 2022 Men’s Individual Championships. While the field of 20 included all of our top international players it was encouraging to see some new players attending.. The standout match of the 1st round was between Alan Bell and Clifford Healy with Clifford winning 3 frames to 1. Clifford continued his winning ways until he came up against his old rival Paddy Reid in the semi-finals. Paddy could not have had a harder route to the semi-final and had to be playing his best pool to defeat John McKillop, John Brown and John Henderson to get there. In what was the match of the tournament Paddy triumphed by 4 frames to 3.

In the bottom half of the draw Sammy Johnston progressed to the semi final with a comfortable win over Johnny McAuley and a hard-earned win against Eammon McKillop. In the semi final Sammy meet the surprise player of the day, Alan Mills, who was competing at his first NISP event. On his way to the semi final Alan beat Bobby McAllister and Johnny McClurg both of whom are international players. In the semi final it was apparent that the occasion got to Alan and Sammy ran out a comfortable 4 frames to 1 winner.

When it came to final the experienced head of Paddy stood him in good stead and despite Sammy playing pool of a high standard Paddy was crowned the NI champion for the 6th time.

In the plate competition the favourite was undoubtedly Alan Bell and he lived up to this tag as he progressed to the final with wins over Johnny McAuley and Eddie Huey. His opponent in the final was international Phillip Haveron who had very impressive wins against Adrian Loga, Sean Fleming and Jason McAfee in the previous rounds. With two international players in the final the expectation of a high standard final was meet by both players with Phillip winning by 3 frames to 1.

Finally the players and NISP committee would like to thank Clarie and Rab Fee not only for hosting the event but also for the support and encouragement given to all the players. who attended.

Next up the NISP calendar is the NSPA 2022 NI Senior team event which will be played in the Antrim Sports Club on Tuesday 22nd November.

NIPA UNDER 15/18 EVENTS

Enter via our Facebook Page @ Nipa Pool

THE 2022 -2023 NORTHERN IRELAND INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Please note a couple of date changes from original poster.

 

NIPA DIARY OF EVENTS 2022 - 2023 SEASON

 

THE 2023 EBA NATIONS CUP OF POOL

Please note date changes for the 2023 European Blackball Association Nations Cup of Pool. Great to be going back to the fantastic Spa Arena in Bridlington to meet friends old and new. Hard to believe it's 2019 since we were last there.

2022 WORLD BLACKBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS PROGRAMME

Fantastic Programme for the 2022 World Blackball Championships in Albi. watch this for space for the upcoming detailed day to day schedule.

OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES

The NIPA Committee are devastated to learn of the passing of our long time member Gary Johnston early this morning on Sunday 19th June. We would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Gary's brother Stephen and the whole family circle at this very sad time. 

Gary who represented Northern Ireland at Men's and Seniors level had just turned 50 and was looking forward to playing in our Masters section. 

He will be sadly missed. RIP Gary

NEW TEAM NI SPONSORSHIP DEAL

We are absolutely delighted to announce a fantastic new sponsorship deal for Team NI shirts for the upcoming 2022 World Blackball Championships in Albi, France.

"JUST MIST" Vaping Products will provide every player in every section with new Team polo shirts supplied by Onboard Sportswear. Robert also donated £500 to our Under 15 Team & Under 23 Team costs for France. We really cannot thank owner Robert Clarke enough, thank you, thank you, thank you Rab.

EBA 2023 UK SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Northern Ireland Pool Association have been allocated spaces for the 2023 EBA UK Singles Championships on 3rd - 5th February. It will take place in the splendid Grand Hotel in Blackpool on 20 Blackball Tables with Hainsworth Match Cloth and Aramith Pro Cup Balls. There will be a qualified referee on duty at all times.

Spaces are limited so we are asking players who are interested in going to let us know by Friday 10th June 2022. If we get more interest than spaces allocated in any of the four sections (Mens, Ladies, Seniors & Masters) then we may have to run qualifiers. Cost of entry is £100 (Limited to one event per player).

The event will start on Friday 3rd February and finish on Sunday 5th February. There is also an 11 person team event taking place on Thursday 2nd February in memory of the former Scotland legend Gavin Phillips who won the World Blackball Individual Championship at the age of 51 in 2012. What a fantastic player and ambassador for Scottish Pool Gavin was. If we get at least 11 players travelling TEAM NI will be able to enter that too.

Players must stay minimum two night (Friday & Saturday) based on £60 per person sharing or £95 per person single room. Both rates include bed & breakfast.

Each event scheduled to a Double Elimination format, Races to 8 in Winners section and 5 in Losers section.

EVENTS

THURSDAY EVENING

- The Gavin Phillips Memorial 11 Person Team Event

FRIDAY AFTERNOON

- The Trevor Harte Mens UK EBA Singles

- The Jenny Leavens EBA UK Ladies Singles

- The Alan Marshall EBA UK Seniors Singles

- The Gavin Phillips EBA UK Masters Singles

Please contact an NIPA Committee Member if you would like to go

Further details to follow when we get them.

OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES

The Committee of the NIPA would like to pass on our sincere condolences to the family circle and friends of Anton Arthurs who sadly passed away last night at the young age of 34.

Anton represented Northern Ireland at 'B' Level and was a regular player in the Newtownards League.

RIP Anton 

IT'S ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR ALBI

2022 MENS GRAND PRIX

The next Event in the NIPA 2022 Grand Prix Series takes place in Antrim Sports Club on Sunday 3rd April. The first 64 payments received will be guaranteed entry. Draw and scoring on Cuescore.

2022 WILLIE LUCAS SUPER 7s

 

This Saturday 5th March sees the First leg ties in the Quarter Finals of the 2022 NIPA Willie Lucas Super 7s Memorial. The return Leg will be on Sunday 20th March.

Coach Club, Hillsborough  V  Q.Club, Larne

Blackstaff Club, Belfast  V  Q.Sports Academy, Fintona

Crumlin, Antrim  V  Ulster University OB, Belfast

QE2, Carrickfergus  V  Potters, Coleraine

 

Matches start at 2.00pm, Best of 49 frames with matches stopping when a team reaches 25

 

Team Captains as follows

Coach Club ~ Gordon Boomer

Q.Club ~ Ryan Scott

Blackstaff Club ~ Gerard Heaney

Q.Sports Academy ~ Barry Cunningham

Crumlin ~ Kenny Geddis

Ulster Uni ~ James O'Hare

QE2 ~ Gary Wallace

Potters ~ Willie Eakin

 

Score sheets will be delivered to each venue with a copy of Team Captains notes. Any questions from Team Captains please PM us.

 

Best of luck to all teams.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO FRANCE FOR THE BLACKBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN OCTOBER

Following the publication of the EBA and the situation which opposes it to the BI, the French Billiard Federation wishes to affirm its will to conduct its international event scheduled from October 8th to 15th, 2022 in Albi.

The French Billiard Federation confirms its membership of the EBA and will conduct this event with the members of the EBA, regardless of the outcome of the current international situation of Blackball.

Yours in sport,

Jean-Paul SINANIAN
FFB President
Fédération Française de Billard

CS 42202 

CHAMPIONSHIPS WEBSITE LINKS

(To translate into English or South African, please click on the appropriate flag)

CHAMPIONSHIPS INFORMATION HOME PAGE ~ https://www.wbc2022.org

CHAMPIONSHIPS CITY OF ALBI ~ https://www.wbc2022.org/la-ville-d-albi/

CHAMPIONSHIPS VENUE PAGE ~ https://www.wbc2022.org/le-parc-expo/

CHAMPIONSHIPS HOTEL & TRAVEL PAGE ~ https://www.wbc2022.org/hebergements-acces/

CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE STREAMING ~ https://www.wbc2022.org/medias/

Accommodation to be booked via your Governing Body

EBA RESIGN FROM BI

LETTER SENT TO BLACKBALL INTERNATIONAL FROM THE EBA 

Dear members,

The EBA Committee (all nations) has had to make the very hard decision of leaving BlackBall International (BI) which will be as effective immediately at midnight 6th February, for the reasons listed below:

1. We believe that in our interpretation of the constitution BI have acted unconstitutionally and have been informed of this.

2. We have requested an EGM back in September/October 2021 calling a vote of no confidence in the President of BI which fell on deaf ears. We have written a complaint and advised that we would have to review our position within BI to which they responded with arranging a meeting for 2 weeks later, even though it was clear of how detrimental the outcome of this meeting could be to the World Championships.

3. When requested by the EBA to speed up the meetings still more delaying tactics followed from BI.

4. We have no confidence in the President of BI who has demonstrated through his actions in BI that if you do not agree with him he makes sure to get rid of you.

5. We have noted that Malaysia, who was voted in to represent Asia in an EGM that was unconstitutional, has now recognised this and has written to BI rescinding its membership too. Which just reinforces our decision

What we request is that the BI Board be dissolved and the BI Council meet and rewrite the constitution as it is very ambiguous and once we have the constitution rewritten and agreed upon at an AGM with Council members, then and only then can we proceed in electing a board and moving forward.

Once the Board has been dissolved EBA would consider returning so it may input in the rewriting of the constitution and re-election of the Board.

Yours in Sport

Sean Rumbado

EBA Chairman

On Behalf of the EBA Committee

The European Blackball Association

Secretary: David Duncan

31 Blake Street, Dunfermline FIFE KY11 4PW SCOTLAND

Mobile: 07803 264780 e-mail: dduncan65@hotmail.co.uk

EBA email: europeanbb@outlook.com 

Web site: http://www.eba-pool.org

2022 NIPA MENS GRAND PRIX 'B' CATEGORY

 

NIPA 2022 LADIES GRAND PRIX

 

UNDER 15/18 EVENTS