Ballymena cueist Brian Hannaway (pictured right with NIPA Chairman Willie Lucas) has won a gruelling 2 day Competition which will decide the Northern Ireland team squads for the European Masters in Yorkshire, next April. He played awesome Pool and held his nerve to come through two play offs, going on to beat Antrim's Declan Lavery in the Final. Brian wins an 'A' Team squad place, return flights, accommodation and £250 spending money at the World Championships. Declan wins an 'A' Team squad place, return flights and £125 spending money, whilst Raymond Baxter from Coleraine and Jason Heffron from Newtownards both win 'A' Team squad places, free return flights and £50 spending money each.
There were 96 players entered at the event which was held in the splendid Park Plaza Hotel, Antrim. After playing 30 single frames each, the leaderboard was as follows. 23 J. Heffron. 22 R. Baxter, D. Lavery. 21 B. Hannaway, K. English, B. Crilly & T. McCorry. The four on 21 played off to determine the final 4 places and it was Hannaway who came through to enter the last 4 shootout.
Last 4
Brian Hannaway 4-2 Jason Heffron, Declan Lavery 4-3 Raymond Baxter
Final
Brian Hannaway 5-1 Declan Lavery
In the Ladies event, 24 players took part and it was current Northern Ireland Champion Claire Stewart from Antrim who won the 1st prize of an 'A' Team squad place, return flights and £100 spending money. Debby Murphy from Bangor won an 'A' Team squad place, return flights and £50 spending money. Claire won 13 from 15 and Debbie 12 from 15.
A breakdown of the stats can be seen on the left hand column at the bottom of the page.
The NIPA would like to thank our sponsor Darren Clarke from MOES GRILL at Junction One shopping outlet in Antrim. Also, the staff and management of the Park Plaza Hotel. And finally all the players for making this event a huge success.
