Neil McKelvey from Larne (pictured right receiving the trophy from NIPA Special Pool Secretary Pauline Lynch) is the 2010 Northern Ireland Individual Blackball Champion. After a long day of Pool at the Park Plaza Hotel he sunk the final black of the day for a tremendous 7-2 win over favourite Ronan McCarthy (pictured below centre). Neil, who came so close last year when Runner Up to Rab Fee of Antrim, was in fantastic form all day as he added the Northern Ireland title to the All Ireland Blackball title he won in 2009, receiving the winners trophy and a cheque for £500. On his route to victory he beat E.Allen 4-0, M.Davidson 4-0, J.Killen 4-2 T.McCorry 5-4, L.Hull 5-1, T.Morrow 6-3 and R.McCarthy 7-2. In the final he went 1-0 up, but back came McCarthy with 2 fine clearances to lead 2-1. It looked like going to 3-1 but McKelvey edged frame 4 to level at 2-2. And the title was his when he reeled off the next 5 in a row with some breathtaking clearances. McCarthy had overcome Darren Sterrett in the other Semi by 6-5 in another classic match. Neil's win qualifies him to play in the Northern Ireland Masters Competition in Larne in April. Well done to all the players who entered the event and made it such a success.
Results from Last 16 onwards
Terry McDowell 5-3 David Riddle, Ronan McCarthy 5-2 Hugh Regan, Bill McIlroy Jr 5-4 Tom Leggett, Darren Sterrett 5-1 Lee Wright, Neil McKelvey 5-4 Tom McCorry, Lee Hull 5-3 Sam Newell, Tommy Morrow 5-1 Hans Kruitjen, Rab Fee 5-0 Davy Tosh
Last 8
Neil McKelvey 5-1 Lee Hull, Tommy Morrow 5-3 Rab Fee, Ronan McCarthy 5-1 Terr
y McDowell, Darren Sterrett 5-3 Bill McIlroy JrSemi Finals
Neil McKelvey 6-3 Tommy Morrow, Ronan McCarthy 6-5 Darren Sterrett
Final
Neil McKelvey 7-2 Ronan McCarthy
In the Plate Competition the experienced Frankie Brammeld defeated John McVeigh from Craigavon by 3-0 in the Final. (pictured below right Frankie receives his winners prize from NIPA Secretary Robert Hawkins)
Brian Crilly from North Down won the 'Shoot Pool' Competition prize of £100 with an amazing run of 101 staight pots.
The ballot of a Mothers Day hamper was won by Neil Campbell from Ballyclare.
Acknowledgements
The NIPA would like to thank the management and staff of the Park Plaza Hote
l for their efforts and hospitality in helping us stage this event. Nothing was a problem for them. Thanks also go to Trevor Whiteside, Darren Shannon and Cliff Allison for installing the lighting and to all the NIPA Committee who were involved in any way in running events over the weekend. A special mention for Tournament Director Trevor Harte and assistant Pauline Lynch who sat tirelessly over the 2 days running events to a very high standard.
