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Winner - Corey Sweeney |
Corey Sweeney has lifted the
Northern Ireland 2011 Under 18s title. The 17 year old beat Ballymena's 16 year old Lee Wright in an exciting final to make it 3 titles in a week for Coleraine, following on from Scott Clarke in the Under 21s and the Coleraine Interleague team.
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Runner Up - Lee Wright |
The Competition was played to a round robin format with the top 4 progressing to the Semi Final stage. After the group stage was complete, Lee Wright had 19 points, Scott Clarke 16, Corey Sweeney and Lee McIlreavy 14. Both Semi Finals went to deciding frames, Lee Wright edging out Lee McIlreavy and Corey Sweeney just getting past Scott Clarke both by 4-3 scorelines. In the final Wright took a 1-0 lead with a good finish, but Sweeney levelled at 1-1, then took out a sweet 8 ball clearance for a 2-1 lead. Back came Wright in frame 4 to make it 2-2. The tension was showing in frame 5 as both players missed chances, but it was Wright who eventually sunk the black for a 3-2 lead. Corey picked the right time for a break and dish in the next to ensure the match would go to a decider in this best of 7 encounter. Lee broke, they split well but the white cannoned into the middle pocket, Corey went for game but ran out of position on his last red. Wright then went for his clearance but his last colour down the rail juggled in the jaws to leave Sweeney a cuttable shot which he duly executed to land plum on the black for a 4-3 victory.
Well done to all the lads who took part and thanks again to Ballymena United Social Club for their hospitality. Pictured above, NIPA Vice Chairperson Debby Walker presents the finalists with their trophies.