It's a big congratulations to Omagh, who are the new 2013 N.I.P.A Interleague Blackball Champions. In a great Competition in Larne's St Comgalls Club, they topped a hard group before meeting Sixmilewater (Antrim) in the Semi Final. World Ranked Number 9 Snooker star Mark Allen was playing for Rab Fee's Sixmilwater team but Omagh were undaunted and secured their place in the Final courtesy of a 12-9 victory. Waiting in the Final were holders and favourites Coleraine, who had just knocked out the hosts Larne. Damian Corrigan's Omagh lads wasted no time as they outpotted their opponents in the early stages. It wasn't long before they led by 11-4 needing just one more frame for victory, but a late rally by Coleraine brought it back to 11-8. Incredibly, with the last 3 frames going on simultaneously, Coleraine were big favourites in all 3, but a missed black to the middle let Chris Beattie back to the table and the wee man duly doubled it into the top corner pocket to send the Tyrone men wild with delight.
North Down & Ards added the 'A' Event Plate to the 'B' Event one, which they had won 24 hours earlier beating Carrick in the Final by 6-5.Top photo - Omagh celebrate with the Interleague shield
Right - Dave McKendry (in red), Chairman of the St Comgalls Club presents the Shield to winning Captain, Mark Stockton
Bottom - North Down and Ards with the Plate Event Shield
Group 1
2 Larne (+8)
2 Ballymena (+1)
2 Crumlin (-10)
Group 2
4 Sixmilewater (+4)
2 Carrick (0)
0 Town & Country (-4)
Group 3
4 Coleraine (+8)
2 North Down & Ards (-2)
0 Ballyclare (-22)
Semi Finals
Omagh 12-9 Sixmilewater
Coleraine 12-8 Larne
Final
Omagh 12-8 Coleraine
Plate Prelims
North Down & Ards 6-1 Town & Country
Ballyclare 6-2 Crumlin
Plate Semi Finals
Carrick 6-3 Ballymena
North Down & Ards 6-1 Ballyclare
Plate Final
North Down & Ards 6-5 Carrick
The NIPA would like to thank the Staff and Committee of the St Comgalls Club for their hospitality shown to us at our events over the last 16 days. Also thanks to Trevor Harte and Pauline Lynch for a great job over the last 2 days at the top table.
