Well, by now all the remaining of the near 100 total players, officials, family and friends that represented Team NI should be safely back home from the 2019 EBA Euros in Bridlington. As always it was a real roller coaster of highs and lows but team spirit amongst the players was very high as we mixed it with some of the best cueists in Europe.
MENS A
Written off by many, the guys that stood up to represent us were fantastic winning five out of nine matches. Qualified out of the Group only to lose to eventual Runners Up Malta in the Semi Final Play Off. Earlier we pushed eventual Winners Wales all the way only going down 13-12. Great experience on the biggest stage of all for the guys five out of the six having never played in the A Section before.
MENS B
Finished eighth in a very tough thirteen team group, missing out on qualification. Five wins seven defeats two of which were by 11-10.
LADIES A
Qualified comfortably out of the Group in second spot behind England but agonisingly missed out on a Final spot after going down to Scotland by 13-12 in a tense Semi Final. But the disappointment was short lived as the girls roared on Emma Cunningham to victory in the Ladies Individual Final against Kerry Griffiths from England. This is the second year in a row Emma has taken Gold, can she do the hat trick ? I definitely wouldn't bet against it.
LADIES B
Finished bottom of Group with no wins. Couple of near misses but hopefully the girls can improve at their next event
SENIORS A
Qualified from Group but lost out in Semi Final Play Off by 13-10 to Malta. Some good performances though. Andy Arbuthnot reached the Seniors Individual Quarter Finals losing out to eventual Runner Up Derek Smyth from Ireland
SENIORS B
Finished eighth out of nine but were rewarded for their hard work and commitment with two wins in the Group stage
MASTERS A
Good campaign for the Masters A, qualified out of the Group at the expense of a very strong Ireland team. They led Scotland 4-1 in the Semi Final but eventually went down 13-9 missing out on a Final spot. Masters cueist Willie Eakin just missed out on Gold in the Individual as he made the Final with some fantastic performances, only to lose to Rob Tait from Wales.
MASTERS B
Five wins from nine seen our Masters B Team qualify for a Semi Final Play Off spot. But it wasn't to be as we lost out 13-9 to Scotland
We had some superb performances from a lot of players too many to mention, but here are the top gunners in each Section
BEST PERCENTAGES
MENS A - Lee McIlreavy (62.22% from 45 frames played)
MENS B - Alistair Wilson (66.67% from 36 frames played)
LADIES A - Emma Cunningham (75.00% from 40 frames played)
LADIES B - Jean McIlroy (46.67% from 30 frames played)
SENIORS A - Dan Clarke & Gee Crawley both 62.22% from 45 frames played each)
SENIORS B - Kevin Duffy (43.59% from 39 frames played)
MASTERS A - Brian Crilly (73.68 from 38 frames played)
MASTERS B - Alan Johnston (66.67% from 45 frames played)
MOST FRAMES WON
MENS A - Lee McIlreavy (28 wins, joint 4th in whole section)
MENS B - Alastair Wilson (24 wins, 2nd in whole section)
LADIES A - Emma Cunningham (30 wins, winner in whole section)
LADIES B - Jean McIlroy (14 wins)
SENIORS A - Dan Clarke & Gee Crawley (Both 28 wins)
SENIORS B - Kevin Duffy (17 wins)
MASTERS A - Stephen Johnston (39 wins, 2nd in whole section)
MASTERS B - Alan Johnston (30 wins, joint winner in whole section)
