O’Donoghue wins Nenagh Snooker Open
Nenagh’s own Brendan O’Donoghue was the winner of the Nenagh Open Snooker tournament held last weekend.
The Irish number one amateur player defeated professional Michael Judge in the final. Brendan had breaks of 49, 69, 73 and 104 to win 5-3.
Brendan O’Donoghue was presented with the new Nenagh Open Perpetual Cup, donated by an emotional Thomas Ryan and family in remembrance of his brother Dan Ryan, a former caretaker of the New institute building. It was fitting that Brendan would win and keep the cup in the club for at least this year.
In his acceptance speech, Brendan O’Donoghue praised Tony Seymour and Seamus Harty for the grant securement and planning of the works carried out and said with the help of the snooker club committee have raised the bar for all snooker clubs in the country.
The standard was very high with Aaron Hill (winner over Ronnie O’Sullivan in the European Masters) beaten in the last 16 by an inspired Philly Browne from Dublin. Philly was beaten in the semi-finals by Michael Judge who knocked in breaks of 124, 114, 97 and 63 to win 4-1. Earlier, Judge just missed out on a 147 after fourteen reds and blacks against Irish international Stephen Bateman from Kilkenny in another great match with Judge coming through 4-3. Brendan O’Donoghue overcame four-time Nenagh Open winner and former professional Davy Morris 4-1 in another high-scoring affair.
In earlier rounds, three other Nenagh players, Tony Seymour, Dave Garrett and Chris Hayden put in solid efforts. All in preparation for the upcoming Munster and All-Ireland Club Championships of which Nenagh are current Munster champions.
A close match for Dave Garrett against Limerick’s Tommy O’Donoghue. Dave has been working hard on his game with a brace of recent century breaks but went down to Tommy in a close affair. Recent club member Chris Hayden went down to Philly Browne 4-1. Tony Seymour beat recent intermediate champion Kevin McMahon 4-2 followed by a close defeat 4-2 in the last 16 to recent European Masters champion Mark Tuite.
Great praise was given for the quality of the facilities and conditions in the club by the players and spectators. It is fitting that S.B.I (Snooker & Billiards Ireland) Irish snooker governing body have awarded Nenagh Snooker Club the Irish Club Championships which take place next weekend and the Irish Amateur Championships qualifier in December.
A special thanks to be given to Tipperary County Council for their continued support which is extremely important for the continuation of this event, as well as Mick White for his help getng the club ready to host the event.
Membership: are still available for anyone interested in learning the game.
Coaching: continues next Thursday at 5.30pm. All welcome. Call 0879604696 for inquiries. Check out New Institute Snooker Club facebook page.