Nenagh Snooker Open is growing into a Major event

New Institute Snooker Club and AMC Cue Sports are hosting their largest ever Nenagh Open Tournament this October Bank Holiday weekend.

It is the 13th edition of the event, with an entry of 45 players, in the five-table club in Friar Street, which will run from Thursday morning from 10.00am to the final on the evening of Bank Holiday Monday, October 26th.

This years tournament is set to be the biggest ever with players from four countries competing for the €16,400 prize fund and a first prize of €5,000.

The tournament will see five ex-professionals competing along with the top amateurs from around the world. It promises to be an exciting event.

For the players that don’t qualify for the knock-out stages in the main event, there is a second chance tournament to play, won last year by Andy McCloskey.

In the main competition, local man Brendan O’Donoghue, not only ran the event like clockwork as tournament director, he summoned up every ounce of energy and the will he had to cross the finish line in winning the event for the second-time.

Chief organisers Brendan O’Donoghue and Andy McCloskey have done something unique with the Nenagh Open, changing a well-run and supported amateur event through generous sponsorship into something of a professional event played by amateurs.

Like all events, the matter is in the detail. The Nenagh Open is sanctioned by the world amateur snooker body International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) and the national association Snooker & Billiards Ireland (SBI). Lough Derg Tourism Board has endorsed the tournament with any foreign players, on their off days, taking in some of the scenic routes Tipperary and neighbouring counties has to offer.

No stone is left unturned in their approach with accommodation and after a long day’s play, a social gathering usually in Andy Flynn’s Gastropub each night.

What makes this a different tournament is the terrific blanket coverage that OX Billiards Youtube Channel give the tournament.

The Nenagh Open started in 2013 in which there have been only four ever winners; David Hogan, Davy Morris, Brendan O’Donoghue and current professional Aaron Hill.

However, the Nenagh Open has turned into a different animal. Players have been using amateur competitions in August, September and early October to get ready for Nenagh. It might not have the history of the Irish Amateur Championships but there is no other amateur event that comes close to the event at the moment.

Irish snooker historian’s will say the Nenagh Open is similar to the big tournaments from years ago, such as the 1983 Evening Herald Tournament, which had a prize fund of £10,000, with the RTE showing the final between Mick Kane and Jimmy Long.

Also, the 1984 Seiko-Tallaght International Amateur Snooker Tournament, won by Malta’s Tony Drago defeating Welshman Steve Newbury 5-1 and picking up £3,000; the Mint Pro-Am in 1991 won by a 15-year-old John Higgins who defeated Ken Doherty and receiving £5,000; the Liam O’Connor Memorial Pro-Am held between 2003 to 2005 at the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, won by Ken Doherty and Dominic Dale.

Over the last few seasons, large prize-money events have gone the extra mile, including the Blackstaff Handicap Classic in Belfast and the Newbridge Pro-Am in Kildare.

If the Irish Amateur Championship is the World Championship in the domestic game, the Nenagh Open is its UK Championship, one of its majors.

From day one back in 2013, the format had best of 7 frames. The entry fee is the big change, rising from €30 to €300. There are pluses and minuses to this, but ultimately the best players come out and are prepared for it.

Critics can go on about it being elitist and it doesn’t add to the Irish snooker calendar. The counter is, there’s a knock-on effect with other tournaments, it adds to them to the lead up to the Nenagh Open.

Organisers Brendan O’Donoghue and Andy McCloskey should be commended by doing something different and unique. The return of an old school event, where players stay around and have a social, sing song and many conversations about snooker, can only be a good thing.

Both men have also run two successful tournaments in America, including in Sacramento (March 2025) & Seattle (March 2026). Without their professional team, they would have all these ideas but nowhere to go. A team that consists of Christian Younger, OX Billiards Channel owner, Rodney Goggins doing commentary, as unfortunately Dave Burnie won’t be able to make the trip this time, and will be missed and Desislava Bozhilova, head referee and World Snooker referee.

All spectators are welcome to attend. For folk and players that can’t get down to support the tournament, there will be a streaming service for the tournament with live commentary courtesy of the company, OX Billiards YouTube Channel.

Sponsors of the 2026 Nenagh Open include: Andy Flynn’s Gastropub; Kirby Group, Talbots Menswear, Mr Binman, Abbey Court Hotel; Up Eats; The Peppermill Restaurant, AMC Office Services, Costello Oil, Cue Action Store and Romano’s Takeaway.

NENAGH OPEN ROLL OF HONOUR

2013 - David Hogan 4-1 Michael Judge

2014 - David Hogan 5-2 Robert Murphy

2015 - Davy Morris (Pro) 4-3 Brendan O’Donoghue

2016 - David Hogan 5-1 John Farrell

2017 - Davy Morris (Pro) 5-3 Ryan Cronin

2018 - Davy Morris 5-4 Brendan O’Donoghue

2019 - Davy Morris 5-3 Ryan Cronin

2020 – No event

2021 - Brendan O’Donoghue 5-3 Michael Judge

2022 - Davy Morris 5-3 Ross Bulman

2023 - Aaron Hill (Pro) 5-4 Davy Morris

2024 - Aaron Hill (Pro) 5-2 Brendan O’Donoghue

2025 - Brendan O’Donoghue 5-3 Michael Judge

Historical Highest Break: 2018 – Davy Morris 139