Annette Newman from Carlow won the RILSA National Ranking 5 of the season taking the Kildare Open title at Sharkx recently.
In the quarters Annette who was up against fellow Carlow player and good friend Stephanie Morrison where she took the win 2 nil comfortably to make the semis. In the semis Annette stepped up a gear against Joanna Ward from Kildare with a number of small breaks and closing out with a 28 to take the win 2 nil for a place in the final.
Carrie Randle from Kilkenny had to dig deep against Christine Carr from Kildare to make it through with a 2 nil score line which was close taking both frames on the pink to meet Annette in the final.
In the first frame Carrie had chances to take it going down to the pink ball which Annette took on to pot for frame and go 1 ahead in this best of 3 final. The 2nd frame was all Annette from the start making a number of small breaks and a 20 to leave Carrie needing snookers on the colours. Annette was to take up to the brown to seal the match and win.
Congratulations to Annette on her win and to Carrie on a fine performance throughout. Thanks to all the players for their participation. Thanks to Bernie and Paul of Sharkx for their continued support towards female cue sports.
As this was the last ranking event of the 2019-2020 a full report on the National Rankings will follow later. As Annette had already secured her number 1 spot after the Dublin Open in February it was down to the other players to see where they would finish the season.
Cathy Dunne who was 4th last season is now the Irish number 2 which is a great result for her. 3rd place is Christine Carr who has remained in the top 4 for the past two seasons. Up from 11th last season is Jennifer Earle from Dublin making the top 4 at 4th place for the very first time. Margaret Browne from Meath is up from 8th last season to 5th this season, another good result for her.
Joanna Ward from Kildare is in 6th spot for the very first time which is a great result for her first season with RILSA. Michelle French also from Kildare who makes the top 8 at 7th spot for the first time also, is yet another successful season on the RILSA tour for her. Staying in the top 8 at 8th place for the past 6 seasons is Tina Keogh from Offaly, very consistent results indeed.
Annette now extends her new record having held the Irish Ladies Number 1 place for the last 5 seasons in a row, a record which will be difficult to break but not impossible however as there are many players on the tour who are very capable of breaking records.
Making it to the top 16 for the first time are the following, Stephanie Morrison from Carlow at 11th, Carrie Randle from Kilkenny at 16th. Players moving down within the top 16 are Louise Jordan from Meath from 3rd to 9th, Paula Judge from Dublin 6th to 10th.
Players going out of the top 16 are, Rachael Bradley from Kildare 10th to 43rd, Suzanne Randle from Kilkenny 15th to 60th and Megan Randle from Kilkenny 14th to 36th.
Emirjeta Doda from Dublin holds her number 12th spot for the second season.
As you can see many great results for our players. Congratulations to all of you who made progress and we thank everyone who supported and participated our events during the 2019-2020 season.