Cathy Dunne from Dublin won the first National Ranking event of the season, the Griffith Cup at the RILSA Academy Sharkx Newbridge. This the 30th year of the Griffith Cup which was set up and sponsored by the Griffith Club back in 1992 and is one of our oldest titles to remain on the RILSA tour.
Cathy who won the Cup for the first time in 2017 and regained it in 2019 now makes it 3 times winner of it in 2022.
In the last 16 of the draw, Tina Keogh from Offaly had a good 2 nil win over Grushenka Arnold from Dublin to advance to the quarters. Louise Maher from Kilkenny went all the way to the 3rd frame with Joanna Ward from Kildare to take the win 2 -1 to make it through.
Claire Mill from Dublin won her match against newcomer Katie Kiernan from Louth 2 frames to nil. Margaret O’Driscoll from Kerry and our current National Champion took the first frame against Christine Carr from Kildare with a 27 break but frame 2 would see it go to a black ball finish with Margaret taking it to make it into the quarters. Sandra Bryan from Wexford got a walkover from Valerie Maloney from Laois who had an injury and could not play.
Annette Newman from Carlow had a close match with Tina, with the match level at 1-1, however Annette took her chances in the 3rd to take the win and a place in the semis. Cathy Dunne from Dublin played good snooker against Louise and took the win 2 frames to nil to meet Annette in the semis.
At the other end of the draw, Margaret had to draw on all her experience to eventually take the win in the 3rd frame on a black ball finish against Claire who had a few chances to oust the champion but it was not to be and Margaret advanced to the semis. Sandra played solid snooker against Elizabeth Lynch from Offaly to get the win 2 frames to nil to meet Margaret in the semi finals
Cathy played well against Annette to get a place in the final taking the win 2 frames to nil, likewise Margaret was on form against Sandra and went through to meet Cathy in the final taking the win 2 nil.
The final itself saw good snooker played by both players but Cathy had the edge right from the start playing well taking frame 1 in this best of 3, Margaret had chances to level in frame 2, however Cathy kept her focus and potted blue pink and black for frame and match to take the win.
Congratulations to Cathy on a great win and well done to Margaret on her fine performance. Well done to all our players who participated and enjoyed the competition.
We are delighted to see another newcomer to the tour with Katie Kiernan representing Louth. She is the first player to come from the county to play on tour and wish her every success on tour. Katie now brings us to 19 counties represented on tour, an amazing achievement for our development and promotions
Thanks to Bernie, Paul and Leon of Sharkx for all their support towards female cue sports
