The Annual General Meeting of Female Cue Sports Ireland was held recently at the Keadeen Hotel Newbridge. The attendance was good as we celebrate 40 years of RILSA
The Chairperson Dan Carroll welcomed everyone in attendance and thanked them for their support. Dan thanked the Board of Female Cue Sports Ireland for all their hard work during a very busy season
Dan thanked all our members across Ireland, all the girls within our member Schools, the Principals and Teachers, our 48 Coaches, our Referees. Bernie, Paul and staff of Sharkx for all their support, Fergal, Jo, Phil and staff of the Celbridge Club. The Referees Association that showed us support Neil, Shane, Brendan and Aonghus, we really appreciate each and everyone who have any part to play in supporting us in any way possible and of course the Billiard Community that we are proud to be part of. Aidan, Wayne, Fergal for all their coaching workshops, and the WBL Board, thank you one and all
As we celebrate 40 years it was important to acknowledge those who have since passed away and gave so much to the early development of the Organisation
Tommy Goulding (Mr Wiggle Waggle) Des Campbell Terry Rogers Jack Rogers Paddy Comerford Paddy Williams Finbar Ruane Sen Dermot Dalton Noel Murphy Jimmy Kinsella Larry O’Dea Mary Connell Georgina Forrestal Ann Maloney Mary Redmond Maureen Butler Greta Browne Olive Coates
The following is a report from our National Secretary Dave Earle
The 2025/2026 RILSA Season was another success for female cue sports here in Ireland. Our Calendar is one of the busiest in the World with over 50 events held during the season along with 470 women and girls participating in events and open days
Our National Championship and Ranking Events were well attended, with an average of 15 entries for each event. The Intermediate Championship and Ranking events were again well attended with an average of 12 entries for each event.
Our Billiards Association saw an increase in players which is encouraging.
I would like to thank all our clubs for hosting events during the past season and all our players that have supported our events. A special thanks to Fergal, Jo, Phil and staff of the Celbridge Club and Bernie and Paul of Sharkx for all their support.
Congratulations to all the winners of our events during the season and well done to all of you for your participation
Our 3 new coaches along with 8 assistant coaches bring a total now of 48 qualified female coaches that will play a vital part in helping us to further develop female cue sports and I wish them well and that they have the full support of the Organisation
Our referees have done exceptional work throughout the season and I thank them for their dedication.
Thanks to Fergal O’Brien for all his support and Aidan Murray for all his great work at St Mark’s Special School
Thanks to Wayne Doyle for his workshop and Aonghus McAnally along with Dave Causier on an excellent evening of Billiards in Sharkx
Thanks to the Board of Female Cue Sports Ireland for all their hard work and commitment in promoting female cue sports.
The following is a report by the Chairperson Dan Carroll
Membership reached 1331 – 331 new members between January 2025 & June 2026
980 Women & Girls have competed at National Level since September 2014
675 Girls have played snooker at school/college level since 2014
470 women & girls have played in RILSA events during last season
3 qualified introductory snooker & billiard female coaches trained along with 8 young girls trained as assistant coaches, bringing our coaching panel to 48 females
Annette Newman participated in the WBL Irish Open and refereed
Annette Newman represented us at the Women’s World Billiards Championship in Landywood UK
Dave Earle & Stephanie Foley Refereed throughout the WBL Irish Open and World Matchplay in Carlow
Thanks to Fergal O’Brien for his coaching workshops that were well attended.
Thanks to all the work and coaching by Aidan Murray at the Academy and St Marks Special School Newbridge
Thanks to Wayne Doyle for his support and Aonghus McAnally and Dave Causier New tables were delivered to St Joseph’s Mercy Navan and a second table to St Leo’s College Carlow
Many Coaching days allocated to further develop female cue sports
Hedgehog Productions have completed the Documentary on us
New home Nations events to be rolled out in the near future
Documentary will be aired on Tuesday 29th September 2026 at the Seven Oaks Hotel Carlow
10 new National School academies established
Dave Causier Exhibition
Academy at Sharkx received new table cloths in time for our National Amateur Snooker Championship
16 Girls continue the two year scholarship at Sharkx
Scholarship at Maynooth University established Women’s International Cue Sports Association Established
Dan followed his report with a detailed Power Point Presentation
There were two Proposals. One to keep the qualification for the RILSA National Amateur and Intermediate Snooker Tours for their respective National Championships to top 16 on the Ranking lists at the end of the season with the option of possible places available should any of the top 16 not be available due to unforeseen circumstances and that the Board will look at this at the end of the season
Two, it was decided that a small increase in the entry fees be introduced for a few of the National Championships during the season with a prize fund made available according to entries
Both Proposals we unanimously agreed
Elections
The current Board members were willing to stay on for another three year term and as there were no objections and a show of hands with everyone unanimously in agreement that the outgoing Board Members be duly re-elected for another three year term
Congratulations to the Board of Female Cue Sports Ireland for continuing to support, develop and promote Female Cue Sports
President Annette Newman
Chairperson Dan Carroll
Secretary Dave Earle
Treasurer Valerie Maloney
Asst Chairperson Delia Keane
Asst Secretary Joanna Ward
Asst Treasurer Tina Keogh
Garda Vetting Officer & Safeguarding Designated Officer Stephanie Foley
Anti-Doping Officer Dr Gerard Colleran
