Louise Maher from Kilkenny won her second National Intermediate ranking event in a row at the RILSA Academy Sharkx Newbridge recently.
The event was again played in a knockout 1 frame format.
In the prelim round Suzanne Randle from Limerick won her match against Christine Carr from Kildare to go into the quarters. Louise Maher from Kilkenny had a close encounter against Stephanie Foley from Carlow taking the frame on the black to meet Suzanne in the quarters. Carrie Randle from Wicklow had a good win over Michelle Morris from Donegal for a quarter final place while Elizabeth Lynch from Offaly won her frame against Laura Hughes from Limerick to complete the quarter final line up.
Louise continued her good form against Suzanne and won the frame to advance into the semis. An all Dublin clash between Grushenka Arnold and Jennifer Earle would see the frame go to a pink ball finish with Grushenka taking it to meet Louise in the semis. At the other end of the draw we saw Tina Keogh from Offaly win a black ball finish against Joanna Ward from Kildare to advance and Carrie had a good win over Elizabeth to complete the semi final line up.
Louise who played Grushenka in the previous Intermediate final had to once again dig deep to take the win and a place in a second final while Tina overcame a strong challenge from Carrie to take the win on a pink ball to meet Louise in the final.
In the final both players were close all the way to the colours but Louise finished strong potting brown to pink to take her second Intermediate Ranking win in a row.
Congratulations to Louise on her win and well done to Tina on a fine performance. Thanks to all the ladies for their support. Thanks to Bernie, Paul and staff of Sharkx for all their support. Thanks to Dave Earle for officiating throughout the day.
