Margaret O’Driscoll from Kerry has retained her National Amateur Snooker Championship Title at the RILSA Academy Sharkx Newbridge recently in a mirror final of that of 2023 against Claire Mill from Dublin. This is Margaret’s 8th National Amateur Snooker Title of her career in cue sports breaking a record that Julie Kelly from Wexford held for over 20 years, an amazing achievement for the Kerry woman
This years Championship saw the top 16 from the National Ranking list qualify to the Championship with all players seeded according to their ranking into the draw
At the last 16 of the Championship Annette Newman from Carlow got a bye over Delia Keane from Dublin to the Quarters, Claire Mill from Dublin had a bye to the Quarters from Joanna Ward from Kildare, Cathy Dunne from Dublin had a bye from Louise Maher from Kilkenny and Stephanie Foley moved to the Quarters with a bye from Veronica Hallahan from Dublin
Jennifer Earle from Dublin had a good 2 nil win over Valerie Maloney from Laois to meet Annette Newman in the Quarters, Sandra Bryan from Wexford had a close encounter against Tina Keogh from Offaly with the match level at 1-1 it would go all the way to a black ball finish with Sandra taking it to advance. Grushenka Arnold from Dublin had a good 2 nil win over Christine Carr from Kildare to advance to the Quarters and complete the Quarter final line up
Annette Newman the current number 1 had to dig deep against Jennifer in frame 3 to eventually get over the line in their match for a semi final place. Margaret O’Driscoll from Kerry played solid snooker against Sandra to take the win 2 frames to nil to meet Annette in the semis
At the other end of the draw Claire was in good form against Grushenka and took the win 2 nil to advance to the semis and likewise Cathy proved too strong for Stephanie in their match to take the win 2 nil to meet Claire in the semis
Annette struggled to get form against Margaret in their match but kept it close in both frames with Margaret clearing up in the colours to take the win 2 frames to nil, Claire took the first against Cathy in a close frame and it would go all the way to pink and black in the second with Claire taking the pink and doubled the black to the green pocket for frame and match and to set up a repeat of the 2023 final
In the final both players struggled for form but Margaret held firm and picked of a number of small breaks in each frame to take the win and title 2 frames to nil
Congratulations to Margaret on her win and well done to Claire on a fine performance. Thanks to all the ladies for their support especially on a bank holiday weekend that saw a few qualifiers away on holiday. Thanks to Dave Earle who officiated throughout the day and refereed the Final. Thanks to Bernie, Paul and staff of Sharkx for their continued support towards female cue sports
Well done to Sandra Bryan on winning the plate competition against Tina Keogh in the final
