Margaret O’Driscoll from Kerry retained her National Masters Snooker Championship title at the RILSA Academy Sharkx Newbridge recently.
At the quarter final stage Tina Keogh from Offaly had to battle hard against Grushenka Arnold from Dublin to eventually get over the line in a very closely contested match 2 frames to 1 to set up a semi final meeting with the current holder of the title, Margaret O’Driscoll from Kerry.
Cathy Dunne from Dublin had a good 2 nil win over Valerie Maloney from Laois to advance to the semis to meet Annette Newman from Carlow.
Margaret won the first frame comfortably against Tina with a 26 break to move ahead in this best of 3, however Tina pushed Margaret all the way to a black ball finish in the second and had a few chances to level but Margaret took the black ball after bout of play to take the win and a place in the final.
Cathy and Annette’s match would see both players keep a close first frame going down to the pink ball with Cathy potting to go a frame up, again frame two was close going all the way to yet another pink ball and Cathy potted to take the win and meet Margaret in the final.
The final itself saw both players playing good snooker and the match could have gone either way as they kept it close but it would go Margaret’s way as she took the first on the pink and the second on a black ball finish giving her the title of Masters National Snooker Champion for the second year in a row.
Margaret was delighted to retain the title and the Noel Murphy Memorial Shield, she like some of our older members remember Noel who was a great advocate and supporter of female cue sports and refereed on the RILSA tour for many years, giving of his time freely, which was always appreciated.
Congratulations to Margaret on retaining the title and well done to Cathy on a fine performance. Thanks to all the girls for their support and participation. Thanks to Bernie, Paul and staff of Sharkx as always providing excellent facilities for our events.
