Margaret O’Driscoll from Kerry won the Stars Academy Masters Ranking event at the RILSA Academy Sharkx Newbridge recently and in doing so made it two in a row for the Kerry woman.
In the preliminary round, newcomer Christine Henderson from Donegal had a good 2 nil win over Joanna Ward from Kildare. Margaret O’Driscoll from Kerry won her match against Suzanne Randle from Limerick 2 frames to nil to advance. Newcomer Elizabeth Killeen from Galway played good snooker to oust Christine Carr from Kildare 2 nil and Carrie Randle from Wicklow would see off a challenge from Michelle Morris from Donegal taking the win 2 nil to complete the last 16 line up
Annette Newman from Carlow won her match 2 frames to nil against Grushenka Arnold from Dublin for a quarter final place, Christine Henderson continued her good from with a 2 frame to nil win over Louise Maher from Kilkenny to make it to her first quarter final on tour.
Megan Randle from Wicklow had to see off a good challenge from Stephanie Foley from Carlow taking the win 2-1 for a quarter final place. Sandra Bryan from Wexford was in good form against newcomer Laura Hughes from Limerick to take the win 2 frames to nil. Claire Mill from Dublin had to play well against Elizabeth Lynch from Offaly to take the win 2 nil to advance while Margaret continued her form against Tina Keogh from Offaly with a 2 nil win. Elizabeth Killeen kept up her good form against Jennifer Earle from Dublin to advance into her first quarter final on tour and the last match in the last 16 saw Cathy Dunne from Dublin oust Carrie Randle 2 nil to complete the quarter final line up.
Christine took Annette to a black ball in frame 1 but Annette potted the black to take the frame and went on to up the stakes in the second with Christine needing snookers on the colours but it was not to be for the Donegal woman as Annette finished strong for a place in the semis. Megan would fight it out against Sandra in their match with it level at 1-1, it would go to the wire on the colours with Megan taking the frame needed to meet Annette in the semis.
At the other end of the draw, Margaret continued her good form against Claire who had a few chances to level the match, however Margaret took the two frames needed for a place in the semis. Cathy would see off Elizabeth Killeen in a good display of snooker to win the match 2 frames to nil to meet Margaret and complete the semi final line up.
Megan took frame 1 but Annette fought back in the second to level the match 1-1 taking the pink ball, frame 3 would see Megan play some good snooker towards the end to take the win 2-1 for a place in the final. On the other table it was a close encounter between Margaret and Cathy but Margaret finished strong towards the end of both frames needed for a place in the final.
Margaret stepped up a gear in the final against Megan, the first frame Megan needed 4 snookers on the colours and tried to get back into the frame but Margaret potted yellow to brown to seal it and again frame two was much the same as she went on to win the match 2 frames to nil and take the title of Stars Academy Masters Champion 2021
Congratulations to Margaret on her win and well done to Megan on a fine performance. Thanks to all the ladies who participated and helped make the event such a fantastic success. Thanks to Dave Earle for officiating throughout the day and refereeing the final. Thanks to Bernie, Paul and staff for their continued support.
We at RILSA welcome our newcomers to the tour, Elizabeth Killeen (Galway), Christine Henderson (Donegal) and Laura Hughes (Limerick) we are delighted to have you and of course all our members who continue to participate in our tour events and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.
