Qianhui Ye from Wicklow and representing Our Lady’s National School Rathdrum won her first National Snooker Championship U21 at the RILSA Academy Sharkx Newbridge recently. Anna McKeown from Monaghan and representing Inver College Carrickmacross was the runner up on the day

With a great turnout from our Schools, the Competition was held in good spirit with all the girls thoroughly enjoying the event

At the Last 16 stage Pheobe Maina had a good win over Grace Doyle and Ruby Duane took the win against Arina Rose Delaney to go through to the Quarters. Hannah Coleman moved into the Quarters with a win over Tess Dowling and Jasmine Brown completed the Quarter final line up with a win over Katie Mulally

In the Quarters Anna McKeown showed her skills on the table with a good win over Pheobe Maina and Ruby Duane was in fine form against Amy Butler to set up a meeting with Anna in the semis

The other half of the draw saw Keely Hayden take the win against Hannah Coleman to advance and Qianhui Ye was in great form against Jasmine Brown to complete the semi final line up

Both Anna and Qianhui are part of the Snooker Scholarship at Sharkx and this showed their practice and coaching is working well for them as they both made it through to the final with Anna taking the win against Ruby and Qianhui with the win against Keely.  Ruby and Keely along with the other girls in the event represented the Holy Family School Newbridge Co Kildare

The final itself was slow to start but once the girls got into their stride after a few minutes it would be Qianhui that would dominate proceedings on the day scoring well when at the table and took the win on the colours in the frame needed

The future is bright for Female Cue Sports here in Ireland as we see our youngsters improving all the time.  Congratulations to Qianhui Ye on her win and well done to Anna McKeown on her runner up place and well played Ruby and Keely on reaching the semis.  Thanks to all the girls who participated and to all the teachers, parents and mentors for all their support.  Thanks to Stephanie and Martin Foley who refereed and kept score for the final and helped throughout the competition

Thanks as always to Bernie, Paul and staff of Sharkx for all their support