Margaret O’Driscoll from Kerry joined the Republic of Ireland Ladies Snooker Association shortly after the organisation was offically formed in 1986. Throughout the 1980’s, Margaret dominated the ladies game here in Ireland. She would go on to take her first National Championship title in 1987 and the following year retain her title. 1989 was another good year for Margaret, making it 3 in a row winning the National title again.
Margaret was almost unstoppable during her early years with RILSA. In 1990 she would continue her progress in female cue sports taking the National title for the 4th year in a row, what an amazing achievement for her. In 2001 she would reach the National Championship final and on this occasion Ann McMahon from Dublin would take the win but she came back in 2002 to reach the final of the National Championship for the 6th time and won against Ann this time to see her take National Championship title for the 5th time.
On the main RILSA Tour, she would take the 1986 ladies Leinster Championship title against her most competitive opponent on the circuit, Julie Kelly from Wexford in a very close match 3-2. In 1988 Margaret would reach another two ranking finals and again against Julie, who on both occasions took the win.
Margaret would drop off the tour towards the end of 1993 after much success but returned in 2000 taking a win over Margaret Browne in RILSA Ranking 2. In 2001 she had two good wins over Aisling Dowd and Ann McMahon. In 2002 she reached another ranking final against Michelle Sherwin but just lost out in the final frame 3-2. Margaret was to reach another ranking final in 2003 against Cathy Dunne which she won on this occasion. 2003 was the last time Margaret would play on the tour and went on to play Pool which she continues to date.
On the National Rankings, Margaret took number 2 spot in 2001 and returned in 2002 to take number 1, she remained in the top 8 for the next few seasons, dropping to 4 and then 8 before retiring from snooker to take up pool.
On the World and International stage, Margaret was a force to contend with, in the 1987 World Championships in Puckpool UK, she reached the last 16 to only lose out 3-2 to June Banks from the UK. Margaret went one better in 1990 to reach the Quarter finals of the World Championships in London but lost out to Sharon Dixon from Wales who was to become a bit of an nemesis for Margaret on the World stage.
In 1991 where World Ladies Snooker was to take a new approach, holding qualifying events throughout the UK, Margaret was to reach the final in event 2 Swansea where she was to lose out 4-3 to Georgina Alpin in a very close final indeed. In 2002 she would meet Sharon Dixon in the last 32 but to only miss out in the final frame going down 4-3 and again made it to the last 16 in 2003 where she met Sharon again but to lose 4-1.
Margaret is held in high regard within the World and International snooker community. She represented Ireland at the All Ireland Championship in Portadown in 1987 where she won against Aileen McCann.
At the Home Internationals in 2001 along with Aisling Dowd they came 3rd overall and again in 2002 with Cathy Dunne finished 4th.
Margaret has won the National Championship Title on 5 occasions, she won 5 National ranking titles and was runner up on 3 other occasions during her time with RILSA.
Margaret has 10 International Caps for Ireland.
We at RILSA thank Margaret for all her participation and support towards female cue sports and wish her well on the National Pool Tour.
