Valerie Maloney from Laois has won the 2024 RILBA National Amateur Billiards Championship recently. On her way to the win Valerie broke all her current scoring for a 45 minute timed events. Valerie has been knocking on the door of this event over the years having won two National Intermediate Billiards Championships in the past and was runner up in the National Amateur Championship in 2016. She was struggling to find form over the past two seasons but Valerie certainly found form at the Championship this time round and its so well deserved as she has been on the tour since its inception in 2015
In the first session of this round robin event Valerie Maloney from Laois got off to a strong start against Veronica Hallahan from Dublin taking the win on the alarm 65-45. Jackie Trulock our current National Intermediate Billiards Champion from Dublin was on fire in her match against the current Irish number 2 Christine Carr from Kildare and took the win 107-73 on the alarm
Session 2 saw Annette Newman the current national Champion from Carlow struggle to find form in her match against Veronica but took the win on the alarm 54-49 in a close game. Christine got a win under her belt against Valerie in another close encounter finishing 79-71 on the alarm
In session 3 Valerie would see off a good challenge from Annette on the alarm 73-64 while Jackie just pipped Veronica by 1 point in their match finishing 62-61
Session 4 saw Annette once more take a win against Jackie in another very close match 60-58 and Christine would also get over the line against Veronica by 1 point in their match on the alarm 70-69
The final session saw Annette and Christine finish on a draw 91-91 in a high scoring match and Valerie would finish strong against Jackie to give her the 3rd win overall 80-66 and the title of RILBA National Amateur Billiards Champion 2024.
Annette who has won this event 9 years in a row was the first to congratulate Valerie on her win and was delighted for her after so many years on the tour she is so deserving of this title
Congratulations to Valerie on her achievement and well done to Christine who finished runner up, Annette was 3rd and Jackie 4th. Thanks to all the ladies over the season for their support and thanks as always to Bernie, Paul and staff of Sharkx for all their support
