Connolly captures Cherry Cup on return
RETURNING TO the green baize after three months of lockdown, all members of New Ross Workmen’s Club had to abide by the Covid-19 rules: wash hands, maintain two-metre social distancing, wipe all cues and rests when finished.
All members were glad to be back. Activity resumed last Tuesday with the oldest competition in the club, the Cherry Cup billiards open.
In the final – the culmination of three weeks of play – we had the two heavyweights of billiards in the club, with John Hearne (-170) taking on Liam Connolly (-150).
It turned out to be a ding-dong battle, with Connolly coming out on top by six points, after a horrendous fluke.
It was the first to 200, and Liam (-150) was first back to scratch. He was 40 ahead before John came back to scratch.
Liam kept that lead until the 140 mark when John took over. He held that advantage until the 180 mark, so it was down to the last 20 points, and both players weren’t taking any chances.
John had a break to bring him up to 194, needing six for the game, while Liam required twelve points.
Connolly played a cannon but missed. He left the red on the top cushion and it looked like nothing was on, but Connolly got down and smacked the red off the cushion.
It flew around the table and both red and white ended up in the pockets. Both now needed six points for the game.
Liam played a cannon but missed and left the red over the middle pocket. John went for a cut-in on the red and missed, and that was it, as Connolly got the six for the game and match on a 200 to 194 scoreline.
When you look back at it, John must have wondered how could he have lost that game, but that’s sport. You have to take the good with the bad in all sports.
Every team gets a fair share of luck, it’s the nature of sport. Well done to both players for a wonderful game of billiards. Referee for the final was John Bennett.
We would like to thank the club for its sponsorship of this competition.
Membership is open to join, costing €50 for adults and €20 for juniors. Tables lights cost €3 per hour.
Contact Jim (087-6148011) or John (089-9116992) for further details.