Tournament win just what the DOC ordered
WITH the Dundalk and Newry Pool Leagues both nearing a climax, the first event in the Commerical Club Pool series attracted all the top shooters from across the Louth area.
After weeks of constant play it was Dominic O’Connor who came through the field to defeat Paul Ruane and become the first Commerical Club Intermediate Pool champion of 2018.
Amoung those taking part were Justin McArdle, a former Dundalk singles champion and last year’s runner up who lost out to Paul Ruane in the early stages of the tournwment.
Peter O’Hagan and Aaron Callan, both of whom represented Louth in this year’s All-Ireland Pool Championships also took part.
Another Irish star in the line up was interternational Micky Ralph who lost out to O’Connor in the semi final.
O’Connor was in fine form in the last four clash going 3-0 up after clearing up twice from the break. He added the third frame when Ralph again failed to pot off the break.
Ralph managed to claw one frame back after O’Connor missed a tricky black along the side cushion, but after another dry break from Ralph, O’Connor came to the table for another clearance, finishing in style to take the frame and match 4-1.
In the final things started very differently for O’Connor who was 2-0 down after Paul Ruane made a superb start.
But O’Connor fought back to level the match at 2-2 before Ruane pulled ahead again 4-3.
Once again O’Connor battled back to level the match at 4-4.
Controversy struck in the next frame when O Connor declared a foul on himself for touching a ball that no-one else had spotted. Nevertheless his honesty gave Ruane ball in hand and two shots at a very crucial point in the match.
However Ruane failed to capitalise when he missed twice letting O’Connor back in, and he didn’t need to beasked twice as he cleared the balls to take the ninth frame and a slender lead.
In the final frame O’Connor commanded the table, playing some unbelievable shots and following up with some fine safety play.
A poor safety shot from Ruane then led to O’Connor potting a long red and landing perfectly on the black, which he then rolled gently into the middle pocket to win the frame and match 6-4.
The competition organiser wish to thank main sponsor the Europa Restaurant.