RODNEY DID COUNTY PROUD
‘Whirlwind’ beats Wexford man in Masters snooker final
RODNEY GOGGINS from Liam Mellows Park in Wexford town did the county proud at the Senior Irish Masters at the home of Irish snooker – Goffs in Co. Kildare – over the weekend, qualifying for the final after playing superbly to claim two major scalps.
It was a fantastic performance from the popular sportsman who enjoyed one of the greatest wins of his career in the quarter-final opener when he beat fellow Irishman and 1997 world champion Ken Doherty 3-1.
It didn’t get any easier for Rodney, because his semi-final opponent was another man with the world title under his belt, namely 1986 victor Joe Johnson.
This was Rodney’s best game of a memorable weekend, as he won in emphatic fashion on a 3-0 scoreline to set up a dream final against Jimmy White for the Alex Higgins Trophy which was televised live on eir Sport.
‘The Whirlwind’ – beaten world finalist in 1984, and then agonisingly every year from 1990 to 1994 – started well in the first frame but Rodney cleared up to go 1-0 ahead and send the full crowd in attendance wild.
However, the experienced White fought back with superb potting to beat Rodney 4-1, despite the best efforts of the Wexfordman who was congratulated on his performances over the weekend by the Republic of Ireland Billiards & Snooker Association.
Coach P.J. Nolan said he was ‘so proud of how Rodney prepared for this tournament and how he performed over the weekend.
‘He was a great ambassador for his family, association, county and country,’ he added.
As for the man of the moment, – who is dedicated to the sport he loves – Rodney would like to personally thank everyone who was in Goffs cheering him on over the weekend, as he knows it helped him immensely in his brave bid for honours.