Golf Club to the fore in their first pool season

They travelled to Dromore in the quarter finals of the Brendan McAdam Memorial Knockout Cup just a little apprehensive as Mulholland’s were a team packed full of experience in this particular competition.

Wes McDowell eased the home team into the lead by winning the first game. Any thoughts of a rout were quickly dispelled when Rory Leonard levelled.

The Banbridge side then led 2-1 through Trevor Woods. After the fourth the teams were again level and Mulholland’s knew at this stage they had a tough match on their hands.

The First Division side again restored the lead through team captain Kevin Smyth. In the sixth Neill Beggs pulled out all the stops to level the score.

When the all important seventh was won by Rab Clydesdale the Mulholland’s nerves began to tingle. Gary Crawford settled them slightly as the two teams tied at four games each.

It was now down to the ninth and deciding game. With nothing to lose W McAllister attacked from the start. Wayne Beggs could do little as the Golf Club player sank the black not only to send the club into the semi-finals but also score a most famous victory.

Big reputations mean nothing to these guys as they await their next big challenge.

There was further bad news for the Dromore pool venue as news came through of a Mulholland’s B team defeat in The Red Star, Banbridge. The early stages of the match was far from plain sailing for the premier side as after the fifth game they only led by one.

Home advantage was to deliver four wins on the trot for Higgins, seven games to two was the eventual outcome.

Castle Bar’s mission to capture silverware this season had them visiting McGrath’s. Luck was against the home team when W Brown jawed his fifth yellow.

Greg Harper displayed his usual tenacity potting brilliantly to clear the table. Lady luck briefly visited the home camp when G McGrath fluked his last red to fall perfectly on the black and make the score 1-1.

The third was a mixture of safety, flukes and dukes. When a chance did come Thomas Harper’s way he grabbed it with both hands, a four ball clearance plus the black had the visitors leading 2-1.

McGrath’s had a chance to level only for Luigi to miss what should have been a straightforward pot. He then failed to escape the inevitable snooker. From the free table Stephen Fitzpatrick’s clearance was topped off by an outstanding black which hugged the cushion all the way to the pocket.

A similar defeat was awaiting Liam Gribben in the fifth when he forced the cue ball off the table all together. When an early Christmas present presents itself to Gordy Magennis very rarely does he fail to deliver.

Sure enough an exhibition straight out of the ‘How To Clear A Table Made To Look Ridiculously Easy’ book followed and a 4-1 lead was established.

From there it was further pain for McGraths when Aidy Barry failed to double his final yellow. Cecil Corbett made sure of the black which claimed both the match and a place in the semi-finals for the holders.

Coach also threw their hat into the mix by putting on a display which completely outclassed opponents Market Bar. Kevin Doherty set the benchmark by dominating his game against N.Finnegan. Ronnie Hudson made it two in a row potting his last four colours plus the black.

There was no joy in the third either when Trevor Martin was ambushed by Bert Donnelly. The Coach player dispensed six colours with the seventh being the black.

Not to be outdone Stevie Doherty made it four in a row. Could Market’s Owen Cull halt the slide in the fifth? Unfortunately for Owen Mucker McMullan was just as determined as those before him to provide an exhibition of just how to clear the table. Coach cruised into the semis.

With the four semi-finalists known the draw was made. Previously dark horses Golf Club would have been a shade daunted by the prospect of facing yet another premier side in Coach but not so now having defeated Mulholland’s, they must make home advantage count to progress.

The all Premier clash has Higgins at home to cup holders Castle Bar. This one is almost sold out with standing room only.

The First Division knockout cup sponsored by Halfway House has also reached the semi-final stage. Coach B will be hoping to put a spanner in Golf Club’s works or should that be a spoke in the Golf Club’s trolley.

In the second semi Halfway B are at home to division challengers Castle Tavern. The incentive is definitely with Halfway as the final will played on their home table, equally will Castle Tavern use this contest to acclimatise to the Halfway table and approach this as a warm-up to the final.

Registration forms should now be with all teams. These should be returned to the league result box, emailed or even text by phone as soon as appropriate, in other words now.

Another event due to be promoted soon will be that of the hugely popular Individuals Tournament sponsored by The Leader. Posters containing all relevant information and entry forms will be distributed by usual means to arrive by next Tuesday.