POOL: Excitement builds ahead of Coleraine Pool Festival

THE Tennents Coleraine Pool League's annual Festival of Pool breaks off next Monday night (February 22) signalling a week of competitive and enjoyable action.

As always, the week kicks off with the Mr Chips Three Person Team Event.

Last year's winning team of Adrian O'Kane, Damien Reid and Darren McColgan are back to defend their title, and despite McColgan's lack of competitive action this season, they will still fancy their chances of a repeat success.

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Last year's runner's up, from the Sperrin - Raymond Stockman, Billy Moore and Paul O'Connor - will be looking to go one better after coming so close in what was a great final 12 months ago. However, given the single frame format of this competition, it is a hard one to call.

There will be many teams challenging for this title, and those that stick out include the McNulty's trio of Davy Tosh, Andy Parke and Marc Hutchinson, as well as the other Sperrin team of Tommy Morrow, Lee Caulfield and Gavin Patton.

The Forge A will also enter two teams with Willie Eakin, Lee Hull and Ady Toner making up the first, Darren Boyd, Raymond Baxter and Neville Smyth teaming up for the second.

Any of these teams could strongly fancy their chances, but there will be some potential banana skins in the draw.

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For example, Chris Wade, Gavin McClements and Dijon McCorkell will definitely be a team who will be up for a battle.

147 Individuals

The trophy all the top players want to get their hands on is the 147 Individuals, held on the Saturday.

It is a true test of a player's ability, nerve and mental strength.

Last year's champion, Tommy Morrow, will line up again and given his good league form will be the man to beat, however his most obvious challenger is five-times winner Davy Tosh. The McNulty's man will be determined to regain his crown.

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Another former champion, Aaron Moffatt, has played a lot more pool this season and it would be no surprise to see him in the latter stages, given his past record.

Another man who has lifted the title before is Willie Eakin, a player who is just starting to hit his top form in time for the festival, and he will be hoping for another overdue long run in the competition. Eakin's Forge teammate Raymond Baxter has gone close before, while Lee Hull has not really shown his true form in the Coleraine singles, but is more than capable on his day.

Two players who would have to be considered on their league form would be Billy Moore and Marc Hutchinson. Moore's patient approach to the game can frustrate many opponents, while Hutchinson raw potting ability can be a joy to watch. Looking outside the top teams in the league, it will be interesting to see if it will be the younger or more senior members of the league who will have the most success.

The no-fear, attacking style of young Lee McIlreavy and Scott Clarke will be in sharp contrast to the more controlled style of the likes of Paul Baird and Davy Logue. It is the prospect of these kind of match ups which makes the Coleraine singles such an exciting - and unpredictable - competition.

Lodge Hotel Doubles

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For the first time, the league Doubles will be played using the ‘Scotch’ doubles format.

This format has been played this year during league matches, and the positive feedback from the players has made it an easy decision for the league committee to take this format into the festival.

With both players being much more involved in the game, some of the more ‘traditional’ double partnerships may find it a difficult transition. Partnerships which have been used in league matches during this season may have an advantage.

Tommy Morrow has a good doubles record, and this year teams up with Gavin Patton, however Patton has not played a lot of pool this season, and he will not be able to rely on the excellent Morrow as much as he could have in the old doubles format.

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Davy Tosh and Andy Parke have played a lot together this season and have been as impressive as any partnership, as have their fellow McNulty’s players Marc Hutchinson and Willie Boreland.

Forge pairing Raymond Baxter and Willie Eakin also have a good league record and will fancy their chances of going well too.

Pairings like Billy Moore and Johnny White, Aaron Moffatt and Lee Caulfield and Neville Smyth and Scott Clarke would all fancy their chances on paper, but the fact they have not played together competitively must count as a disadvantage.

However, there is no doubt this new format has the potential to throw up some big shocks, a few Second Division pairings who could go well include Stephen Kerr and Glen Hutchinson, Adam Leonard and Wahib Ziani and Arthur McMullan and Johnny McDowell.

Under-18’s & Under-21’s (open competitions)

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Yet again the League has decided to open up these competitions to anyone. It is hoped that this will encourage some new players to come and challenge themselves against the best the league has to offer in these age groups.

Marc Hutchinson will be the clear favourite for the Under-21’s, however he was pushed all the way by Scott Clarke in last year’s final. Clarke took the under-18 title last year, and will be confident of retaining it. But can he get past Hutchinson to make it a double?

Any players interested in playing in these competitions, just come along on the night and you will be made to feel very welcome.

The inaugural Northern Ireland Schools Cup will also take place during the Festival, and the league is hopeful that it can play a major role in encouraging some new, young players to take the game up. This new competition will take place on the Tuesday of the festival, kicking off at 10.30 am.

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Both individual and team events will take place. There are still a few places left for this new venture, and any schools/colleges interested in entering can get in touch with league chairman Chris Baxter by phone 07798 930302 or by email [email protected].

Sheldon Ewart memorial Seniors (over 40’s) Individuals (open)

The Seniors has become a very competitive event as more and more players ‘qualify’.

Last year’s champion, Paul Baird will be very determined to retain his title, but he faces a host of challengers.

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Sperrin captain Raymond Stockman and team mate Paul O’Connor are two very tough competitors, who both know what it takes in this competition.

Last year’s beaten finalist and League Chairman Chris Baxter will be hoping his open and aggressive style of play can take him a step further this time.

With the list of players including Davy Logue, Clem Howard, John McIlreavy, Arthur McMullan and Derek Allum, it shows just how tough this competition is becoming.

As with the Under-18 and 21 competitions, this event is also open to players from outside the league. So any players who are interested, just turn up on the night, and don’t forget your birth certificate!

Clement Dealey Photography Knockout Cup

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It is hard to see past the top three in Division One in this competition. Sperrin, McNulty’s A and Forge A will all be looking to lift the cup and give their sides a boost in what is a great title race.

However, if these teams meet each other early on, it may open the door for others. McNulty’s B have shown they can beat these teams on their day this year, while Montra will be looking to bring the confidence they have gained from their league form into the cup. All first match losers will go into a Plate competition.