Snooker: Currie pastes Milne in Cookstown decider

After the pairings were pulled from the hat, the top half of the draw commenced when the highly talented Tony Corry started the ball rolling with a 3-0 win against newcomer Caolan Argue.

Ryan Robinson who was practising for the event, attacked throughout and ran out a victorious winner by a score-line of 3-1 against Paul McGuckin. Matches being the best of 5 saw Feargal Keenan and Paul Currie easily win their first round matches to book their place in the quarter-finals. Conor Gillespie has a lot of knowledge and experience, this clearly visible as he won 3-1 in his first round tie.

Cookstown League winner Brian Milne potted his way to yet another win, while Chris Maye proved too strong for Joe Loughran who may have lost this close contest but, as he said, “there’s always next year”

Match of the round saw Mickey Quinn cue off against Peter Loughran. The ‘Mighty Quinn’ was playing his usual relentless snooker as he talked his way into the final frame. Loughran had numerous chances to knock out a past master but alas it wasn’t to be as Quinn pounced on a mistake to snatch the match.

With eight players in the next round Feargal Keenan had a tough match when he had to be firing on all cylinders, his opponent being the maverick Paul Currie. A very close encounter was expected and all spectators were definitely not disappointed as Currie took the match with a 104 break in the fourth.

Corry is playing some exciting snooker and in his match against Ryan Robinson proved too strong by 3-1.

The last quarter-final match saw Quinn play Brian Milne. Quinn took a 2-1 lead but it was shortlived as Milne came roaring back for 3-2.

Into the semi-finals and Corry stepped up a gear to claim two well deserved frames over the best of seven, Currie showing his experience to win 4-2. Milne was paired against Chris Maye and, although Maye tried hard, Milne forged ahead to outpoint his opponent on the green-baize by 4-0.

The final of the Cookstown Individual was best of nine and, after the introductions, Currie took the opening frame. Milne quickly retaliated as he hit his potting mode to race into a 3-1 lead which included a 67 break.

After a short interval, Currie hit back winning the next 3 frames with some outstanding safety mixed with some expert potting to go 4-3 ahead. Milne was trying to get back into the game and a deciding frame looked to be on the cards until he missed a crucial blue to leave Currie an open table.

This was his opportunity and Currie was decisive as he won frame and match to win the Cookstown Open, a good victory supplemented by the high break prize with 104.

Special praise must be given to the Ardcumber Club proprietor for sponsoring the events, excellent conditions and providing refreshments. Lastly a mention must be given to the referee, Thomas McCrea, who did an exceptionally brilliant and professional job as he officiated at the final.