Published on: 13-Mar-2009
This year we have managed to put out 3 teams for the first very time. We were promoted as Champions from Division 1 of the Superleague last season, to the Premier Division, this team is managed by Kevin Byrne. We have also started a new team in Division 2 of the Superleague which is managed by Willie Mc Auley, and finally we have our longest running team in the Northside League Premier Division, which we were promoted to as runners up of Division 1 last season, which is managed by Derek Toner.
This season the club has played hosts to the Republic of Ireland under 23 team, in which we were beaten 6-2 on the night ,this is nothing to shout about until I tell you that the Under 23's won the Under 23 World Championship earlier on this year !!
Parnells Pool Teams had 8 players representing Ireland in a friendly International match against Northern Ireland, in the Park Plaza Hotel, Belfast International Airport, Co. Antrim, on Friday evening, 27th of February last. The eight Parnells Players were Kevin Byrne (Capt), Derek Toner, Con Price, Des O Dea, Brendan Hinchy, Aidan Nolan, Stephen Mahony and Anthony Finn. With 3 rounds of 11 frames, we trailled 7 - 4 after the first round, but had an excellent, middle round winning 8 - 3, and finished with a super 7 - 4 winning round to give us a final winning score of 19 - 14.
Saturday 28th, saw the lads enter the Northern Ireland Blackball Singles Championships, and from our ranks Con Price battled his way to a spot in the final before being beaten by one of Northern Irelands "A" team stars Neil Mc Kelvey, who took the first prize of £1000stg,Con won £450stg for
his trouble to round off a very memorable experience for all the lads who were playing for their country for the first time.
There are now about 20 guys playing the Dublin Pool Leagues on a weekly basis and we have raised the revenue from the pool tables substantially since 2006, and of course that's not including the Bar sales that goes hand in hand with playing in the club!! Congratulations to all those who represent the Clubs pool teams on their recent success and long may it continue!! Regular pool updates will follow throughout the year. Special thanks to Derek Toner for providing the information above.