The International Irish Open took place over last weekend at Joey’s in Dublin.
It’s the 3rd women’s International Irish Snooker Open with with 30 participants taking part from 8 Countries.
The International 6 Red event was won by Katie French Representing Ireland, in her semi final Katie from Kildare Tessy Eliguese from Nigeria 2 frames to nil while another young Irish player, Rebecca Hanlon Molloy from Dublin won her semi final match 2-0 against Amina Moustafa from Egypt, making it an all Ireland final in which the young Katie French won comfortably.
In the Intermediate event Laura Alves from Brazil having come through tough matches against Lauren Carley from Carlow in the quarters and Aine Brennan also from Carlow in the semis winning 2-1 and 2-0 respectively
Ireland’s youngest player and her first big event final, was 10 year old Grace Byrne from Ballinabranna Carlow had great wins over Valerie Maloney from Offaly 2-0in the quarters and again a good 2-0 result over Emirjeta Doda representing Albania in the semis to meet Laura in the final.
It was going to be a tough match for Grace as she was up against the experienced Brazilian Laura Alves. Although Laura won the match 3-0, Grace gave her a good match and she will be a future star to watch out for.
In the main event the Irish top guns came through their groups, Sandra Bryan from Wexford current 6 Red National Champion, Annette Newman the current number 1 in Ireland from Carlow, the 2004 National Champion Cathy Dunne from Dublin and current National Champion Paula Judge.
Other players in the mix were Christine Carr (Kildare) Susan Hanlon (Dublin) Michelle O’Boyle (Kildare) and Louise Maher (Kilkenny) made for an all Irish knockout event at Joeys Dublin.
Annette Newman was in great form against Christine Carr going through to the semis comfortably with a 3 nil win, while Susan Hanlon newcomer to the sport caused the upset of the day by winning 3-1 over Sandra Bryan.
The other half of the draw saw some great snooker from Cathy Dunne in her match against Michelle O’Boyle to come through 3-1 and again Paula Judge was in good form against newcomer to snooker Louise Maher with a 3-1 win to meet Cathy in the semis
Annette had a match on her hands with Susan as she went into an early 2 frame lead in these best of 5 frame matches, however Annette had the experience to hold in there a fight back and this she did to win all remaining 3 frames to put her in the final.
The semi final between Cathy & Paula was again a tough match with both players playing great snooker, with Paula in a 2-1 lead and Cathy putting on the pressure, Paula had to dig deep and play well to eventually win through 3-1
The grand final was set as Annette number 1 and Paula, the current Champion got down to business in this best of 7 frame final at Joey’s Dublin
Going into the interval, Paula was in the lead 2-1 after a good 3rd frame win by Annette to keep in the match.
Starting back after the break, Paula was potting well and with a number of 30+ breaks closed out the two frames need for match.
