Final ticket for O'Donohue

Meath players were in action at the Irish Pool Challenge in Ennis at the weekend where Karl O'Donohue (Balreask) qualified for the final.
That decider will be played at the next Irish Pool Association event.
Hosted by the Irish Pool Association the event featured some of the top players and six players from the Meath Pool League qualified for the last 32 in the main event.
Apart from O'Donohue, the other qualifiers included John McMahon (Carnaross Inn), David Burns and Kenneth Martin (both Alfie's, Athboy), David McQuillan and Martin Carolan (Fox's, Navan).
Martin, McQuillan and Carolan all made the last 16 while O'Donohue qualified for the decider and along the way defeated Burns.
O'Donohue showed his true class by getting to the final where he recorded wins against Shaun Wynne 7-2 and Geroid O'Gorman 8-1.
During this match he took out what was one of the finest eight-ball clearances of the tournament which included two long-range doubles and from his last double he came off three cushions to finish perfectly on the black.
He also negotiated Stephen Dempsey (Cavan) in a very exciting match which was brought to a deciding frame, but he edged the verdict 8-7.
In the junoir section, Kennth Martin's son Cathal showed some amazing skill for a nine-year-old and he reached the semi-final where he was playing against an older age-group. He gave a gallant performance before exiting the competition, but the experience gained will be invaluable for future competitions.

MEATH POOL LEAGUE
There was no action in Div 1 at the weekend due to the involvement of players at the Irish Pool Championships.
Chaser A lead Alfies on frame difference in Div 1 with both on five points closely followed by Bective A (three), Fox's A (two) with Balreask A propping up the table, unusual for them as they won the league in the past few years.
 
DIVISION 2
Loughran's took on Thornes on Friday night in need of a big win to get them back into a good position and they displayed some superb cuemanship. With the pressure on at the start Leon Maguire and Peter Noone took out two nice finishes. Shaun Maguire and Willie Kennelly stepped up and took the next two frames leaving it 4-0 for Thornes.
Barry and Wayne Gilmartin also played some exceptional pool and took two more solid wins leaving the score lines 6-0 to Thornes.
Thornes won the first doubles sealing the win with a 7-0 victory which sent them up to six points in the league and into fifth place behind the Chaser B on frame difference.
Balreask B edged out Fitzsimons B 7-3. They took a 3-0 lead with serious finishes from Danny Shiels, Stephen Smith and David Gilkeson while Tino Borez won a nice tactical match to make it 4-0.
Tony Gilkeson and Joe McKeever made it 6-0 in favour of the Balreask B which put the pressure on Fitzsimons B who picked the perfect doubles combinations with David Gibney / James OBrien, Karl Mooney / Joe Faulkner and Joey Hanlon / Damien Keaveney all getting wins.
With the second session of doubles Borez made the call to switch the Balreask B doubles combinations around and Shiels and Tony Gilkeson brought home the final frame to make it game set and match for the Balreask B.

KNOCK-OUT CUP
This weekend sees the Budwieser Knockout Cup first round with some fantastic matches.
Chaser A look strong favourites to beat Loughran's, but Balreask A against Fox's A a very hard match to call with both teams propping up Div 1.
Balreask could shade the win only because of home advantage, but team selection on this one will be massively important. Carnaross will face Balreask B and this will also be a tight encounter, but the Navan men might sneak a win.
Fox's B will face Fitzimons A with both teams level on points in Div 2, Fox's might edge it with home advantage.
Bective A against Bective B will be a thriller that neither team will want to lose, but the A team should have too much skill for the B side.
Thornes will find the going tough against Alfie's and Fitzimons B will not relish the visit of Chaser B, but home advantage could make the difference.