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Ireland’s Invitation 8-Ball Pro-Am (English 8-Ball Pool)
Lough Erne Hotel
Kesh
Co. Fermanagh
N. Ireland
www.rballsports.com
www.loughernehotel.com

29 February - 2 March 2008

2008 Ireland's Invitation 8Ball Pro-Am Pool Classic
Semi-finalists Gareth Potts and Darren Appleton.
Ireland’s Invitation 8-Ball Pro-Am Pool Classic

A fantastic weekend of top class pool came to a end at Ireland’s Invitation 8-Ball Pro-Am Pool Classic in the little town of Kesh in Co. Fermanagh which saw the current World 8-Ball Pool Champion Gareth Potts crowned champion receiving the first prize of £2,500 and the beautiful crystal trophy for his efforts, defeating Mick Hill in a classic final on a 10-9 score-line which went right down to the wire, keeping the large crowd of spectators on the edge of their seats with the high drama in the deciding frame.

Click on "Read More..." for the group details.

The return of this popular Irish Pro-Am after a few years absence proved once again it's one of the best, and most enjoyable weekend's on the pool calendar which brings all of the world’s top players together, from both pool bodies, mixing and displaying their skills on the green baize for the large turnout of spectators over the weekend.

The tournament in general, spectators and the organisers were also blessed with the entry of the current World Masters and Welsh Snooker Champion Mark Selby, who played outstanding pool, topping his group with four wins out of four to progress to the knockout stages (last-32) only to be defeated by Ireland’s world junior 8ball champion Sean Conway from Co. Mayo who played awesome pool to defeat Mark 8-4 in the last-32, but come Sunday evening it was only one player everyone was speaking about and that was the 2008 champion Gareth Potts.

Right from the start the current world champion was in tremendous form topping his group on Saturday evening with four wins out of four over Aiden Finch (England, 4-1), Charlie Hanlon (Meath, 4-0), Raymond Todd (Tyrone, 4-2) and J P Cunningham (Wicklow, 4-0) to qualify for the last-32 knockout stages.

In the last-32 Gareth kept up his good run of form but the matches was starting to get tougher, round by round, but the world champion just took it in his stride to record victories over Brendan Mc Donagh (Tyrone, 8-6, last-32), Scott Ross (Scotland, 8-5, last-16), Jason Shaw (Scotland, 8-4, ¼-finals), Darren Appleton (England, 9-4, semi-finals) to reach the final for the first time at Ireland’s Invitation 8Ball Pro-Am Pool Classic.

The following 16 players were group seeds
at the 2008 Ireland's Invitation 8Ball Pro-Am Pool Classic...

Mark Selby, Stephen Dempsey, Manny Byrne, Jason Twist, Pat O' Kane, Pat Holtz, Alan Mc Bennett, Barry Hough.

Jason Shaw, David Mc Quillan, Ronan Mc Carthy, Sean Conway.

Gareth Potts, Ross Mc Innes, Darren Appleton, Mick Hill.
In the final Gareth would come up against the 2004 World Champion Mick Hill who was also playing fabulous pool throughout the tournament topping his group on Saturday evening winning all his matches and from the last-32 defeating top class players along the way to reach his second final at Ireland’s Invitation 8Ball Pro-Am trying to go one better than last time where he lost to Scotland’s Ross Mc Innes 10-9.

2008 Ireland's Invitation 8Ball Pro-Am Pool Classic semi-finalists Mick Hill and Gavin Geraghty.
On route to the final Mick defeated Sean Hoey (Down, 8-4, last-32), Gareth Quinn (Tyrone, 8-1, last-16), Jason Twist (England, 8-6, ¼-finals), Gavin Geraghty (Meath, 9-6, semi-finals).

The Final

The final saw both players, Gareth Potts and Mick Hill, coming to the table in top class form breaking and finishing frame by frame with both players giving the large crowd great entertainment in this high class match but when it reached 9-9 the last frame turned into a safety battle which saw the world champion coming out on top on this occasion to be crowned 2008 champion and put himself into Ireland’s roll of honour list with past champions Jason Twist, Ross Mc Innes and Darren Appleton.

2008 Ireland's Invitation 8Ball Pro-Am Pool Classic Champion Gareth Potts.
The organisers would like to take this opportunity in thanking all the sponsors, players - including all the world professionals, spectators, table fitter Damien Corrigan, all the helpers, MC John Magee, the local and national press who covered the event, all pool websites and last but no way least, to Ivan and Sam Job of the host venue - Lough Erne Hotel, and their hard working staff for the tremendous hospitality they give to each and every player over this great and enjoyable weekend.

IRELAND'S INVITATION 8-BALL PRO-AM POOL CLASSIC
THE LAST 32
Gareth Quinn (Tyrone)	8 : 4	Gerry Marker (Monaghan)
Mick Hill (England)	8 : 4	Sean Hoey (Down)
Jason Twist (England)	8 : 2	Manny Byrne (Down)
Ronan Fay (Tyrone)	8 : 5	David Mc Quillan (Fermanagh)
Declan Hough (Mayo)	8 : 3	Connor Mc Cooey (Down)
Sean Conway (Mayo)	8 : 4	Mark Selby (England)
Gavin Geraghty (Meath)	8 : 5	Cieran Summerville (Tyrone)
Alan Mc Bennett (Cavan)	8 : 3	Niall Sweeney (Roscommon)
Darren Appleton (England)	8 : 4	Lee Hull (Derry)
Shane O’ Hara (Leitrim)	8 : 5	Adam Mc Mackin (Tyrone)
Barry Hough (Mayo)	8 : 4	Raymond Todd (Tyrone)
Stephen Dempsey (Cavan)	8 : 3	Michael Mc Laughlin (Donegal)
Jason Shaw (Scotland)	8 : 5	Ronan Mc Carthy (Down)
Pat Holtz (Scotland)	8 : 7	Pat O’ Kane (England)
Gareth Potts (England)	8 : 6	Brendan Mc Donagh (Tyrone)

IRELAND'S INVITATION 8-BALL PRO-AM POOL CLASSIC
THE LAST 16
Mick Hill	8 : 1	Gareth Quinn
Jason Twist	8 : 2	Ronan Fay
Sean Conway	8 : 7	Declan Hough
Gavin Geraghty	8 : 2	Alan Mc Bennett
Darren Appleton	8 : 3	Shane O'Hara
Barry Hough	8 : 6	Stephen Dempsey
Jason Shaw	8 : 4	Pat Holtz
Gareth Potts	8 : 5	Scott Ross

IRELAND'S INVITATION 8-BALL PRO-AM POOL CLASSIC
THE QUARTER FINALS
Mick Hill	8 : 6	Jason Twist
Gavin Geraghty	8 : 4	Sean Conway
Darren Appleton	8 : 5	Barry Hough
Gareth Potts	8 : 4	Jason Shaw

IRELAND'S INVITATION 8-BALL PRO-AM POOL CLASSIC
THE SEMI FINALS
Mick Hill	9 : 6	Gavin Geraghty
Gareth Potts	9 : 4	Darren Appleton

IRELAND'S INVITATION 8-BALL PRO-AM POOL CLASSIC
THE FINAL
Gareth Potts	10 : 9	Mick Hill

2008 Ireland's Invitation 8Ball Pro-Am Pool Classic Champion Gareth Potts pictured receiving his trophy from the Lough Erne Hotel hosts and the main sponsors Ivan and Sam Job.

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Irish Pairing Wins Junior Pro-Am

Frank Fay of Fay Builders junior pro-am sponsors is pictured presenting the winners Stephen Dempsey & Niall Sweeney (winners, pictured left) and Jason Twist & Ben Mc Moran (runner-up) with their prizes

The popular junior pro-am which was organised for the local junior players and kindly sponsored by Fay Builders from Coalisland went down a treat when all the young players got the opportunity to partner one of the world's top players in this scotch doubles event.

The tournament was only limited to eight pairs with a open blind draw taking place which saw the trophies staying in Ireland when young Niall Sweeney from Roscommon partnered the 2007 European Pool Champion Stephen Dempsey from Co. Cavan to victory, defeating Tyrone’s Ben Mc Moran and twice world 8ball champion Jason Twist 4-0 in the final.

IRELAND'S JUNIOR PRO-AM SCOTCH DOUBLES
THE QUARTER FINALS
Raymond Todd / Gareth Potts	3 : 1	Seamus Mc Ardle / Ross Mc Innes
Stephen Dempsey / Niall Sweeney	3 : 1	Carl Martin / Pat Holtz
Ronan Fay / Darren Appleton	3 : 1	Gareth Quinn / Pat O’ Kane
Ben Mc Moran / Jason Twist	3 : 0	Cieran Fay / Aiden Finch

IRELAND'S JUNIOR PRO-AM SCOTCH DOUBLES
THE SEMI FINALS
Demsey / Sweeney	3 : 2	Todd / Potts
Mc Moran / Twist	3 : 2	Fay / Appleton

IRELAND'S JUNIOR PRO-AM SCOTCH DOUBLES
THE FINAL
Dempsey / Sweeney	4 : 0	Mc Moran / Twist

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Ireland’s Shane O’ Hara Crowned Champion In £1,000 Plate Tournament

Shane O' Hara receiving his £500 first prize and a sponsored cue from Ivan Job of the Lough Erne Hotel and sponsor for winning the 2008 £1,000 open plate tournament.

Ireland’s top cueist Shane O’ Hara from Co. Leitrim picked up the £500 winners cheque in the £1,000 plate tournament which was organised for all players who didn’t reach the ¼-finals of the Ireland’s Invitation 8Ball Pro-Am Pool Classic main event, defeating Scotland’s professional Pat Holtz in a thrilling final on a 4-2 score-line.

On Shane’s route to victory, the Co. Leitrim player defeated Cieran Summerville (Tyrone), Alan Mc Bennett (Cavan), Connor Mc Cooey (Down), Alan Maxwell (Scotland), and Pat Holtz in the final to be crowned champion.

THE £1,000 PLATE TOURNAMENT
THE QUARTER FINALS
Pat Holtz (Scotland)	3 : 1	Ronan Fay (Tyrone)
Chris Brown (Scotland)	3 : 1	Declan Hough (Mayo)
Alan Maxwell (Scotland)	3 : 0	Brian Curtis (Fermanagh)
Shane O’ Hara (Leitrim)	3 : 1	Connor Mc Cooey (Down)

THE £1,000 PLATE TOURNAMENT
THE SEMI FINALS
Pat Holtz	4 : 2	Chris Brown
Shane O’ Hara	4 : 2	Alan Maxwell

THE £1,000 PLATE TOURNAMENT
THE FINAL
Shane O’ Hara	4 : 2	Pat Holtz

Ronnie Boyle presenting Pat Holtz with his £250 runner-up prize in the 2008 £1,000 open plate tournament.

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