Date posted: 19 June 2017, 4:08pm
Killiney Snooker Singles trophy goes to Harry ‘Potter’ Lawlor.
Harry proved his successful first attempt at the trophy last year was by no means a flash in the pan.
And to add the icing on the cake he beat the three time crowned champion Gordon Horsfield in the final. In fact Harry’s voyage to the final was cluttered with celebrated victories.
Harry started off back in December where he dismissed past champion Brian Carroll 2/1 in a tight best of three struggle. His next victim was none other than Past Captain Arthur Jordan who was in top form on the Thursday Blitz evenings and a serious scalp for Harry. Willow ‘The Whirlwind’ Murray followed and a tougher opponent would be hard to find. A very impressive 2/1 triumph and into the quarter finals.
Harry had to show some class on the baize in his penultimate match to beat Dermot ‘Quiet man’ McCarthy perhaps one of Killiney’s best snooker players (second perhaps only to P Geegy). Harry had a tough battle and only slipped through with the slenderest of 2/1 victories. He said after the match – “I had to dig deep there - I knew it was always going to be a tough match”. Dermot said nothing.
In the other half of the draw Gordon was cruising forward and playing well. He hadn’t lost a frame when securing a place in the final by beating Maurice ‘The Marauder’ McCudden - the bard of the baize on many a Thursday Blitz night. Maurice wielded his handicap with ferocious power and was unlucky to meet the Gordon in tip-top form. Both frames going the distance and showing the handicaps are pretty accurate.
The final was played to a packed crowd – you could have heard a pin drop – and a few ice cubes – as the referee checked his watch, tossed the coin – Game on.
N.B. Our organised referee had to cry-off with a surprise family commitment the day before the event and we were very lucky to get a truly experienced referee in Conrad Lyons who cancelled a surprise family commitment to be with us on the day. Clad immaculately in his Black bow-tie and white gloves Conrad silently pirouetted around the table calling the scores and replacing the balls with a knowledgeable command of the game. A fine player himself in his youth before his focus turned to ‘Captain’s day trophies’ where he has already amassed a brace in his pocket – so to speak. Many thanks Conrad – much appreciated by both competitors.
Heads – it was heads and Gordon chose to break. The first frame was very close as Gordon closed Harry’s 22 point advantage and slipped into the lead. Harry was unimpressed and with his youthful fearlessness potted really well to claw his way back leaving a black ball game. Both men had chances to win on the black and after an uncharacteristic error Harry left a chance into the middle for his opponent. Gordon took his time – held his breath - shoots and misses. Harry, with his next shot sinks the black in the same pocket – 1 frame up.
As with all the rounds the final is a best of three.
The second frame again sees Gordon attain the lead and get comfortable. Comfortable? – Harry didn’t quite see it like that and potted really well again leaving very few chances for Gordon to pot. With a great cross of the Blue Harry leaves Gordon requiring a snooker. Despite a few gallant attempts Harry surfaced a worthy winner. Two in a row Harry – very few have that on their C.V.
Well done to the gang of enthusiastic supporters and their knowledge of the game was appreciated.
Well that’s it for the 2016-2017 season – thank for all your support and maybe we will see a few new faces on September 7th when the 2017-2018 season starts.
Enjoy your summer.
Gordon Horsfield
