Castlewellan Pool League

By Niall Burns

THE battle for supremacy in the Castlewellan Pool League took another twist last week as Savage’s lost more ground on the Four Roads after a draw against Loughinisland GAC, while the Four Roads had a routine win over the Bridge Bar.

Maginn’s Bar had a fantastic win to close the gap on Savage’s while the Heights beat Ballykinlar and Mooney’s drew with the Jocks.

Annsborough Club 2 Maginn’s Bar 4

The first frame was a close encounter between Mickey and Paddy. Mickey should have put this frame to bed early on but some mistakes crept in allowing Paddy to work his way back into contention. After some great potting by both players it was Mickey who came out on top to put the visitors ahead.

The second was always going to be a close affair between Brendan and Anthony. This frame could have gone to a re-rack after Anthony blocked off Brendan’s ball with two of his own. However, a risky shot from Anthony, that had it worked would have almost certainly won him the frame, didn’t go as planned, giving Brendan two shots. With these shots Brendan took full advantage of the situation to seal the win, making it 2-0 to Maginn’s.

The match between Hightower and Nathan had all the makings of a classic. Nathan went at it straight from the break with some super potting. Hightower never really got going in this one and a miscued shot on his ball let Nathan in to win the frame to get the home side off the mark. The fourth saw Brian get the better of Chris with a great display of potting that left the Maginn’s boys reeling.

Yet another week and and yet another win for Sean James with Yogi the victim this time. This match could have been over before it really started when Sean James nearly cost himself the frame by attempting to stop the white rolling in off. Luckily though Sean James moved his hand a fraction and let the white roll into the pocket. Both players had their chances in this one and maybe it could have been a bit closer but in the end Sean James’ superior finishing proved to be the difference. This left the score 3-2 to Maginn’s.

In the last, a great game was played out between James and Big Nige. After some shaky pool from both players the game shot into life when Nige went on a potting spree. At one point this could have been a brush win for Nige but the resilient James came back fighting. With the frame hanging in the balance, knowing that one bad shot from either player could be their last, Nige took the bull by the horns and sank the black to complete a great win for Maginn’s.

Savage’s Bar 3 Loughinisland GAC 3

After a few snookers from Jim, his luck eventually ran out with Gerard taking his chance to seal the win for the home side. Felix got the better of Smurf after an unfortunate in-off after a great double and Decky got the better of Dave with a fine win.

Marty and Branny played out a frame that seemed to go on forever. With both players deciding to play it safe, it was Branny who took the chance when it presented itself and won the game to make it 3-1 to the visitors.

Simon and Romano played out a great frame with both players pulling off some fantastic shots and Simon took the win after a mistake from his opponent. In the last, Miceal got the better of Barra to break the hearts of the Island boys and take a point for Savage’s.

Bridge Bar 1 Four Roads Inn 5

Leaders Four Roads Inn kept up their impressive form, dispatching the Bridge Bar. Winners for the visitors were Sean Wooley, Lee Grant, Darren Hogg, Mark Grant and Jim Hogg. Martin Duggan picked up the Bridge’s win.

Mooney’s Bar 3 Mulholland’s Jocks 3

A hard fought draw between these two teams with Gary Murray, Big Jim and Niall Warnock winning for Mooney’s and James Brannigan, Mosey and Flash for the Jocks.

Ballykinlar GAC 1 The Heights 5

The Heights pulled off a great win against the Club with Spider, PJ, Nial, Kieran and Mark winning for the visitors.

* Apologies to the Mooney’s Bar team who pointed out that they had contacted the Loughinisland captain last week to make it known they would not be able to play the match. I can only go on the information given.

* It was brought to the League’s attention that the Top Potters list might have been added up wrongly. After a re-count of players wins there was found to be a mistake.

The revised list is as follows: Brendan Bannon, Brian McAreavey, Sean Wooley 11, Felix Valentine 10, Sean James Brannigan, Darren Hogg, Mark Grant, Jim Hogg, Lee Grant 9, Paul McCullough, Martin Duggan, Branny Blaney, Jim Carvill, Yogi Greenan, Eddie Gowdy 8.

* The Seven-a-Side Cup will be starting on Tuesday, February 7, with the preliminary round taking place. The quarter-finals will take place on Thursday, February 9.

The draw is: Preliminary round: Mulholland’s Jocks v Four Roads Inn, Mooney’s Bar v Maginn’s Bar.

Quarter finals: Bridge Bar v Savage’s Bar, Heights Bar v Ballykinlar GAC, Annsborough Club v Mooney’s/Maginn’s, Loughinisland GAC v Mulholland’s/Four Roads Inn.

* This Thursday’s fixtures: Heights Bar v Annsborough Club, Maginn’s Bar v Mooney’s Bar, Mulholland’s Jocks v Savage’s Bar, Loughinisland GAC v Bridge Bar, Four Roads Inn v Ballykinlar GAC.