Avenue Inn Rovers to face the Baize in Des Denning Cup final

The main action in last week’s Tuborg Dundalk Pool League centred on the semi finals of the Des Denning Cup.

In the first semi final, played in the Avenue Inn, the holders Commercial Classico’s played Avenue Rovers.

In the opening game, Paul Kelly recorded two excellent finishes to beat Aaron Callan 2–0 to put Rovers 1–0 ahead. The second match featured Declan Brady and Classico’s captain Martin Ferrigan proceeded to clear the table when Declan potted nothing from the break.

It was a similar scenario in the second frame, only this time it was Declan that cleared the table to level the match at 1–1. In the decider, Declan broke and potted the white ball, again giving Martin the chance to clear the table and level the overall score at 1–1.

In the next match, Wayne Rogers played Vincent Brannigan and in a tactical match Wayne eventually gained a 2–1 victory to put Rovers back in front. The fourth match featured Rovers captain Pat Brady against Michael Ralph and in a long drawn out tactical affair it was Pat who won 2–0 to put Rovers 3–1 ahead.

Alan Thompson played Dominic O’Connor in the fifth match and it was Dominic who gave a real potting exhibition to win 2–0 to send the match to a sixth game. Here, John Dugdale returned to his best form to beat Justin McArdle 2–0 and complete a 4–2 victory for Avenue Rovers.

In the second semi final, Castle Bar Baize played host to second division Harry’s Heroes and it was the Baize who started brightly when Conor McDonnell beat Michael McAlister 2–0.

The home team doubled their lead when Paul Ruane continued his good run of form to beat Heroes captain Don O’Brien 2–0 but the Heroes got back into the match when Martin Hayes, with two superb clearances, beat Stephen McBride 2–0.

Unfortunately for the Heroes, this was to be their only win as the Baize won the last three matches through Tiernan Mallon, Liam Johnston and Maddy Hoey.

A new name will be on the trophy this year when the Baize play Avenue Rovers in the final. A date to be confirmed.

Shield round-up

In the Shield competition, which is for teams that didn’t make the league play-offs, there were victories for Uncle Tom’s C, Windmill Red, Castle Bar Baize and Avenue United. The semi finals of the Shield will take place on Monday, March 27th. The line up is: Uncle Tom’s C v Avenue United and Windmill Red v Castle Bar Baize.

Division One Masters

In the Division One Masters, the following players have qualified for the semi finals: Vincent Brannigan, Ger Cunningham and Alan Thompson. One last semi final place is up for grabs and the four in contention for this are Paul Ruane, Michael Ralph, Dessie Soraghan and Wayne Rogers.

Individual competition

The last 16 and quarter finals of the individual competition will take place on Monday, April 3rd with the last 16 being played over the best of seven frames and the quarter finals played over best of nine frames.

This week’s fixtures

Monday, March 27th 2017
Division One semi-finals
Avenue Rovers v Soraghan’s
Avenue Avengers v Commercial Classico’s

Division Two semi-finals
Castle Bar Baize v Harry’s Heroes
Uncle Tom’s B v Cluskey’s

Shield
Uncle Tom’s C v Avenue United
Windmill Red v Castle Bar Baize