Doocey's crowned Mayo Pool Super League champions

DOOCEY’S five-man team were crowned champions after a long but enthralling day of pool at the recent Mayo Pool Super League team event in The Broadhaven Bay Hotel, Belmullet.

Eight teams took part in the new five-man team format, with players from all around the county making their way to Belmullet to play against each other. The eight teams included three from Erris, one each from Balla, Achill and Westport, and two mixed teams led by Noel Patton and Paddy Ward.

The teams were drawn into two groups of four, with the top team in each group contesting the final. Matches in the group stages were best of 20 frames, with two points for a win and a point apiece if the teams finished level.

In Group A, Doocey’s got their day of to a winning start with a 13-7 win over Noel Patton’s team while Achill and Balla drew 10-10 with Colum Morley, Colin Ruane and Walter Prendergast winning the last three frames to clinch a draw for one of the favourites for the competition.

In the second round of games Doocey’s had a 12-8 win over Achill while Daniel Foy secured the two points for Balla with two outrageous shots just when it looked like Sean Coyne would earn a point for Noel Patton’s side.

In the final round of games Doocey’s only needed a point to secure their place in the final and they did so with two frames to spare with an 11-9 win over Balla. Noel Patton’s team beat Achill 11-9 to earn third place in the group.

In the other group, Ed Holmes’ Erris team edged out the Westport boys as they progressed to the final on frame difference with only a few frames separating them in the end. In the first round of games, Ed Holmes’ side drew 10-10 against Westport as Dave McDonnell and Cian Hayes won the final two frames to earn a point for their team.

There was also a draw in the other match in the group as Paddy Ward’s team won six of the last nine frames against the other Erris side in the group, which was captained by Eoghan McGrath. In the second round of games Ed Holmes’ side had a 12-8 win over Paddy Ward’s team while Westport staged a big comeback against Eoghan McGrath’s side by winning the final four frames to win 11-9. In the final round of games Ed Holmes’ side proved much too strong for Eoghan McGrath’s team as they won 13-7, while Westport ended the group stages unbeaten too with a 11-9 win over Paddy Ward’s side.

All eight teams then played in the play-offs to decide the final placings for the day, with Eoghan McGrath’s side finishing seventh after a 9-6 win over Achill while Noel Patton’s and Paddy Ward’s teams tied for fifth after a draw and Balla edged out Westport for third as Oisin Early won the final frame in a dramatic match.

That left two teams fighting it out for the title and the experienced Doocey’s side edged out Ed Holmes’ team with four frames to spare in the best of 25 decider. Doocey’s always looked in control, with all five players winning vital games at crucial stages. In the end it was William Doherty who clinched the title for his side as he eventually got the better of Anthony Healy, who had a chance to prolong the match as he missed an attempted double on the black to leave William the chance he was looking for to put an end to the match.

After the final, Mayo Pool Association chairman Dave McDonnell made the presentations to the winners and runners-up as the curtain came down on another successful day in the Mayo Pool calendar. David Doocey was also presented with a medal for the best average of the day as he won 14 of the 16 frames he played for the winners.

The Mayo Pool Association thanked Erris Pool Events and the Broadhaven Bay Hotel for the use of their excellent facilities on the day.