League Seniors Individual

Below are details of our 2011/12 season Seniors Individual Competition


What - Carrick & District League 2011/2012 Seniors Individual Competition
Where - Greenisland WMC
When - Saturday 18th February 2012
Time - Starts 1pm
Cost - £5 per person
Who - Open to any League registered player who has played in 4 League matches
Dress Code - No
Age - Players must be over 42 on 1st January 2012
Format - Knockout

Result from Wednesday 15th February

HEADLINES

MONKSTOWN CONSOLIDATE 5TH SPOT ~ VALKYRIES MOVE OFF THE BOTTOM

Monkstown 9-5 Valkyries. Monkstown took the early initiative with a 3-1 lead but Valkyries kept biting at their heels and trailed by only 3-4 at the half time interval. And an upset was a possibility when the visitors then levelled at 4-4, but that seemed to galvanise the hosts who ran off 5 of the next 6 frames. Best scorer on the night was Monkstown's Ronnie Nelson with 3/3

Results from Monday 13th February

Home & Away Cup Quarter Finals 1st Leg

Spartans 7-7 Castle
Pirates 7-7 Scorpions
Rockers 9-5 Greenisland
Barbarians 10-4 Whitehead Trojans

Barbarians 10-4 Whitehead Trojans. Only a point seperated these 2 teams in the League so a tight Cup tie was expected. But Michael Lowry's Barbarians had other ideas as they raced into a 6-1 interval lead with wins for H.Regan (2), M.Porter (2), Lowry himself and G.Harrington. Trojans sole point was scored by T.Scott-Heyes. Regan with his 2nd successive hat trick made it 7-1 before the visitors dragged themselves back into the tie with a brace from Captain G.McCormick and the experienced S.Hamilton. But 3 in a row from Harrington, Lowry and P.Akehurst put Barbarians well in control of the tie. The 14th and final frame was won by G.Jones to give the Whitehead team a glimmer of hope in the 2nd Leg. Barbarians will approach the 2nd Leg in a professional manner without complacency, but they are definitely looking good for Semi Final spot on the strength of this performance.

Spartans 7-7 Castle. The Leagues top 2 teams were paired against each other in the Home and Away Cup Quarter Final. R.Hawkins won Frame 1 to get the hosts off to a good start, but T.McCorry and A.Toner soon had Castle in front with 2 fine finishes. K.English levelled the match at 2-2 with a long black before Castle again edged in front with Toner notching up his 2nd. The next 2 were shared, E.Martin for the home side and D.Irwin for the visitors to give Castle a 4-3 interval lead. Martin won Frame 8 to make it 4-4 but a Castle brace from Meredith and McCorry opened up the first 2 frame gap of the evening. A great finish from English gave Spartans hope but yet again Castle replied, McCorry getting his hat trick with a superb 8 ball clearance to ensure Castle would go in to the 2nd leg with at least a draw. But Tommy Maguire's team have been digging deep this season when needs be and English finished superbly to mark his hat trick and bring the scoreline back to 6-7. It looked like Castle would take the honours though as Irwin was on for a break and dish, but a horrendous kick on his 6th colour let in Hawkins who typically grinded his way back into the frame. He got badly out of position on the black but to his team mates relief he sunk it from distance to leave it all to play for in the 2nd Leg in Greenisland.

Results from Tuesday 7th February

HEADLINES

SPARTANS STAY TOP ~ ROCKERS AND CASTLE KEEP THE PRESSURE ON ~ BARBARIANS STUN PIRATES ~ BOTH MONKSTOWN TEAMS WIN ~ SCOPRPIONS HELD AT HOME

MSC Trojans 9-5 Teddy Bears
Pirates 7-7 Barbarians
Scorpions 7-7 Whitehead Trojans
Rockers 11-3 Alpha
Castle 9-5 Greenisland
Eastway 4-10 Monkstown
Spartans 10-4 Valkyries

Pirates 7-7 Barbarians. Pirates let a golden opportunity slip in their quest to win the League title this season. They led 3-0 through P.McCaffrey, C.Carson and H.McMurtry, but the away side then replied with G.Harrington and P.Akehurst registering. The next 2 frames were shared giving Pirates a slender 4-3 interval lead. In the 2nd half McCaffrey, S.Carson and R.McMurtry scored for the home side with H.Regan replying twice for the Barbarians. Pirates were now on the hill at 7-5 up with 2 to play, but Barbars Captain M.Lowry won the 13th to ensure the match would go the full distance before the destination of the points was known. And it was J.Regan who stunned the hosts by potting the final black of the night to deny Pirates the 3 points they badly desired.

Spartans 10-4 Valkyries. Stablemates Spartans and Valkyries met for the 3rd time in 4 weeks, this time in a League fixture. Spartans raced into a 3-0 lead before the Valkyries registered their first score. Any possible upset was quickly dismissed when the League leaders took 5 out of the next 6 frames to secure the 3 points at 8-2. Credit to Valkyries as they kept on fighting and pulled it back to 8-4 before a brace of frames ended the match at 10-4 for Tom Maguires team. On target for The Spartans were E.McDowell (3), R.Hawkins (3), K.English (2), S.McWhirter (1) and D.Lowe (1). For Valkyries it was S.Peoples (2), S.Lennon (1) and L.Ruddock (1)

Result from Thursday 2nd February

Home & Away Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg (1st Leg results in blue)


Greenisland (8) 7-3 (6) Alpha (Greenisland win 15-9 on aggregate)

Greenisland will play The Rockers in the Quarter Final. 1st Leg at The Rockers

Northern Ireland Mens & Mixed Doubles Championships

The 2012 Northern Ireland Mens Doubles and Mixed Doubles Championships, take place this coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday 4th & 5th February respectively. Pictured right are current Mens Champions Davy Tosh and Lee Caulfield, both from Coleraine, and below Mixed Doubles Champions Dee Irwin (Belfast) and Sara Greenberg (Newtownabbey)

Details of entry are below. Please note registration closing times.


What - 2012 Mens Northern Ireland Doubles Championships
When - Saturday 4th January 2012
Where - Ballymena United SC
Time - Registration closes at 11:30am (for both players)
Cost - £15 per team if NIPA affiliated, or £20 unaffiliated
Who - Open to anyone who is eligible to play for Northern Ireland
Dress code - NIPA dress code applies
Format - Scotch Doubles



What - 2012 Northern Ireland Mixed Doubles Championships
When - Sunday 5th January 2012
Where - Ballymena United SC
Time - Registration closes at 11:30am (for both players)
Cost - £10 per team if NIPA affiliated, or £12.50 unaffiliated
Who - Open to anyone who is eligible to play for Northern Ireland
Dress code - NIPA dress code applies
Format - Scotch Doubles

Results from Tuesday 31st January

Home & Away Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg (1st Leg results in blue)


MSC Trojans (4) 3-5 (10) Castle (Castle win 15-7 on aggregate)
Spartans(12) 3-0 (2) Valkyries (Spartans win 15-2 on aggregate)
Monkstown (6) 3-7 (8) Scorpions (Scorpions win 15-9 on aggregate)
Barbarians (9) 6-4 (5) Teddy Bears (Barbarians win 15-9 on aggregate)
Eastway (7) 7-8 (7) Whitehead Trojans (Whitehead Trojans win 15-14 on aggregate)
Greenisland (8) P-P (6) Alpha

Barbarians 6-4 Teddy Bears. With Barbarians having built up a sound 4 frame advantage from the 1st leg the Teddy Bears were hoping to get off to a good start. But it was veteran H.Regan who took the first, potting 6 reds and the black for a 1-0 home lead. And it was soon 2-0 as M.Porter broke and dished in the second. But the Bears came right back with a brace of their own, A. Moore taking advantage of a foul to clear up his 7 colours and the black and A.Lyndsey with a tidy finish of his own. The next could have gone either way but G.Harrington just edged it to give the hosts the lead again. The last 2 before the interval went to the visitors with A.Moore, and A.Lyndsey with his 2nd, giving the Bears a 4-3 advantage and hope of staging a comeback in the tie. But it wasn't to be as a 3 frame burst from Regan, Porter and Harrington sealed a 6-4 win on the night and 15-9 overall win over the 2 legs for Michael Lowry's Barbarians.

Eastway 7-8 Whitehead Trojans. This must go down as the match of the round. The 2 teams couldn't be seperated after 28 frames of pool over the 2 legs in Whitehead and Rathcoole. The tie then entered a sudden death play off frame and with the clock ticking towards the midnight hour the tension in the room was tangible. Cometh the midnight hour cometh the man and Trojans Captain Gordon McCormick potted the 29th black of the tie to send his team into a Quarter Final tie against the Barbarians. Credit to both teams for a battle right to the end.

Spartans 3-0 Valkyries. With Spartans having built up a commanding lead in the first leg, a shock result wasn't expected when the teams met again. And the tie was over after the 3rd Frame as the hosts secured the 3 they needed to take them into the Quarter Finals where they will face Castle who overcame MSC Trojans by a 15-7 aggregate. On target for Spartans were D.Lowe (2) and S.McWhirter (1).

Quarter Final draw

Spartans v Castle
Barbarians v Whitehead Trojans
Rockers v Alpha/Greenisland
Pirates v Scorpions

End of Season Prizegiving

The City Air Express Carrick & District Pool League "End of Season Prizegiving" will be held in Whiteabbey Royal British Legion Club on Friday 25th May 2012

Que Sara Sara

Congratulations to Sara Greenberg who along with Coleraine's Julie Henderson are the new 2012 Northern Ireland Ladies Doubles Champions. Sara who Captains Monkstown Pool Team won the title on Sunday 29th January in the Ballymena United SC. Sara had reached the Final of the Ladies Individual Championships the previous week only losing out to the excellent Michelle Roonay from Enniskillen.


Well done Sara, you've done our wee League proud

Double delight for McCorry & Johnston

Congratulations to Johnny Johnston (Rockers) and Tom McCorry (Castle). The duo are the new 2011/2012 season Carrick & District League Doubles Champions.

At the Competition in Monkstown SC, they defeated last seasons winners Kenny English (Spartans) & Stephen McWhirter (Spartans) 4-1 in the Final. They had survived a scare in the 1st Round, when trailing 2-0 and looking down and out against Clem Howard (Castle) & Colin Montgomery (Scorpions), but fought back to win 3-2.

After being part of the winning 3-a-Sides team earlier in the season, McCorry is now on course for what would be a fantastic treble of wins in, 3-a-Sides, Doubles and Individuals. A feat only achieved before by Paul Kerr in the 2006/2007 season.

Frames
McCorry/Johnston, McCorry/Johnston, McCorry/Johnston, English/McWhirter, McCorry/Johnston

Home & Away Cup draw

The draw has been made for the Quarter Finals of the Home & Away Cup. Ist Leg ties to be played Monday 13th February and 2nd Leg ties to be played Monday 5th March.

Valkyries/Spartans v Castle/MSC Trojans
Teddy Bears/Barbarians v Whitehead Trojans/Eastway
Rockers v Alpha/Greenisland
Pirates v Scorpions/Monkstown

Results from Tuesday 24th January

HEADLINES

WINS FOR TOP 4 BUT ONLY JUST FOR SPARTANS AS MONKSTOWN FIGHT BACK ~ MSC TROJANS UP TO 6TH ~ ALL SQUARE BETWEEN BEARS AND VALKYRIES ~ GREENISLAND WIN AWAY

Barbarians 5-9 MSC Trojans
Whitehead Trojans 3-11 Rockers
Monkstown 6-8 Spartans
Castle 9-5 Eastway
Teddy Bears 7-7 Valkyries
Alpha 4-10 Greenisland
Pirates 10-4 Scorpions

Pirates 10-4 Scorpions. Pirates couldn't have wished for a better start as they continued their wonderful season challenging for the League title, what a breath of fresh air they have been. S.Carson, P.McCaffrey and C.Carson with a classy finish, raced them into a 3-0 lead, but the Scorpion sting wasn't extinguished altogether and C.Montgomery Jr and C.Rafferty brought them back into match at 3-2. The next 2 frames went the way of the hosts through H.McMurtry and P.McCaffrey to give Roy McMurtry's Pirates a 5-2 lead at the interval. It got better into the 2nd half for the home team with an S.Carson whitewash and a win for the experienced A.Corrigan guaranteeing them at least a point at 7-2. Scorpions rallied to take the next brace of frames but Pirates done their frame difference no harm at all by winning the final 3 frames of the match courtesy of C.Carson, H.McMurtry and the ever improving P.McCaffrey with his hat trick on the night.

Barbarians 5-9 MSC Trojans. It started well for the hosts with wins for NI Seniors players H.Regan and M.Porter. But the visitors retaliated with a fine treble, courtesy of wins from J.Murdoch, A.Mackie and R,McMaw. J Regan levelled at 3-3 but the all important 7th frame went to the visitors through M.McIlvenny. After the interval it was soon level again with another Porter success as the match looked like it would go the distance. But a 5 frame burst from MSC Trojans gauranteed Rab Browns team the 3 points that move them up to a credible 6th in the League table, only 2 points behind their stablemates Monkstown. The final frame of the match was won by Barbarian P.Akehurst. 

Monkstown 6-8 Spartans. It's never over till it's over. Although Monkstown took a 1-0 lead, League leaders The Spartans then proceeded to take the next 6 matches on the first half of the card to enjoy a very healthy lead at a venue they invariably struggle at. And when the visitors increased the lead to 7-1 after the interval it looked like game set and match. Not the case though, as Monkstown reeled off 4 on the trot to trail only 5-7. In the crucial Frame 13 G.Russell was unlucky when going for game but not for the first time this season Larne man E.Martin ripped out a precise clearance to edge his side over the line much to the relief of his team mates. And it was just as well, as P.Henderson won the last for the hosts with probably one of the quickest break and dishes the League has ever seen. With Spartans Manager T.Maguire absent, stand in R.Hawkins was delighted to head back down the coast with the 3 points. Highlights of the night were another 3/3 for E,Martin, a position perfect break and dish from E.McDowell and that rapid clearance from P.Henderson. Scorers as follows. Spartans, Martin 3, McDowell 2, English 2, Lowe 1. Monkstown, P.Henderson 2, R.Henderson 1, Greenberg 1, Russell 1 and Charles 1.

League Doubles draw

The draw for the 2011/2012 Carrick League Doubles has taken place. And there are some interesting ties in prospect. The Competition will be played to a finish in the Monkstown Club this Saturday 28th January. Entry is £10 per team.

Could all players in blue be available to play from 12 noon

Could all players in red be available to play from 1.30pm


1/ R.Butler/A.Arbuthnot v S.McWhirter/K.English
(winners play J.McIlroy/M.McCourt)

2/ C.Montgomery/C.Howard v S.Lennon/W.Morrison
(winners play J.Johnston/T.McCorry)

3/ I.McCalmont/S.Peoples v A.Galloway/G.Burns
(winners play P.Roberts/D.Irwin)

4/ G.Russell/S.Walker v G.Fee/G.Jones
(winners play A.Corrigan/P.McCaffrey)

5/ P.Harris/S.Clarke v S.Greenberg/Ryan Henderson
(winners play D.Montgomery/M.McIlvenny)

6/ P.Henderson/Robert Henderson v A.Carson/T.Larmour
(winners play R.Baird/T.Scott-Heyes)

7/ R.McMurtry/H.McMurtry v M.Kitson/J.Kitson
(winners play C.Webster/Derek Whiteside)

8/ A.Mackie/A.McMeekin v S.Carson/C.Carson

Prelims in blue are best of 3 frames.
1st Round proper matches are also best of 3 frames.
Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Final are best of 5 frames

Once a player touches the table, discussion between players in a team is not allowed

A one minute shot clock may be used if a match is deemed to be going to slow.

Each round after above, to be redrawn

Results from Tuesday 17th January

Home & Away Cup 1st Round 1st Leg

HEADLINES

SPARTANS START DEFENCE OF CUP WITH COMFORTABLE WIN ~ SCORPIONS EDGE MONKSTOWN ~ MSC TROJANS WITH UPHILL TASK ~ WINS FOR GREENISLAND & BARBARIANS ~ WHITEHEAD TROJANS & EASTWAY BATTLE OUT A DRAW

Valkyries 2-12 Spartans
Scorpions 8-6 Monkstown
Alpha 6-8 Greenisland
Whitehead Trojans 7-7 Eastway
Teddy Bears 5-9 Barbarians
Castle 10-4 MSC Trojans
Bye - Pirates
Bye - Rockers

Teddy Bears 5-9 Barbarians. Michael Lowrys Barbarians met Brian Flemings Teddy Bears for the 2nd week in a row hoping for a similar outcome as last. And veteran H.Regan got them off to a good start but a win for R.Williams soon levelled up the match. The visitors then had a purple patch with M.Porter (2), P.Akehurst, J.Regan, H.Regan and Captain M.Lowry himself all winning to secure at least a draw with a 7-1 lead. Back came the Bears with A.Lyndsey and B.Fleming reducing the arrears to 3-7. But H.Regan with his hat trick ensured the Barbarians would take a lead of sorts into the 2nd leg when the two sides meet in Greenisland. A.Moore and A,Lyndsey again scored for the hosts but a win for P,Akehurst in the final frame gave the away side a 4 frame advantage, although it is still all to play for in this tie.

Valkyries 2-12 Spartans. Spartans eased to a big first leg advantage against their stablemates the Valkyries  in Whitehead GRSC. On the scoresheet for the away side were D.Lowe (3), R.Hawkins (3), E.McDowell (2), S.McWhirter (2) and K.English (2). J.McIlroy had registered the Valkyries initial strike before S.Lennon defeated Spartans Captain T.Maguire early in the 2nd session.

Interleague round up

The Carrick teams done themselves proud at the annual NIPA Interleague event in The Queens Hall, Newtownards. Derek Whitesides 'B1' team (pictured right) lifted the 'B' Team event in style with Andy McMeekin in fantastic form scoring 100% with 10/10. Colin Montgomerys 'A' team reached the Semi Final easily winning Group One, only losing out to eventual winners Coleraine after a great effort. Top point scorers for Colins team were Rockers Captain John McClean on 75% and Pirates starman Steven Carson on 71%. Rab Brown's B2 team done remarkably well, winning their group to make the semi final knockout stages losing out 10-17 to the Carrick B1s.

Well done and thanks to all the players who proudly represented Carrick and especially to Derek Whiteside's B1s who brought home the first ever trophy from an Interleague event to our fine League.

Home & Away Cup 1st Round Draw

The draw for the 1st Round of the Home & Away Cup was made at the League Delegates meeting on Monday 12th December in Greenisland, and is as follows. Ties to be played on 17th & 31st January 2012.

Valkyries v Spartans
Scorpions v Monkstown
Alpha v Greenisland
Whitehead Trojans v Eastway
Teddy Bears v Barbarians
Castle v MSC Trojans
Pirates v BYE
Rockers v BYE

Interleague Teams

The N.I.P.A Interleague Competition is fast approaching. The 'B' team event is on January 14th 2012 and the 'A' Team event the following day, Sunday 15th January. Both are played in the Queens Hall, Newtownards. Carrick's 3 team Managers have been busy selecting their squads and are as follows -

A' Team	B1' Team	B2' Team
C.Montgomery Sr (M)	Dk. Whiteside (M)	R.Brown (M)
A.Arbuthnot	G.Crawley	R.McMurtry
P.Harris	J.Johnston	D.Montgomery
Dn.Whiteside	J.Meredith	M.McIlvenny
R.Butler	T.Whiteside	A.Corrigan
S.Carson	P.Roberts	A.Mackey
T.McCorry	L.Wright	H.McMurtry
A.Toner	R.Henderson	T. Scott-Heyes
D.Irwin	G.Russell	S.Lennon
P.Henderson	J.Thompson	G.Burns
C.Howard	D.Lowe	M.Lowry
C.Rafferty	G.Harrington	A.Galloway
J.McClean	A.McMeekin	P.Charles
	M.Wilson

Results from Tuesday 10th January

HEADLINES

McCORRY KEEPS CASTLE IN LEAGUE RACE ~ ROCKERS ALL AT SEA AS PIRATES MOVE UP TO 3RD ~ EASTWAY WIN RATHCOOLE DERBY MATCH

Spartans 7-7 Castle
Pirates 8-6 Rockers
Scorpions 7-7 MSC Trojans
Eastway 8-6 Alpha
Greenisland 8-6 Whitehead Trojans
Barbarians 8-6 Teddy Bears
Monkstown P-P Valkyries

Pirates 8-6 Rockers. Roy McMurtrys Pirates brought League Champions The Rockers onto the good ship Brown Cow and proceeded to make them walk the plank. After losing the corresponding away fixture on the opening day of the season by a massive 12-2 scoreline The Pirates had a point to prove. And in a fantastic match they done just that. It started well for the visitors with Captain J.McClean ousting A.Corrigan after he snookered himself on the black whilst going for a break and dish. The consistent P.McCaffrey levelled only for Darren Whiteside to give The Rockers the initiative once again. But Pirates then took 4 in a row courtesy of S.Carson, H.McMurtry and C.Carson x2 including an 8 ball clearance. After the break R.Butler replied for the Champions but Pirates guaranteed themselves at least a point when they took the next 2. Back came Rockers with Arbuthnot and McClean again, keeping their hopes of a draw alive but it was to no avail as Pirate H.McMurtry ensured the 3 points would stay in the Brown Cow with a fine win. P.Harris won the final frame of the evening to give a final scoreline of 8-6 to the Pirates.

Spartans 7-7 Castle. What a match ! Castle Captain Derek Whiteside could see the coveted League Title slipping away before his very eyes as a Martin & McDowell inspired Spartans raced into a 5-1 lead with some delightful pool. He knew a home win would all but end his teams hopes of regaining the crown they last won in the 2009/10 season. But C.Howard took the vital 7th frame to keep their hopes alive going into the interval. And the comeback continued into the 2nd session with the visitors drawing level at 5-5 before Man of the Match E.Martin finished superbly to restore Spartans lead. A.Toner levelled for Castle again as the match came down to the business end. And it looked all but over for S.McWhirter in Frame 13 as he was well snookered with his opponent having 3 balls over pockets just waiting for the kill. But the Larne man used the middle jaw to escape the snooker and pot his last colour at the same time to land plum on the black for a 7-6 Spartan lead. But the opposite happened in the final frame as T.McCorry also looked dead and buried but ripped out one of his trademark clearances from nowhere to earn Castle a point and keep the Title race very much alive.

Carrick League Doubles

Carrick League Doubles will take place on Saturday 28th January in Monkstown SC.

The draw will be done at the next League Committee meeting on Monday 23rd January in the Brown Cow, Carrickfergus.

Could all Team delegates please bring their Doubles pairings to the meeting that night or contact Rab Brown in advance on 07899 913785

Hangover Cup

Carrick & District Pool League will be holding a Hangover Cup Competition on Sunday 1st January in the Greenisland WMC. Entry is £5 per person and all proceeds will go to our Leagues nominated charity for 2011/2012, the Laurel House Cancer Unit in Antrim. Glenn Burns from the Greenisland Pool Team has very kindly pledged to add £50 on to whatever we lift on the day to go towards the Laurel House fund. We already have £100 for the fund which was lifted at our Charity Shield opening fixture of the season between Castle and Rockers. We chose this charity in memory of the late Robert Kennedy who passed away earlier this year.

Come along and have a fun day out, whilst having a great day of Pool but try not to end up with an even bigger hangover on the Tuesday !!!! :)

Kick off is 1pm, format tbc.