Dornan does the business

Dornan does the business

15 January 2025

RYAN Dornan was crowned BMF snooker Individuals champion with an emphatic 3-2 win over club-mate Mark Boyd. 

Ryan was receiving 35 points on handicap per frame as Mark was vying to go one step further from defeat in last year’s final, but once again fell at the final hurdle.

The first frame started with a long safety battle but, as the balls started to open up Mark found joy with a 29 break followed quickly by a break of 20 from Ryan. 

Mark required two snookers on the colours, which he managed to get before following up with a 25 clearance to steal the frame and take a 1-0 lead. 

After a 45-minute second frame, Ryan managed to stay in front and curb Mark’s high scoring. Mark tried in vain for the required snookers, but Ryan added a late 25 break to level the scoring at 1-1. 

Frame three was another long affair and ultimately, came down to a matter of Ryan protecting his handicap. 

Mark hit a rather unlucky in-off after potting the final yellow and allowed Ryan in to snatch the frame for a 2-1 lead and move to just one win away from victory. 

It was looking all over in the next as Ryan took an early 59-11 lead, but once again, Mark clawed his way back into the frame and restored parity at 2-2 with a clearance of 27.

Ryan started the decider in fine fettle, picking off a few balls to increase his lead and with five reds remaining, he looked in command with 56-13 margin. 

When the frame reached the colours, Mark required one snooker and all the balls for victory, but a great long pot on the yellow, followed by the green and brown, saw Ryan achieve a dramatic win. 

The Northern Ireland U-16 champion can now add this title to his ever-growing list of achievements.

The league wishes to express its thanks to Drumaness Snooker Club for hosting the tournament, Robert Pollock, who acted as tournament director, and all those who came along to watch.