Fry sizzles in historic live Drumaness snooker event

16 May 2018

DRUMANESS Snooker Club made local snooker history last week by hosting the first ever snooker tournament in Northern Ireland that was entirely streamed live on Facebook.

The event was a 24-man invitational event. Invitations went out to the top 16 ranked players in Northern Ireland plus eight local wild cards.

Three days of intense competition last weekend cumulated in an all-Antrim town final last Wednesday night featuring four-time and current Northern Ireland champion, Jordan Brown, who also made it to the final of the European Championships in Bulgaria earlier this year.

Up against Jordan was team-mate and former All-Ireland U-19 champion, Raymond Fry.

The first four frames were shared in an incredibly high standard mini session with a 50 plus break in every frame including a 105 clearance from Fry to go 1-0 up and an incredible maximum attempt from Brown, missing the 15th black on 113.

After the break Fry got off to a flyer, knocking in an impeccable 118 clearance to go 3-2 up.

Brown fought back to take the next two frames before Fry edged a tense eighth frame to make it 4-4 and give the audience the decider the match deserved.

With the 40 strong crowd glued to their seats and now over 150 people watching online, including Masters Champion Mark Allen and former World Champion Shaun Murphy, both players were understandably feeling the pressure.

After several missed opportunities apiece, it all came down to the pink and black. First of all Fry potted the match-winning pink only to see the cue ball cruelly roll into the green pocket.

Then Brown potted the pink, but failed to land on the black. After a few safety exchanges it was Fry who rolled in the final black to clinch the title and lift the Jimmy McGivern Memorial Cup.

Tournament director Darren Oldroyd thanked tournament sponsor Gary Rodgers of Ballynahinch Motor Factors and the members of Drumaness Snooker Club who pulled together to help put this great event on.

The final can still be viewed on Drumaness Snooker Club’s Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/100010303566875/videos/607274522959328/?id=100010303566875

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