Cleary takes Seniors snooker crown

Mullingar Snooker Club notes

This year's Westmeath Seniors Snooker Champions Cup, sponsored by St. Mary’s Snooker Club, Mullingar, took place in the club rooms in Bishopsgate Street.

The senior players look forward to this event each year, with Chairman Mick Kane and Treasurer Pat Donohoe, who also acted as Tournament Director, taking charge of the final as referee and score keeper respectively.

The tournament attracted an entry of 12 players aged over 60 and was played under handicap conditions. The competition has an unusual record, with the first-ever winner, Oliver Plunkett, retaining the title.

The final was always likely to be a close contest, getting the best-of-three match underway between favourite Ger O’Connor and unseeded challenger Anthony Cleary.

The match was a test of nerves between the two players. O’Connor was conceding 20 points in each frame, while Cleary used excellent safety play to prevent his opponent from gaining the upper hand early. The scores reflected the quality of the contest, and with only three frames to play, losing the opening frame made the task considerably more difficult.

Anthony Cleary broke off in the first frame and, following some good safety play, led by 28 points. O’Connor then produced a 30 break, but Cleary immediately responded with a 20 break, leaving O’Connor trailing by 20 points.

As the frame reached its conclusion, there were just seven points between the players, and both needed the final pink and black.

Cleary came to the table and produced one of his trademark shots, potting a pink along the rail into the corner pocket. The ball struck the back of the pocket before Cleary screwed back to pot a superb black into an almost impossible blind pocket, taking the opening frame.

On to frame two and once again, O’Connor found himself playing catch-up.

Trailing by 20 points, he produced a wonderful clearance of 22 points on the colours to level the match on the black ball and take the frame.

In frame three, Cleary established an early 20-point advantage and kept O’Connor restricted to just seven points as he controlled the table.

Cleary looked determined, and his excellent safety play left Ger struggling to find opportunities.

Trailing by 35 points with 43 points remaining, O’Connor needed a snooker and a clearance to win. Cleary continued to apply pressure with some excellent tactical play and laid an amazing snooker behind the pink ball in the centre of the table, leaving a touching ball.

O’Connor had to play away from the pink with right-hand side, but the cue ball travelled between the balls and referee Mick Kane called a miss. O’Connor managed a great escape on the next shot, but Cleary picked up a few more pots, leaving Ger needing snookers.

Cleary then turned the screw with another superb snooker behind the black and pink, with the balls positioned the length of the table. This time, there was no escape for O’Connor, who congratulated Anthony and conceded the match.

Final score: Anthony Cleary 2-1 Ger O’Connor. Frame scores: 85–81, 45–51 and 65–27.

Presentation

Mick Kane, Tournament Director and referee, invited Ger O’Connor to receive his finalist’s prize before presenting Anthony Cleary with the 2026 Seniors Snooker Champions Cup.

Mick thanked all the players for their performances and for supporting the event. Although the match was short, it was highly entertaining and exciting, as it always is when Anthony Cleary is at the table.

Tournament results

First Round: Oliver Plunkett (+25) beat Matt Reilly (+25), 2–1; Pat Doyle (+40) beat Kieran Macken (+20), with both players withdrawing; Anthony Cleary (+20) beat Sammy Smyth (+25), 2–0.

Quarter-finals: Pat Donohoe (+20) beat Dennis Brunt (+30), 2–0; Anthony Cleary (+20) beat Mick Kane (scratch), 2–1; Ger O’Connor (+5) beat Dave Cullen (+40), 2–0; Oliver Plunkett (+20) beat Pat Doyle (+30) by walkover.

Semi-finals:

Anthony Cleary (+20) beat Pat Donohoe (+20), 2–1; Ger O’Connor (scratch) beat Oliver Plunkett (+20), 2–1.

Final: Anthony Cleary (+20) beat Ger O’Connor (scratch), 2–1 (85–81, 45–51, 65–27).

Champions Roll of Honour 2000–2026

2000:

O Plunkett; 2001: O Plunkett; 2011: M Kane; 2024: P Leung; 2025: P Donohoe; 2026: A Cleary.