Bannsiders on Cue

The players, accompanied by boss Rodney McAree, were there to take part in the annual challenge with members of the Special Pool fraternity on their final night of practice ahead of Wednesday’s opening games in the Northern Ireland Special Pool Championships.

Former World, British and Northern Ireland Champion Valerie Taggart, a faithful Coleraine supporter who attends every home game at the Showgrounds, won her way through to the final where she met club captain Stephen O’Donnell for the annual trophy and bragging rights.

However, prior to the final, there were some very interesting and exciting games played on the tables with perhaps one of the best when the boss Rodney McAree lost out in a black ball fight to one of the special players who celebrated his victory with a punch in the air and a shout “C’mon the Crues”.

Lyndon Kane was going well until his opponent pulled out all the stops with a six-ball clearance to claim the tie, but for the players Darren McCauley, Garth McConaghie, and Adam Mullan proved too strong for the opposition, I think there are a few hustlers in the Coleraine camp, especially James McLaughlin!

Trevor McKendry was pipped in a black ball fight, as was Ciaron Harkin, but Stephen O’Donnell, Eoin Bradley and Paul Owens kept the Bannsiders in the match.

In the end, after some very exhilarating pool, a few trick shots, one or two flukes and missed black balls, it boiled down to the final between Valerie Taggart and Stephen O’Donnell. The Coleraine captain started off badly, a foul off the break, failing to hit the back cushion with his opening shot.

Valerie responded with five balls on the trot before rattling the jaws of the pocket and letting Stephen back at the table. He sunk three reds and laid a snooker which the experienced Taggart had no difficulty getting out of. However, O’Donnell managed another two reds before running out of position and having to play safe.

Valerie sunk two yellows, but missed a difficult black which hung invitingly over the middle pocket. Back came Stephen, an in-off the red to the bottom pocket let Valerie back at the table and with the finest of cuts, the game was over and the Special Pool team had won the match and the trophy.

Indeed, it was club captain Stephen O’Donnell who presented Valerie with the Irish Cup after the final, instead of the normal trophy. However, the higher echelons at Windsor Park need not be too alarmed, Valerie has promised to return the trophy to the Showgrounds for safe keeping after the tournament.

It was a great night’s craic. The players enjoyed the opportunity to relax after a hard training session and with honours even in terms of trophies won, Coleraine will be back again at next year’s tournament intent on regaining their crown.

Thanks to Northern Ireland Special Pool Tournament Organiser Trevor Harte for allowing the use of the tables for the challenge match and the team leaders and helpers who accompanied the players during the challenge, and last, but by no means least, the Special Pool Players and the Coleraine players for such an entertaining and challenging tournament.