Gormon calls for game on

Ballina Snooker Club proprietor Richard Gorman has essentially called for ‘game on’ with an open invitation to players, young and old, to try their hand at cue-sports. With propositions to bring Irish team coach, P.J. “Bubble” Nolan and perhaps a professional player down in the coming months. Richard, much like this reporter, looks back on the days of snooker in Ballina with great fondness.

“My first memories of snooker in Ballina would be the Savoy. Tommy Battle and John Gilroy would have owned it, and then it passed to the hands of Mark Winters. I enjoyed many hours there during those years.Like so many others, I lost my job last year, it was then that I began to think about opening the snooker club in Ballina.

Ballina has a great history of snooker and pool, with an Irish champion, Jason Devaney and fielding teams in Connat championships. I went to the World Series in Killarney earlier this year and watched some of the best in Irish talent, including Jason Devaney, who played Jimmy White in a great match, Jason went 3-0 up and had a black to go 4-3 ahead in the first to five contest but Jimmy eventually ran out 5-3 winner.

“I met Janver Hass, the top snooker referee while I was down there and he signed some photos and memorabilia for the club.” Richard added.

Although not quite three years without a club the immense popularity of the sport and club is there to see for anyone who enters the door and walks the steps up to the new hub for snooker in the large Mayo town. Waiting lists for tables, the clink of ivory, the joys of victory and sighs of anguish clearly convey just what the sport means to the town and those who play it.

In the past teams representing Ballina have often entered the All-Ireland Club Championships, qualifying eleven years in succession, being crowned Connaught champions several times, having an A and B team qualify and once reaching the Quarter-Finals losing 3-2 to eventual winners Parkside.

“We’ll be holding an Intermediate Tournament here in October 24th and it would be great to see a Ballina player win it.” Its has become obvious over the past week that there is a lot of talented players in Ballina, who love the sport and who are dedicated to perfecting their skills

Finally Richard told the Western People that the club shouldn’t be seen as intimidating by players used to the smaller sized pool tables.

“The club is open to everyone, if players want to come and play on the pool table before going onto the snooker table that’s fine. Membership is €30 with discounted rates on the games for members. We serve tea, coffee and soft drinks and so you can rest assured there will be something for everyone.”

As the article began, it should finish with an interpreted cry of ‘game on’ coming from the Ballina-born proprietor, Richard Gorman.