Top Wheelchair Pool players gather in Leitrim for first Champion Cup tournament

A successful and first-of-its-kind event took place in Drumshanbo at the weekend with the inaugural Wheelchair Champion Cup pool competition.

The event, sponsored by Leitrim Sports Partnership, took place on Saturday, March 7, and featured some of Ireland’s best wheelchair pool players.

Longford man Andy Smith organised the event, describing it as a great tournament, with the main and most exciting part of the day being the final.

The tournament started at 12pm and by 4:30pm it was down to the last four. The final then saw Liam Casey from Ennis, Co Clare, face Liam Daly from Dublin, refereed by Liam Shanley from the Leitrim Pool Association.

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“It was a great final won by Liam Casey of Ennis with a score of five frames to two,” said Andy.

Winner Liam Casey with Andy Smith and Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council Cllr Paddy Farrell.

Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council Paddy Farrell also attended the tournament, where a presentation was made that evening. Spot prizes were awarded on the day, sponsored by The Shed Distillery and the Landmark Hotel.

With the goal of making this an annual event, Andy explained that it may change locations in future, being hosted in honour of the world champion player for that year at a venue of their choice.

Saturday’s event was held at the Leitrim Pool Association Pool Hall, as it is the home club of the current world wheelchair pool champion, Eddie McGowan.

“It was a great tournament and definitely one we will be having again,” added Andy, noting that for now there are more competitions to prepare for.

“The next major step will be the All-Ireland tournament in the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney on the 23rd and 24th of May,” explained Andy.

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There are also regular monthly tournaments to prepare for, as well as the European tournament and the World Championship, which is being held in Marrakech.

The event in Drumshanbo was organised, in Andy’s words, in “attempting to lift the profile” of wheelchair pool and encourage more people to get involved in the sport. Following the success of the inaugural competition, there is now strong determination to see it continue and grow in the years ahead.

Finalist Liam Daly with Andy Smith and Cathaoirleach Cllr Paddy Farrell.