Northern Ireland v England International

WEST BELFAST SOCIAL

January 27th/28th, 1996

As a result of some splendid groundwork by Derick Townend, a challenge match between England and a representative Northern Ireland team came to fruition at the West Belfast Social Club on a cold weekend in January. It is hoped that the fixture will become an annual event with the match alternating between England and Northern Ireland. Derick, having acquired a cup to be held for a year by the winners, was at a loss what to call it when his wife Peggy, administrator in chief of the ABC circuit, came up with the title of "The Friendly Cup" a name which turned out to be most appropriate.

The format provided for each of the 8 man team playing two matches against different opponents, one of 500 up and the other a best of three 150 up.

After a rousing team talk from Derick on the eve of the match and a cordial welcome from our hosts, the English party got down to some serious practice. This consisted of a visit to a local billiards club where the consumption of alcohol seemed to be much higher on the agenda than billiards... or was this a cunning trap?? Davy Pogue, the genial manager of the Irish team was ever present and ensured that a consistent flow of Guinness found its way to the ever waiting glasses of the visiting team. Token efforts at a practice did take place with Chris Shutt treating the locals to a string of century breaks made with ridiculous speed and effortless ease but would it be the same on match day? It was noticeable and not insignificant that none of our opponents joined the party, obviously preferring an early night.

Even aware of the demands that the following day would impose the bulk of the England team were safely tucked in as early as 3 or in some cases 4 a.m. and emerged bleary eyed but enthusiastic for the day's rigours. For those new to Northern Ireland, arrival at the West Belfast Club provided a stark reminder of what had gone on over the previous 25 years. The club enjoying no doubt the respite of the ceasefire, so sadly broken silence, resembled a fortress with heavy gauge iron bars protecting all access points and a cage-like entrance gangway providing protection against what one assumes must have been frequent stone throwing attacks or maybe worse. Once inside the club things couldn't have been friendlier with the warmest of welcome from our hosts which was to cease abruptly when we got down to the serious business of billiards.

The Irish team looked the part with their smart team badges displayed proudly on immaculate waistcoats and the 500 up matches kicked off with English number one Chris Shutt in action against Paddy Donnelly, nicknamed "the godfather" by the English squad either for his calculating air of dominance or vague resemblance to Marlon Brando I'm not quite sure. Shutt's incandescent form of the previous evening seemed to dissipate in the Irish mist and he struggled against the nagging consistency of Donnelly who always had his nose in front. With nothing in the match and about 30 odd needed to win by both players it took an outrageous fluke by Shutt to decide the issue by the narrow margin of 500 (60,49, 68)-477 (50, 40, 74).

On an adjacent table an altogether higher class match was unfolding between Steve Crosland and Ireland's David Elliott. Crosland was quickly into a very high gear and showed no ill effects from the night before with runs of 76, 55, 64 and 79 giving him a healthy lead. However Elliott, after an indifferent start, showed his class with runs of 56, 64, 61, 88 & 41. In the end it was Crosland who reached the line first winning 500-457 in what turned out to be the pick of the first wave of matches.

The third match saw England's Brian Harvey take on the classy John McIntyre. In the event neither player lived up to expected form and it was McIntyre who shaded things with a narrow win 500-471 including breaks of 56, 47 S. 42 against Harvey's best of 46 &, 42.

The second series of 500 up games kicked off with Billy Loughan matched against David Burgess of England. Both players were slow to start. Finding the new cloth tricky to negotiate with several screw and forcing shots throwing much wider than expected. In the end it was Loughan who found his touch the quickest and after a shaky start played solid all round billiards to run out an easy winner 500-328 including a couple of half centuries with only a disappointing best of 46 from his opponent.

The Peter Shelley Sammy Clarke affair was similarly patchy with neither player reaching anything like true form. Shelley in particular looked out of touch and was dispatched 500-280 by Clarke with both players recording just a single half century. English hopes were revived by the irrepressible Jim McCann who played solid.consistent billiards against Trevor Shields to win 500-370 both players recording a string of respectable breaks with a top effort of 77 from Shields.

Next on were two 150 up matches between England's Bill Andress and Phil Welham against Tony Buttimer and Freddy Cahoon respectively Honours were even with 2-1 wins for Andress and Cahoon in two closely contested matches. This brought the first day's proceedings to a close with the overall match score tied exactly and everything to play for on the Sunday.

With the benefit of hindsight, the events of Saturday evening with the alluring prospect of the traditional Irish "crack"to come probably took its toll on the English team. A most convivial evening was spent in the West Belfast club where liquid hospitality flowed as if on a conveyor belt seeking out empty glasses with unerring accuracy. Speeches were made, thanks recorded and mementos exchanged and then came the singing. It must be a national trait that almost every Irish person present was willing and more than able to belt out a song at the drop of a hat, the English noticeably did not reciprocate in such exalted company with the exception, I seem to remember, of Derick. The evening gradually descended into alcoholic oblivion with Messrs McCann, Burgess and Shelley being treated to the entertaining spectacle of Bill Andress being totally bemused and rendered dumbstruck by a barrage of well intentioned expletives from a gaggle of Irish lasses out on the town; never have I seen a table, already groaning under the weight of beer bottles and whiskey chasers, being replenished with such regularity or disregard for the inevitable next morning consequences!!. Peter Shelley. Jim McCann and Dave Burgess were serenaded by Rosie a softly spoken Irish lass with a fearsome looking left hook and all escaped with their honour intact. All in all a splendid evening which degenerated further at the hotel with Davy Pogue, the Irish team manager still trying to continue the binge well beyond 4 a.m.!!

Sunday dawned bright and breezy but this was not matched by colour of English eyes. The second series of 150 up games saw Steve Crosland surprisingly whitewashed 3-0 by Paddy Donnelly. David Elliot maintained the high standard he had shown in Saturday's narrow defeat by Crosland with an impressive 2-1 win over top Englishman Chris Shutt throwing in an unfinished century break for good measure. John McIntyre continued the pattern with a comfortable 3-0 win over the distinctly out of sorts Burgess. Billy Loughan continued his winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Brian Harvey and the Irish poured on the pressure with emphatic wins for Sammy Clarke and Trevor Shields over Jim McCann and Peter Shelley respectively. Sammy in particular had a fine game with breaks of 81 and 65 featuring strongly. At this point the match was effectively won and the two remaining 500 up games saw the spoils divided with wins for Tony Buttimer, whose solid billiards was augmented by some very high class potting, and Bill Andress against Phil Welham and Freddy Cahoon. Derick Townend and Davy Pogue,( how could he even stand up after Saturday night let alone play billiards!!??) brought proceedings to a fitting close in a match between the two team managers with Derick winning 400-285.

The final result was a convincing victory for Northern Ireland by 29 points to 19 and was probably less important than the fact that the momentum, now started, needs to be continued with plans put in place for the match to be played on a regular annual basis. That the Irish won so convincingly was a testimony to the fact that they are a very good team who played the most methodical and effective billiards over the two days. That the English, despite their defeat, still managed to enjoy the experience hugely is equally beyond doubt and they will certainly be fired up for next year's proposed return fixture. I'm sure I speak on behalf of all the players of both teams in thanking Davy and Derick for their efforts in getting the fixture resurrected, long may it continue.

Saturday, January 27th

Sunday, January 28th

It was a delighted N.I. team manager Davy Pogue who lifted the Friendly cup after his side's great victory over England. The match itself was a great success with the English Players, Officials, and Supporters full of praise from the N.I. Billiards Ass. on their first visit to the province.

it was a delighted Northern Ireland's Team Manager Davy Pogue who received the cup from West Belfast Chairman Charlie Brady. In the after match speeches England team boss Derick Townend thanked the Northern Ireland Ass. for all their hospitality over the weekend, and looked forward to having the Northern Ireland team over to Stoke-on-Trent next year. Davy Pogue responded for Northern Ireland, and said how much everyone had enjoyed the week-end and looked forward to next year's return.

The secret of the Northern Ireland success was probably the entertainment on the Saturday night when the taste of the black stuff was consumed with one or two bushmills. In closing he thanked the Northern Ireland referee's Ass. and The English referee's Ass. for doing all the games, and also thanked all the sponsor's in particular the main one the Irish News Paper.