The N.I. Billiards season gets under way in late September with the first ranking tournament of the season, the Bangor Reading Rooms Billiards Classic, sponsored by P.T.S. Amusements and the Reading Rooms Club. In October, the N. Ireland International team travel to Dublin to take on the Republic in their annual International fixture, on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October. Following the Bangor tournament, the calendar of events is as follows: Windsor Billiards Classic sponsored by The Windsor Club (November & December) The West Belfast Classic (January) whilst on the International front: Northern Ireland plays England at Stoke-on-Trent
The next ranking event is the Premier Billiards Classic, sponsored by Snooker Ireland and Savoury Foods. The Strikers Billiards Classic is next, sponsored by the home dub. In April, the last of the ranking events takes place, the Northern Ireland Billiards Championship sponsored by the West Belfast Social Club. Last but by no means least is the Billy Mills Memorial "B" Championship, played for in memory of Billy who died suddenly last year.
All the billiards fraternity in N. Ireland and I'm sure in England wish two of our most senior internationalists a speedy recovery following their recent illness, John McIntyre (Chairman of the Association) and Billy Loughan (Committee member) are both on the mend and all our thoughts are with them and their families, at this worrying time. Get well soon lads.
Paddy Donnelly, the All-Ireland title holder, will defend his crown on Saturday 24th August at the Q Club Newry when he will take on the champion from the Republic in a 600 game.
Good luck to Paddy from the N.I. Association.