Magorrian Cup win seals cup glory

5 March 2025

BALLYKINLAR and Drumaness Potters contested for honours in the final of the Dano Fitzpatrick Memorial Cup in Newcastle Snooker Club last week.

Des Smyth was up first for Ballykinlar, aiming for a strong start against Drumaness’ Colin Patterson.

Smyth came flying out of the blocks, developing a lead with a break of 23, and despite Patterson securing the blue to black and reducing the deficit to 68-50, the Ballykinlar man took the frame.

Patterson started better in the second frame and with some good potting, he claimed a 69-43 win to give Drumaness an overall lead of eight points.

In a remarkable turn of events, Philip Codd and Mark Magoran battled through both frames in the second match.

Codd had the edge in the first frame, securing the win by 30 points, but Magoran bounced back to take the second with a scoreline of 80-32.

This set the scene for the final game between Gareth Magorrian and Jay Edmonds, with the scores locked at 247 points apiece and all to play for.

Magorrian was conceding 28 points on the handicap and

tried to pull the points back, but Edmonds played some determined snooker and secured the frame by a margin of 75-52.

Going into the last frame, the Potters found themselves on the verge of glory, carrying a 51-point lead.

However, as the frame unfolded and tensions began to mount, Magorrian gradually reduced the deficit.

Edmonds need just one ball from the final colours, while Magorrian had absolutely no room for error.

The Potters’ player missed a few chances, allowing Magorrian to pot the yellow to blue and set up a grandstand finish.

Edmonds’ attempt at a safety shot left the pink at long range and the cue ball deep in the baulk area.

Magorrian, with the chance to place one hand on the cup, got down, slotted the pink into the corner pocket and watched as the cue ball came back to rest perfectly on the black.

After a moment of composure, he rolled the black home and ensured the silverware went back to Ballykinlar.

Thanks go to St Mary’s snooker club for hosting the match, and to all of those in attendance.

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