St. Michael’s stun favourites in final

St. Michael’s stun favourites in final

20 March 2013 - by BY TOM HOGAN

DESPITE conceding 50 points for winning the Brannigan Cup earlier in the season, Drumaness A would still have started favourites for the Downpatrick and District Snooker League's prestigious Dano Fitzpatrick Memorial Cup.

However, it took a power-packed finish from St. Michael’s C captain Gareth McKeever to win the trophy.

Matt Fegan got the final underway when he faced the dangerous darling of Loughinisland, Darren Dornan, while on the other table Raymond McAllister was up against Paul Megahey. Dornan was conceding 56 points to Fegan and McAllister was giving away a massive 63 points to Megahey.

Dornan’s safety in the earlier part of the frame was of the highest McAllister was clearly struggling to find his usual free flowing rhythm and this allowed Megahey to stay well in front.

But the experienced duo of Dornan and McAllister were able to come through and put themselves in with a chance, Dornan eventually losing the frame by 14 and McAllister by seven.

But, as the saying goes, form is temporary and class is permanent. McAllister started his second frame with breaks of 24 and 49, while Dornan put together a superb 76. This seemed to turn the tide round to Drumaness A’s favour. McAllister held on to defeat Megahey by five overall and Dornan won the frame by 34 and the match by 20.

St. Michael’s C were 25 points in front with Peter Gray to play St. Michael’s C captain Gareth McKeever. Despite conceding 56 points in each frame most of the supporters in the packed St. Michael’s clubrooms would have fancied Gray to pull his side through.

Gray started in confident mood with an early 14 break, but McKeever responded with a useful 16 break to extend his advantage to over 60. Gray, with breaks of 25 and 18, went on to take the frame by seven to leave St. Michael’s C 18 in front.

Gray seemed to be be getting on top with some scintillating safety play and a 25 break put him only 23 behind and 41 overall. A further 16 break put him just seven behind and when he added another 15 break it looked ominous for St. Michael’s C.

Going to the colours McKeever led by six and the tensions were beginning to show on both players. But to the delight of his supporters McKeever potted yellow, green and brown to put St. Michael’s C ten in front. He then held his nerve to pot a superb blue and the confidence could be seen on his face as he cooly potted the pink to life the trophy for St. Michael’s C.

League chairman Seamus McGivern presented the trophy to St. Michael’s C captain Gareth McKeever and commiserated with his own club on losing a close final. He also congratulated Gerald Travers on having the tables in immaculate condition.

• During the second frame in his match with Raymond McAllister, Megahey called a foul on himself whilst in prime position. It goes to show the sportsmanship in this league, despite the importance of a cup final.