Victory for All Stars in Martin Cup final

Victory for All Stars in Martin Cup final

14 February 2024

DRUMANESS All Stars have won the Martin Cup in what turned out to be an epic final against Drumaness Fifths which was fought down to the last three balls in the last frame. 

Drumnaess Fifths, on their second cup final defeat of the season, came so close but the more experienced All Stars managed to get over the line with Mark Boyd fluking the final blue into the middle pocket for victory.

Eamon Ferris was up first against Ethan Hanna. 

Ethan, who was receiving a massive 77 points on handicap, was quickly clawed back as Ferris knocked in a 69 break from Hanna’s break off. Despite this great start from Ferris, the Fifths man dug deep and managed to win the frame 114-99 points to give the Fifths a slight edge. 

Frame two saw Darren Oldroyd from the All Stars take on Conor Doran. Doran, with a 63 point handicap, managed to hold his handicap as the balls ran awkward and managed to secure the frame 93-64 to further put the Fifths in control. 

In the next frame Mark Boyd, giving away 49 points to Jay Edmonds, played a solid frame and won it 89-61 to close the points gap in the overall scoreline. 

Frame four was a tense affair but Darren Oldroyd used all his table craft to defeat Ethan Hanna 120-95. 

Despite Darren conceding 70 points on handicap, this proved to be the turning point in the match to keep the All Stars in with a shout of winning. Eamon Ferris continued his great form in the next frame against Jay Edmonds. 

Jay, receiving 56 points on handicap, was quickly overcome as Ferris compiled breaks of 24, 53 and 33 to win the frame 127-65.

The balance going into the last and deciding frame of the night was that the All Stars were 11 points ahead with Mark Boyd to play Conor Doran.

Conor was getting 63 points on handicap and if he had of taken the chances he was offered the outcome of the match could have been different but Boyd clawed away at the handicap and finally fluked the match winning blue for the cup.

Many thanks to Drumaness Snooker Club for once again hosting a great final and to all those in attendance to make the night a great night of snooker.

Congratulations to the All Stars for winning such an epic match. The Fifths look to be a young team growing in confidence and will no doubt feature in many more finals to come.