Swanky – 2017 Pool Final – Paddy Moriarty Vs Neilus Flynn
So as 2018 begins and the memories of Christmas and New Year 2017 begin to fade as the majority of people begin to normal life. I wanted to put together a few words or the Pool Final that took place last Saturday night where Paddy Moriarty took on Neilus Flynn for the right to be called the 2017 Swanky Pool Champion and also take home a share of the €1000 prize money that was on offer.
Cillian Langan took on Brendan Cregan for 3rd place with both men putting in a good display of tactical Pool play where Cillian took a 1-0 lead before Brendan found a way back to level it up a 1 frame each before Cillian went on to take the game of 3 frames 2-1.
It was then on to the main event where two veterans of this now long running Tournament took centre stage. After an extremely cagey opening where both men tried to go pot for pot, it was Neilus Flynn who stole into a 2-0 lead.
Neilus is a man who plays an extremely meticulous game some may even say it is it is frustrating to watch and having spoken to a few people that have played Neilus previously in past Tournaments and all told me that he is an extremely hard opponent to play and to figure out.
He plays every shot over in his mind several times before he takes a shot and this can unnerve even the strongest opponent. The man he faced on Saturday night is Paddy Moriarty, a man of many talents. He looks after one of the local GAA underage teams and is loved by his players, the players parents and his family and many friends.
It was fair to say he had huge support on Saturday evening and this support was crucial in helping Paddy taking the crucial third frame where had Neilus won that 3rd frame , it would have been very difficult for Paddy to make a meaningful comeback but roared on by a vocal crowd Paddy found a way back and came roaring back into to the game to then go from 2-1 down to 3-2 up and although Neilus won another frame Paddy took over and kept his cool to win the game 5-3.
There was a great crowd at this game and all over Christmas and the New Year Tarbert has been a hive of activity. Culminating in the usual high jinks on New Year’s Eve that yet again drew a large crowd to the Square in Tarbert. The beating out of the Old Year and welcoming of the New Year took place topped off by the return of a small firework display after it was suspended for 2016.
From this author all the very best to you and yours in 2018 and beyond….
By
Cian Mc Gibney
02/01/2018