Snooker: Joe stifles Gervins top table ambitions

Joe Loughran  INTT1311-139JS
Joe Loughran INTT1311-139JS

With Pot Black out of action, leadership of the Division Table was up for grabs in the East Tyrone Snooker League as the championship heads towards the home straight.

Max Keady A took full advantage of the Cookstown team’s bye week to leapfrog to the head of affairs with a whitewash win over visiting McKees A, but Gervins A stumbled as they tried to make it to the head of affairs, despite a commendable 3-1 win away to Mitchells A.

And the Coalisland men were under the cosh from the start as rejuvenated Joe Loughran gave the Cookstown team a terrific start, defeating Darren Gribben 54-31 and 63-60, that lead immediately wiped out by a win on the adjacent table for Seamus Nixon who fired breaks of 44 and 31 to outpoint John Currie.

Anthony McGuckin had the Coalisland men in front as he dismissed the threat from Seamus Mitchell, taking a close opener before a 38 break sealed the deal in straight frames.

Ciaran Kelly was on course to achieve a similar victory against Feargal Keenan, only to be foiled when the cueball found a pocket to see the Kildress level it with a win on the black, Kelly retaining his composure to put the disappointment behind him and win the decider 65-33.

There’s no change at the top of Division Two as McVeighs A secured a commendable 3-1 result away to Gervins B, despite a rude awakening for club boss Danny McVeigh as he went under in convincing fashion 2-0 to schoolboy Daniel Nixon in the opening tie.

It’s as you were in Division Three, both matches ending 2-2, McKees C well on their way to a sussessful title defence.