The Republic of Ireland Billiards & Snooker Association held a training camp weekend with leading professional player Fergal O Brien and World Snooker Coach PJ Nolan in the Ivy Rooms Snooker Club in Carlow to prepare the players for the 2012 Home Internationals.
The Home Internationals are being held in Pontins North Wales from the 7th – 14th of September and will feature the best players from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, France and the Isle of Man in Senior, Masters, Under 19 and Under 16 levels. A Billiards championship is also being held.
The senior team consists of Brendan O’Donoghue, Rodney Goggins, Greg Casey, Robert Redmond and SHQ regular Johnny Williams.
The under-19s boast a similarly formidable line-up with Ryan Cronin, David Cassidy and Josh Boileau in the five-strong team.
The players who attended the training day from 11am – 5pm were coached and videoed by PJ and they went home with a DVD of their playing technique to study plus a training program to practice until the leave for Wales.
Fergal played practice frames against all the players and discussed tactics and safety shots which will help them in the Home Internationals.
All the players were delighted with the quality of coaching and sparring matches and O’Donoghue said “It was a superb day where I picked up a lot of great tips from Fergal and yet another solid practice session with PJ.”
Goggins also stated that “It was great to watch all the players listen and train hard throughout the day which bodes well for our chances in the upcoming tournament.”
Jim Leacy, the Chairman of the Irish Association said “ He was delighted with the day and it is great for the association to work with the likes of Fergal to bring a level of professionalism to the training camp.
Further details of the Home Internationals will be provided here as and when results come through during the event.
