Aaron Hill captured his second senior ranking event title of the season with victory over Greg Casey in the Irish Grand Prix in Potters SC on Sunday.
The all-Cork final proved to be a one-sided affair as Hill dominated the more experienced Casey, winning all four frames.
It extends a remarkable run of form for the teenager, who triumphed in the recent European Under-18 Championship in Israel.
Last October, Hill announced himself as a possible real deal when he collected his maiden piece of silverware at senior level with success in the Hickson’s Centra Open.
The young cueist, who is currently at the forefront of an explosion of talent from County Cork, counted Philip Browne and reigning Irish national champion Michael Judge among his victims in the earlier rounds.
Hill will surely now represent one of the favourites for this year’s National Championship, which will take place across April and May.
The prestigious end-of-season tournament has been dominated by the seasoned campaigners in the last few years so it would be refreshing to see a new face like Hill challenge for the top honour.
For Casey, it was disappointment at the last hurdle of a ranking event for the third time in his career.
The international stalwart recorded impressive victories over Ryan Cronin and Josh Boileau, but ultimately was no match for Hill in the title decider.
A disappointing total of just 34 players participated in the Irish Grand Prix.
