A NORTHSIDE man was celebrating after being part of the Republic of Ireland team that won the 2016 Blackball International World Pool Championship in Killarney.
Brendan Hinchy, who plays for Parnell’s GAA Pool team, in Coolock, in the Premier Division of the Super League and the Tuborg Northside Pool Leagues, was on the Irish team that also included Dave Costello, Martin Rockwell, Martin Keenan, Dave Martyn, Jim McCabe and Joe Morris.
Managed by Anthony Saul, the Republic of Ireland won gold in the Masters Team event, defeating defending champions England 13-6 in the final.
The hosts had come through a round robin stage, play-off with Scotland and a semi-final victory over Northern Ireland.
Brendan, who took up pool in 2007, has accumulated a number of successes on the international front.
In 2011 he won the Senior B European Championships, and was runner-up in the Senior A European Championships.
In 2012 he won a bronze medal in the World Championships Senior A doubles and this year has become the 2016 World Masters Champion.
In Killarney, the Irish team also won gold in the Wheelchair Singles and Wheelchair Doubles; a silver medal in the Ladies’ Singles and Wheelchair Doubles; and bronze in the Under 15 Team event and Wheelchair Doubles.
As well as the Republic of Ireland, teams also took part from Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, South Africa, Australia, Gibraltar, Holland, Norway, Uganda, Morocco, Russia, Malta, Cyprus and Catalonia.
Not all teams participated in each of the competitions. The competitions were for Men, Ladies, Senior (Over 40s), Masters (Over 50s), Under 23, Under 18, Under 15, Special Needs, Wheelchair Singles and singles and doubles. Approximately 800 players were involved in the event.
Meanwhile, the newly crowned champions are hoping to represent the Republic of Ireland at the next European Championships in Bridlington, England, in April 2017 and in the Nations Cup in Malta. Judging by the form they showed at the World Championship in Killarney there is a very good chance many more titles will be heading their way.