Snooker: Terry Parker takes Mullingar Open title

Mullingar Open Snooker Championship final

Ger O’Connor reports

St Mary’s Snooker Club and the Mullingar Open Snooker Championship is delighted to welcome back our long time sponsors Cleaning Contractors Ltd, Dundrum, Dublin.

The Mullingar Open Snooker Championship is the most difficult snooker event in County Westmeath and to be in partnership with our sponsors enhances this event. Mick Kane represents the sponsors and he is chairman of St Mary’s Snooker Club, Mullingar, the vnue for this and all the Westmeath ranking snooker tournaments. The club is affiliated to Snooker Billiards Ireland (SBI), the governing body for our sport in Ireland.

The final of the 2022 Mullingar Open Snooker Championship took place last Sunday between two of the county’s best exponents of the game, Richie Toal and Terry Parker. Toal has won this event six times, while Parker has three titles to his name.

The tournament has been played over the last fortnight, with the later stages of the event this past week. The knockouts were held this week and the running of this event has been orchestrated by our chairman Mick Kane, supported by Ger O’Connor (Honorary Secretary) and Pat Donohoe (Treasurer).

As the matches were played, the two finalists seemed to get stronger and stronger.

Mick Kane got the final – best of 11 frames – underway, with Richie Toal (no. 1 seed) taking on Terry Parker (no. 15 seed). Richie was the tournament favourite before the draw had taken place, but Parker was hungry for a win.

Frame 1

The first frame saw both players getting used to the atmosphere of a ranking final, the first really tough event since COVID. Parker broke off and after some good safety Richie Toal managed to pick of a nice 32 break and led 47-15. Parker got one chance and knocked in a superb 41 clearance to beat Richie on the black.

Frame 2

Richie turn to break off and both players were level pegging for most of the frame. Then Richie got an opportunity and slotted in a 30 break to grab the second frame and regain some composure after the shock from frame one.

Frame 3

This frame was a godsend for Terry Parker and he regained control of his game, taking on a good few long pots which were hitting the back of the pocket. This proved a great feeling for Parker as he won the frame 68-46, but a fluke on the pink ball helped him on his way.

Frame 4

Parker showed his class as he was on a roll and won the fourth frame 64-39, leading 3-1 in the match. Richie had to pot the colours to win the frame and he rolled the green into the yellow pocket past the brown. As the green was rolling slow it seemed to go over a finger mark and roll to the left into the angle, and Parker pounced.

Frame 5

Richie Toal was looking not getting the run of the ball in this match so far and Parker looked like the stronger player and ran out a winner by an 80-30 scoreline.

Frame 6

Terry Parker was starting to gain the upper hand and with the help of a good 35 break he looked like he was going to take another frame. But Toal managed to turn it around and won the frame 63-44.

Frame 7

Richie showed some of his brilliance and looked like he was going to regain a hold in the match with a great frame to win 59-27.

Frame 8

Terry Parker won the eighth frame 70-37 and was stopping the Toal charge.

Frame 9

Toal took this frame with a solid display and a winning score of 69-43 to trail 5-4 in frames in the race to the magic six frames to the title.

Frame 10

Boy, what a frame – Toal came back with a bang. This proved to be another wonderful frame, like the first one. Terry slotted in a nice 37 break but Toal levelled the match with a 49 to make it frames all.

Frame 11

I have to say in all the years I have played or witnessed snooker events, this was one of the best snooker finals in years. There weren’t too many high breaks, but the tension was amazing.

This, the final frame showed what pressure can do to even these players, who have both made centuries down the years. But there was one red hanging over the centre pocket and both players missed real easy reds, then the yellow.

Eventually, Parker got a chance and took a deep breath and composed himself to pot green to black. He let a roar as he managed to beat the red hot favourite Richie Toal.

Frame scores

Parker 56-47 Toal; Parker 31-70 Toal; Parker 68-46 Toal; Parker 64-39 Toal; Parker 80-30 Toal; Parker 44-63 Toal; Parker 27-59 Toal; Parker 70-37 Toal; Parker 43-69 Toal; Parker 58-70 Toal; Parker 58-39 Toal.

Tournament results

Champion: Terry Parker

Finalist: Richie Toal

Semi-Finalists: Ger O’Connor and Pat Donohoe

Quarter-Finalists: Stephen von Beaumont, Anthony Cleary, Niall Heffernan, Oliver Plunkett.

Highest Break: Niall Heffernan (68).

Presentation

Our club chairman presented the Shane O’Connor Sponsored Cup for the Mullingar Open to Terry Parker and a voucher to finalist Richie Toal. Mick thanked our loyal sponsors Contract Cleaners, Dundrum, Dublin for their years of support for our premier event. Sponsors are the lifeline to clubs like ours.

Message of support

The officers, committee and members of St Mary’s Snooker Club want to wish our Chairman Mick Kane a speedy recovery from his recent operation. We can’t wait to have him back leading the club for years to come.