It has been a great start to 2010 for the Westmeath Pool Association. On the weekend of January 15 at the Irish Pool Cup tournament in Kilkenny, Robert Malynn made it all the way to final.
Robert has so far made it through six rounds with scores of 6-2, 6-2, 7-2, 7-4, 8-7, and 8-7 with the final yet to be played. Robert beat fellow Westmeath player Kenneth Farrelly of Castlepollard in the semi-final. Robert was up against it for most of the semi-final match with a slow start leaving him 4-0 down, he got back into it a bit with the next four frames being shared. At 6-2 down, Robert won the next two with some fine finishing but lost the next. Robert had the break at 7-4 with it being first to eight; nothing was potted on the break shot leaving a nicely set table for Ken to clear up. However having potted all of his own colours, he failed to pot a straightforward black. That miss seemed to give Robert that added bit confidence he needed to get back into the match winning that frame and the next two. It was down to a deciding frame with the guarantee that a Westmeath Pool Association player would be in the final for the first time ever. The final frame was scrappy to say the least with a hit and miss with every other shot, the pressure getting the better of both players. With just a ball or two left for each player, Ken got in and was in a nice position with just one colour left. Ken played a great shot to hit the black but left the shots on for Robert to wrap it up for an 8-7 win. Robert hadn’t got past the last 32 stage before this, so it’s a great achievement for the Ballymore man. The final will be held at the next Irish Pool Event in the Castle Arch Hotel, Trim on Saturday, March 6.
The final can be viewed live on www.irelandsports.tv
