Ginger Magician claims his & the tours first 2007 premier event

Paddy McLaughlin or other words known as the ginger magician emerged from the shadows of defeat on two occasions to be crowned the 2007 Ulster Open 9Ball Pool Champion defeating Richard Berrie 13-12 coming from 12-10 down in a classic final.

The four semi-finals pictured before play LtoR: Paddy Mc Laughlin,
Richard Berrie, Declan Mc Mahon and Tristan Byrne

The first premier event of the new 2007 season once again seen players travel from all over Ireland to Frames snooker & pool club in Belfast when the tournament was played in a straight knockout format with a race to 10 winner breaking which was very much enjoyed by all competitors who took part. The tournament also seen for the first time in the four year history £500 added to the event giving all players involved a opportunity to win a slice of more prize-money which was on offer…

The Co. Down player showed his class once again coming through a strong quality field of players starting it all off in the last-64 before coming champion defeating Alan Crowe (Donegal, last-64, 10-1), Stephen Johnson (Antrim, last-32, 10-3), Manny Byrne (Down, last-16, 10-5), Declan Hughes (Armagh, ¼-finals, 10-9), Tristan Byrne (Down, semi-finals, 11-4) and then got over the line 13-12 which was probably the best final ever in the history of Ireland’s American 8 & 9 Ball Pool Tour.

 

The two players who contested the final Richard Berrie (Meath)
and Paddy Mc Laughlin (Down)

Yes!!! Paddy Mc Laughlin faced defeat on two occasions with the first coming in the ¼-finals when former professional snooker player Declan Hughes put in a awesome performance to be defeated 10-9, but had a lot of chances on a number of occasions to close out the match when leading 9-8 but missed a fairly easy 9ball only to let Paddy in to clear up and clinch the next rack.

The second scare for Paddy came in the final against the fast improving Richard Berrie when the ginger magician was 12-10 down but got the match back to 12-12 before Richard almost secured victory with a four - nine combination in the decider only to see the cue-ball travel the full length of the table to go in off letting Paddy in as all great champions do by closing out the game showing all his experiences to be crowned the 2007 Ulster Open 9Ball Pool Champion….

 

Paddy Mc Laughlin 2007 Ulster Open 9Ball Pool Champion