Merrigan caps brilliant season by leading Ireland to Celtic Challenge crown

CLONDALKIN man, Stephen Merrigan has enjoyed a season to remember in domestic and international snooker.

Only last Saturday, the Roadstone club player captained Ireland to the Celtic Challenge Trophy following their victory over Wales at the new Snooker and Billiards Ireland (SBI) Academy and Centre of Excellence in Carlow.

The tournament which involved 16 players between the two squads, ran over six sessions, with Ireland emerging winners on a convincing 69-27 scoreline.

Merrigan himself enjoyed a great outing, remaining unbeaten throughout all of his six matches which saw him open with a 1-1 draw against Welsh top seed, Keith Thomas.

After that he continued on win three more matches and draw another two as Ireland stormed to victory among the impressive new SBI surrounds.

“Snooker is still very big in Wales and they were very impressed with the facilities that we had in Carlow and how the tournament was run” Merrigan told The Echo.

“It was a great event and there was just great comradery amongst the team” he added.

Success in the Celtic Challenge followed hot on the heels of some great exploits by Merrigan on the club front this season.

Having seen his Roadstone team land the DBSL Premier League crown, he also secured his first Irish individual title when he won the National O55 Super Senior trophy.

That campaign was ignited with a 3-0 triumph over Tony Thorpe before he edged out Brendan Thomas 3-2 in a thrilling quarter final.

The next two matches en route to the title would prove equally tight as he beat Ernie McMullen in the last four to set up a decider against long-time former professional, Tommy Murphy, who was also part of the Celtic Challenge winning Irish squad last weekend.

Again Merrigan was taken the distance in by the Citywest man, eventually taking the final 3-2.

“I’ve been 55 years waiting to win a national trophy and I’m delighted to have finally achieved it” he smiled