Tipperary snooker club in the frame as world's top player to play exhibition matches

Former World Snooker champion Shaun Murphy is coming to Nenagh later this month to take part in a novel evening of snooker and entertainment at New Institute Snooker Club.

The 2005 world champion and three-time finalist as recently as 2021, Shaun Murphy is known as the “magician” because of his incredible shot-making abilities, will be coming to the New Institute Club on Wednesday, 22nd November.

Hailing from England but as the name Shaun Murphy suggests, has Irish relatives, and currently resides and practices in Dublin between tournaments. He is one of the most outspoken players on the professional tour with a famous rivalry with Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The world number 7 recently announced that Ireland was a mecca for snooker and that world snooker should reintroduce a proper ranking tournament here. Who is to disagree as snooker seems to be gaining ground again in popularity. The Irish Masters that was held in Goffs in Kildare for many years was considered by many as having the best atmosphere for playing the game. Also, with the great success of the Northern Ireland Open over the last few years, the pressure is building for a new tournament down South.

At the exhibition, Shaun will be taking on ten local players in a frame of snooker on the night, including fellow club members Brendan O’Donoghue (current Irish senior champion) Mark Gleeson (intermediate no. 1) and his brother Noel (current under 21 no. 1) in what promises to be a great night’s entertainment, including some music from Shaun and RTE’s Aonghus McAnally in Andy Flynn’s Gastropub after the event.

Aengus McAnally is a well-known tv and radio personality, who has devoted his time to snooker and billiards in Ireland over the last few years and is a prominent member of the governing board of Irish snooker and billiards.

His father Ray McAnally, was a well-known famous actor who gave Aonghus his love of billiards from a young age, has played competitively for many years and has also represented Ireland on many occasions both as a player and a member of the European Billiards Association. His hosting skills will be on display on what promises to be a very entertaining night at the club.

Standard (€25) and VIP (€50) tickets are available at A Sportsman’s Dream 067-32205 or contact Tony 087-9604696.