Longford snooker star Joe Shannon completes a terrific All-Ireland U-14 and U-16 double

Joe Shannon from Kilmore Lower in Newtownforbes, a 13-year-old first year student in St Mel’s College, brought his snooker season to the perfect end by winning two All-Ireland National Championships in the under 14 and under 16 age group at the Irish Snooker and Billiards Centre of Excellence in Carlow at the weekend.

Joe’s first final was the under 16s. He played some fantastic tactical snooker and won the All Ireland Under 16 title without dropping a frame. Not getting much time to celebrate his victory, Joe played his second final of the day in the under 14 National final. Herepeated what he accomplished earlier on in the day, not dropping a frame to claim the 2024 All Ireland under 14 National Championship title.

The icing on the cake was Joe winning the highest break in both competitions. He has enjoyed a really successful snooker season winning all under 14 ranking events as well as the national championship and winning four out of six under 16 ranking events as well as claiming the overall under 16 National championship title.

Joe has worked really hard all season with his training and under the guidance of snooker supremo Fergal O’Brien has really dedicated his time to improving in the sport and has duly got his rewards.

Joe again qualified to represent Ireland in the European snooker championships in Sarajevo earlier this year. This was Shannon’s second time in two years to represent Ireland at the under 16 & under 18 age groups. Joe is climbing the snooker ladder all the time getting into the last 16 of the under 16 and narrowly missing out at under 18 level. 

Joe has two more international competitions this year, the Celtic challenge in Wales and the home internationals in Leeds, Joe will captain both under 16 Irish teams in these events and has two years previous experience at these competitions despite only being thirteen years of age.

Joe’s end of season rankings: 

Under 14 ranked number 1 

Under 16 ranked number 1

Under 18 ranked number 2

Competition Results

Under 14 ranking event 1 winner

Under 14 ranking event 2 winner

Under 14 ranking event 3 winner

Under 14 ranking event 4 winner

Under 14 ranking National championship winner

Under 16 Rodney Goggins Cup winner

Under 16 Fergal O’Brien Cup winner

Under 16 Irish Masters Champion

Under 16 ranking National championship winner

Under 18 ranking event 1 winner