Talented Longford snooker player Joe Shannon wins back-to-back national titles

Longford's Joe Shannon has won back-to-back national snooker events in recent weeks and is the current number 1 seed in the Irish Under 14 and 16 rankings.

The 2023/24 Irish snooker season has proven to be another successful season for 13 year old Joe Shannon.

On Saturday,  February 17, Joe came out victorious in two national finals held on the same day in the Snooker Centre of Excellence in Carlow.

In the first event of the day, Joe competed in the national Under 16 event, playing against players from Dublin, Cork, Laois, Newbridge, Kerry and Galway. In the final Joe beat Max Kennedy from Galway 3 frames to nil to claim the under-16 Fergal O'Brien Cup. Joe played three excellent frames of snooker in the final to claim the title and became the first ever winner of the Fergal O’Brien Cup.

Following on from his success earlier in the day Joe went on to win his fourth under 14 national title of this season. In the tournament, Joe played some top-class snooker to reach the final against James Stewart-O'Reilly from Dublin. In the final, Shannon came out on top, beating James Stewart-O'Reilly three frames to nil. In the third frame, Joe made a high break of 67 to claim his second title of the day in style.

Joe is currently being coached by Irish snooker professional Feral O’Brien. Under the excellent coaching and guidance of Fergal O’Brien, Joe who is only 13 years old is currently ranked No.1 in Ireland at under 14, under 16 and under 18 levels and has won 7 national titles so far this season.

Shannon will wear the green waistcoat for team Ireland again this year and will captain the Irish team in the Celtic Challenge in Wales in the Summer.

Caption: Joe Shannon is presented with the U14 National event 4 trophy by Irish coach PJ Nolan