Longford snooker star Joe Shannon in action for Ireland U-16 team in the Celtic Challenge
Wales the opposition in the tournament at the SBI Academy in Carlow next Saturday
Longford's Joe Shannon will play in the Irish Under 16 team in the Celtic Challenge next Saturday 5th July at the SBI Academy, Carlow against Wales.
Shannon has enjoyed a good season finishing 5th in the National Under 16 Series, 3rd in the Under 18 Series and 12th in the Under 21 Series.
The Longford teenager was runner up to St John’s, Limerick youngster, Jack O'Brien in the National Under 18 Championship last month, losing 3-1.
A former National Under 14 and 16 Champion. Joe has won an array of junior titles the last couple of years guided by the tutelage of former British Open winner, Dublin's Fergal O'Brien.
Another great landmark for him, was that he played in the Snooker Shoot Out held in Leicester only narrowly losing out to Robert Milkins in the first round last December.
All this adds to experience and heightens a young person's game when they come back to the domestic front.
A dedicated and heavy practiser who plays most days, Shannon will be keen to avenge last year's defeat to the Welsh, with the Irish youngsters losing 97-47 held in Terry Griffiths Matchroom, Llanelli, Wales.
The Celtic Challenge competition was inaugurated in February 1998 when the Irish team was victorious with a scoreline of 37-35.
The tournament will consist of four under 14's on a team and four under16's on a team against their Welsh counterparts. They will play three frames each in each session with four sessions. The first team to reach 49 frames, with 96 frames getting played throughout the day.
It promises to be a feast of junior snooker. All are welcome and admission is free.
This will be great practice for the Longford youngster as he goes to Leeds in August for the Home Internationals, as he represents and captains the Republic of Ireland in the under 16 team. A great summer for Joe Shannon to look forward to.