What a boost for Larne Pool as 18 year old Ryan Marcus has been crowned 2021-2022 Northern Ireland Men's Individual Champion. Hard to put it into words the journey Ryan has been on. From entering an NIPA Under 15 Trials event in the Q.Club, Larne at the tender age of 13, he has risen to take the biggest National title available in the space of only 5 years.
Ryan who plays for St Comgall's in our local League showed maturity beyond his years with some outstanding Pool over the two day event in Antrim Sports Club on 13th & 14th November. Amongst his very noteable wins was a 6-4 success over 2019 & 2020 Northern Ireland Amateur Snooker Champion Declan Lavery when he came back from 2-4 down with four consecutive dishes for a 6-4 success. In the Semi Final he announced his arrival on the big stage by defeating one of the top players in the world Declan Brennan in a nail biting 7-6 epic match. Ryan then kept his focus and belief in the Final, ousting the much more experienced Paddy Clarke from Newry by 8-4 with a superb last red to black to bring the trophy back to Larne.
In the photos - Ryan receives his Winners trophy from NIPA Secretary Gillian Rolston and is then pictured celebrating his win with friends. In the bottom photo Ryan (3rd from right) pictured at his first NIPA event in 2015 in the Q.Club. Many hours of practice in the Q.Club followed as he improved to where he is now. Not to mention winning the Under 23 Nations Cup of Pool Individual title in Cyprus in 2019 when aged only 16.
