To win a title with Ireland at any level is a great achievement, but to sink the black ball that won the frame that clinched a European title for Ireland is a magnificent honour, and that is what young Michael Scally from Mullingar achieved when Ireland clinched the European Junior Pool title in Malta at the end of February.
Michael, who is just 16 years of age and a student at St Finian’s College, Mullingar, is a tremendous prospect in the game of pool.
His exceptional talents saw him selected once again for the Irish pool team that travelled to Malta to begin their European Finals campaign on Saturday, 14th of February.
To prove just how good Michael is, the six man team consisted of five players from Wexford, a hotbed of pool, – Jordan Doyle (captain), Jordan Synott, Ben Doyle, Adam Maher, Barry Synott and just one player from outside Wexford – Michael Scally from Westmeath.
On arriving in Malta, Ireland were quickly into action the next morning where they played England, losing the first match 15-10. But Michael’s team bounced back to beat Ireland ‘B’ 16-9, Scotland 17-8, France 21-4 and hosts Malta 15-10 to eventually top the group.
This put Ireland into the semi-finals where they faced Ireland ‘B’, a match Michael’s team won 8-7. “That game was streamed ‘live’ and we were lucky to win that match to be honest,” said Michael.
TENSE FINAL
Then on Friday, 20 February it was down to the European Junior Final, where Ireland faced their old enemy England.
“England were World and European Champions and we had lost last year to them. But we were really determined to win. The Wexford guys had lost a very good friend of theirs prior to the tournament when pool player Brendan Walsh, who would have been on the team, died a few months ago, so we were all determined to win it for him. We had his waistcoat with us and it was a great inspiration to us. England are very good so we knew it would be a tough final. It was a very close final and the atmosphere was very tense. The senior Men’s ‘B’ final had just finished on the table beside us (a competition Ireland also won with Collinstown man David Burns representing Meath on the Irish team) so everyone was looking at our final.
We went 3-2 up then 3-5 down. Then Ben won his game to make it 4-5 and Adam won his to make it 5-5. Jordan Synott cleared from the break to put us 6-5 up and Jordan Doyle won to make it 7-5. Then it was my turn with a chance to win the match outright,” said Michael. “I was so nervous but I got off to a good start and I went on to clear from the break. I sank the final ball and the lads just jumped on top of me in celebration. It was a great feeling and a dream come true,” said young Scally. After the celebrations the players received the European trophy and a crystal trophy each.
VITAL SPONSORSHIP
However, that is just half the story. Michael almost didn’t make it to Malta. To travel to Malta to play with Ireland, Michael had to raise his own sponsorship of just over €1,000. Without a main sponsor Michael searched all over Mullingar for sponsorship, otherwise he would have been unable to travel with the team and fulfil his dream.
“If I hadn’t got sponsorship I wouldn’t have been able to play so I have to thank everyone that sponsored me and I am very grateful to everyone,” said Michael. “I want to thank all those in St. Finian’s College that sponsored me, especially all the teachers and students. I also want to thank all my friends and family that sponsored me, also Murtagh’s Bar in Patrick Street, Gill Muldarry and Grace Kelly from Salon Twenty-One in Mount Street and the management of Mullingar Park Hotel. Thanks to them and everyone that sponsored me. Without their help I couldn’t have won the European title with Ireland,” said a very grateful Scally.
Not alone that though, Michael almost missed out on the team due to injury. “I broke my leg playing football last September. When I broke my leg I couldn’t play or practise as much as I wanted to, so my form dipped and I dropped down the rankings so I was lucky to get picked but thankfully when the pressure came on I played well and was able to play a big part in Ireland’s victory”.
STILL SEARCHING FOR A MAIN SPONSOR
That’s not all, however. Michael wants to continue to represent Ireland and Mullingar in the forthcoming pool tournaments but to do so he will need further sponsorship.
“The World Championships are coming up in June in Blackpool in England and I would love to go there and represent Ireland again. I will also be taking part in the World Individual Championships. Last year I was beaten in the last 16 of that competition but hopefully I can go further this year,” said Michael.
As well as a student at St Finian’s College, Michael is a talented hurler, and plays with his club Clonkill and with the Westmeath minor hurlers, as well as playing football with St. Loman’s.
At just 16 years of age he is the number one Irish under 18 pool player and the Irish under 21 champion.
There is no doubt that if Michael continues to practise hard and can find a main sponsor then he will continue to win titles in Ireland and on the European and World scene. And he will undoubtedly do himself, his family, his school, his town, his county and his country very proud once again. Well done and congratulations, Michael.
