Longford snooker star Joe Shannon rapidly rising
13-year-old snooker star Joe Shannon from Kilmore, Newtownforbes was a recipient of one of the 2023 Longford Leader Sports Star Awards, in association with Longford Sports Partnership, which were presented at a gala presentation function in the Longford Arms Hotel on Friday night last.
Achievements
Season 2022-2023
Represented Ireland at European championships in Malta at under 16 & 18
Represented Ireland at home internationals in Leeds at U-16 as captain
Represented Ireland in Celtic Challenge at under 16
Won 2 competitions under 14 & 16
Got to 9 more finals at under 14, 16 & 18
Won highest break at under 14 for 2022-2023 season
Won highest break at under 14 championships
Won highest break at under 16 championships
Highlights of the season: Playing Ken Doherty in Snooker & Billiards Ireland Academy in Carlow and being televised by RTE Nationwide.
Rankings at end of season
U-14 Number 1
U-16 Number 2
U-18 Number 3
Current Season 2023-2024
Has won National titles at u14,u16 & u18 level
Current rankings
No 1 at under 14
No 1 at under 16
No 2 at under 18 level. Hopes for the rest of the season are to win more national titles at u14,u16,u18 and to represent Ireland at the European Championships in Sarajevo; to compete in the home internationals in Leeds and to qualify to compete in the Celtic challenge v Wales in Wales.
Highlights of his season so far was being coached by Irish professional snooker player Fergal O’Brien and getting the privilege to play current world ranked No 7 Shaun Murphy in Celbridge.