Tipperary snooker thriller at James Whelehan Memorial Tournament

In the New Institute club at Nenagh, the annual James Whelehan Memorial Snooker Tournament—honouring the late James “Puk” Whelehan—has produced its most dramatic final yet.

READ ALSO: €24 million nursing home in Tipperary stays empty as bureaucracy drags on

Tyler Hogan, who only joined the club only in May, entered perhaps as underdog but exited as champion. He cleared preliminary rounds against Ger Lovett and Ollie Cleere before facing last year’s holder, Martin Kelly, in the final. After losing the first two frames, he mounted a dramatic comeback to win 3–2.

The rewards are modest but meaningful: a gold medal, prize money, and the James Whelehan trophy, held by the winner yet displayed proudly in the club for a year. New to the prizes is a club cap—a nod to Whelehan himself, who was rarely seen without one.

The event was sustained by small acts of generosity. Jacinta and Louise Whelehan, James’s sister and mother, arrived with armfuls of pizza. Eddie Ryan supplied coffee, biscuits and milk.

David Lynch, the tournament director, and Brendan O’Donoghue ensured the tables were brushed and ironed into playing condition.

Tyler Hogan’s victory is resonant, in a field of local familiar faces, a fresh recruit has upended expectations. The Whelehan memorial, intended not merely to crown a champion but to preserve community spirit and memory, has again delivered spectacle and surprise.

READ MORE: Famous Tipperary castle set for major makeover as council takes charge