16/10/2026
Fitzpatrick’s Tavern 5 - 13 The Cross
We begin this week's review with a Wednesday night fixture.
After finishing Week 1 at the top of the table, Fitzpatrick’s Tavern were full of confidence heading into their opening home match. They got off to the perfect start, taking the first three frames and putting The Cross under early pressure.
However, The Cross captain, Aoife King, stepped up in Frame 4 and completely turned the tide. It proved to be the catalyst for a remarkable run, as The Cross went on to win 13 consecutive frames.
Aoife was at the heart of the comeback, contributing three singles victories and one doubles win during the streak. Richard Brady and Simon Trent also played key roles, each adding two singles victories as well as doubles and triples wins to The Cross's dominant performance.
To their credit, Fitzpatrick’s Tavern rallied late and claimed the final two frames of the night, but the damage had already been done as The Cross secured an impressive 13-5 victory.
As I warned last week, The Cross are a team to keep an eye on this season.
Lizzie Buggies B 6 - 12 Lizzie Buggies A
Next up was the eagerly anticipated clash between the two Lizzie Buggies teams. Both sides opened their campaigns with victories last week, making this a good early test of how much the B team has progressed over the past year.
While Lizzie Buggies A remain unchanged from last season, the B team has strengthened its squad with a couple of new additions. With last year's meeting ending in an emphatic 11-1 victory for the A team, the question was how much the gap had closed.
Lizzie Buggies B made an excellent start, claiming victories over Stephen Donohue and Liam McElgunn in the opening round of singles. Despite that bright beginning, they found themselves trailing 3-2 after the first set of frames.
As so often happens, the Scotch doubles proved to be a turning point. The experienced Lizzie Buggies A pairings took both doubles frames to extend their advantage to 5-2.
The second round of singles was closely contested, with Lizzie Buggies A edging it 3-2 before following up with victory in the triples. That left the score at 9-3 heading into the final session, needing just one more frame to secure the match.
Once again, the A team narrowly won the final session 3-2, sealing a 12-6 victory.
Although the A team maintained their dominance, the result showed clear signs of progress from Lizzie Buggies B compared to last season's heavy defeat. They'll be eager for another shot at their pub-mates later in the year in the knockout stages. If they can improve their doubles performances, they'll feel they have a genuine chance of turning the tables and gaining some revenge.
The High Stool 4 - 14 Drumlane
In last week's post-match interview, Ronan Kennedy attempted to play down his side's chances of winning this year's league, suggesting that a top six finish would represent a successful season due to a perceived lack of strength in depth. After this performance, that claim is looking increasingly difficult to believe.
The 2025 champions once again demonstrated their quality, battling their way to an emphatic 14-4 away victory over The High Stool.
With both teams arriving on the back of opening-week wins, this fixture was expected to provide a good indication of where The High Stool stand against one of the league's strongest sides. The visitors edged the opening round of singles 3-2, but as seen elsewhere this week, experience in the doubles and triples formats proved crucial.
Drumlane swept all of the Scotch doubles and triples frames, opening up a commanding advantage. Another 3-2 victory in the second round of singles saw the visitors head into the final session with a 9-4 lead and firmly in control of the contest.
Unfortunately for The High Stool, there was to be no fairy-tale comeback. Drumlane produced a flawless finish, claiming all five frames in the final session to complete an impressive 14-4 triumph.
For the home side, Adrian Daly was the standout performer, winning two of his three singles matches. For Drumlane, Ronan Kennedy led from the front with a perfect three singles wins from three, while also contributing victories in both the doubles and triples. Team-mates Pauric, Anthony, and Ciaran also enjoyed excellent nights, each collecting three frame wins.
Two weeks into the season, Drumlane are already showing the consistency, experience, and strength throughout the squad that made them champions in 2025.
Ronan, whether you admit it or not, you're most definitely among the favourites to regain the title this season.
The Hillside Tavern 3 - 15 Barney's Lounge
After disappointing opening week for both teams, with neither side registering any points on the league table, this fixture presented an opportunity to get their season up and running.
With both captains making full use of their squads throughout the night, it was always going to be interesting to see whose team selections would have the greater impact.
Barney's Lounge made a flying start, taking the opening session 4-1. Father-and-son duo Richie and Tristan Graham both picked up victories, ensuring there would be plenty of bragging rights on the journey home.
As has been a recurring theme throughout this week's fixtures, the doubles and triples proved to be crucial. Barney's Lounge claimed all three of those frames to stretch their advantage further, and a clean sweep in the second round of singles left the home side facing a daunting 12-1 deficit.
Any hopes of a dramatic comeback were quickly extinguished as Barney's Lounge maintained their momentum in the final session, taking it 3-2 to complete a comprehensive 15-3 victory.
It was an outstanding team performance from Barney's Lounge, with contributions coming right across the squad. Rather than singling out multiple players, special credit should go to Captain Karl Dunne, whose management of the team selections throughout the night proved to be a defining factor in securing such an emphatic win.
Barney's Lounge are back on the road next week with a trip to The Cross in what promises to be a tight and highly competitive encounter. Meanwhile, The Hillside Tavern will look to bounce back when they welcome Orchard A to home turf.
Barney Mac's 7 - 11 The Orchard A
Great clearances, missed blacks, controversial refereeing decisions, and plenty of hot whiskeys combined to produce one of the most entertaining matches of the week in Barney Mac's, Ballinagh.
The opening session was a cagey affair, with neither side able to gain control early on. After four frames the match was finely balanced at 2-2, before a tremendous finish from Brian McEvoy against Liam Allen, who would later play a significant role in the night's drama, edged the home side into a 3-2 lead.
A recurring theme throughout the week has been the importance of the Scotch doubles, and once again they proved pivotal. Barney Mac's claimed both doubles frames to stretch their advantage to 5-2, while the teams shared the next two frames to leave the score at 6-3.
The turning point came in the next frame. Shane Cawley looked destined to complete an excellent clearance before breaking down at a crucial moment. As the balls lay, it seemed likely he would get another opportunity, but pub league debutant Killian Clarke had other ideas. To the surprise of both teams, Killian embarked on a fearless, all-out clearance attempt. With every pot his team looked on nervously, hoping he might choose the safety option, but he continued attacking and somehow completed a spectacular clearance to steal the frame and ignite The Orchard's comeback.
Inspired by their team-mate, Michael "Stick" Meehan followed up by claiming his first frame of the campaign before John Slattery produced a blistering visit, clearing all of his reds from the break only to miss the black. That set the stage for the first major controversy of the evening.
Brian McEvoy then played a superb yellow before attempting to leave a snooker. The referee called a foul and awarded ball-in-hand. Although Brian questioned the decision, he accepted it, and The Orchard capitalised to level the match at 6-6.
During the interval, an unofficial VAR review by those present suggested the original decision may have been incorrect, but the score remained unchanged. The Orchard made full use of the momentum, winning the triples frame before John Slattery produced a superb clearance to take the opening frame of the final session and move the visitors 8-6 ahead.
Barney Mac's refused to go away. Bryan McEntee played one of the smartest frames of the night, combining excellent safety play and clinical potting to leave the black hanging over a pocket while his opponent's balls remained safe. After finding himself in trouble, Bryan responded with one of the shots of the match, travelling the full length of the table to pot the black and reduce the deficit to 8-7.
The drama was far from over.
With the score at 8-7, Shane Cawley and Liam Allen stepped up. Shane once again looked in control after clearing five reds before breaking down. Liam earned a ball-in-hand opportunity and faced a difficult positional shot with less than an inch between the cue ball and his problem ball. He fired it into the top corner pocket at pace, leaving much of the venue convinced they had witnessed a push shot. Shane looked hopefully towards both the referee and his opponent, but neither agreed, and Liam calmly finished the clearance to put The Orchard within touching distance at 9-7.
The match still needed to be closed out, and Neil Brady was the man to do it. Producing an excellent reverse dish, he secured the decisive frame and guaranteed victory for The Orchard. With Michael "Stick" Meehan now full of confidence after earlier getting off the mark, he wrapped up proceedings by taking the final frame of the night to complete an 11-7 victory.
There were outstanding performances on both sides. For The Orchard, John Slattery and Neil Brady both finished the night with perfect 3-from-3 singles records. Despite ending up on the losing side, Bryan McEntee, Brian McEvoy, Shane Cawley, and Colin Sheridan all produced excellent displays and were unfortunate not to get more reward for their efforts.
In truth, The Orchard were perhaps a little fortunate to leave Ballinagh with the win.
And, depending on who you ask, Liam Allen may have been even more fortunate to leave Ballinagh unscathed.
The Kesh Bar 6 - 12 The Orchard Bar B
Buoyed by last week's spirited comeback victory over Barney Mac's, The Orchard Bar B made the short trip to The Kesh for this local Cavan derby full of confidence. That confidence proved well founded, as last week's star performer was once again among the action, taking the opening frame and helping his side race into an early lead.
The visitors made an excellent start to the night, winning four of the opening five frames to establish a 4-1 advantage.
Once again, the Scotch doubles proved decisive. The Orchard Bar B claimed both doubles frames to extend their lead to 6-1 heading into the second round of singles.
Mark Dempsey continued his fine form by winning his frame, while team-mate Damien Brady also delivered a victory to stretch the lead to 8-1. To The Kesh's credit, they refused to surrender and responded by taking two of the remaining three singles frames, reducing the deficit to 9-3.
The fightback continued as The Kesh secured the Scotch triples frame and followed that up by winning two of the next three singles matches, closing the gap to 10-6 and giving themselves a glimmer of hope.
However, The Orchard Bar B remained composed. The visitors' standout performer on the night, Damien Brady, claimed the penultimate frame to edge his side closer to the finish line before Thomas O'Keeffe stepped up to secure the match-clinching frame and seal a deserved 12-6 victory.
There were some excellent individual performances throughout the contest. Mark Dempsey and Damien Brady both enjoyed perfect nights, winning all three of their singles matches as well as contributing to a doubles victory. For The Kesh, Adrian McCabe and Neil Reilly were the standout performers and can take plenty of positives from their displays despite the defeat.
After spending the opening two weeks of the season on the road, The Orchard Bar B finally return home next week, where they face a tough test against The High Stool. Meanwhile, The Kesh make the short journey to Ballinagh, where they will look to get back to winning ways.
Lee's Bar 6 - 12 MacSeain's
Saving the best until last, there was another thrilling battle in Lee's Bar, Ballyconnell, on Thursday night as they hosted league newcomers MacSeain's. With both teams still searching for their first win of the campaign, there was plenty at stake from the first break-off.
The visitors made a flying start and, helped by some excellent play and a touch of good fortune, stormed into a 4-1 lead. Clive Neil was responsible for the only bright spot for the home side during the opening session, claiming Lee's sole frame.
Clive's fine form continued in the Scotch doubles, where he helped secure a valuable victory. That success inspired the home side, who also claimed the next frame to reduce the deficit to 4-3 heading into the second round of singles.
MacSeain's responded impressively. Jason Miney and Ronan Trainer both delivered important victories to re-establish control of the match and stretch the visitors' lead to 6-3.
Just when it looked as though the newcomers were pulling away, Clive once again sparked a response from Lee's Bar. He claimed another frame before team-mates Larry Lee and Oliver McGovern followed suit, bringing the match level at 6-6 and setting up a fascinating finish.
As has been the case so often this season, the Scotch triples proved to be a crucial turning point. MacSeain's dug deep to secure the frame and regain the lead, carrying a slender advantage into the final round of singles.
The closing session was far tighter than the eventual scoreline suggests. After several hard-fought frames that could easily have gone either way, Conor, Sean, and Ronan delivered victories in the opening three matches of the session to move MacSeain's into a commanding 10-6 lead and secure the overall win on the night.
With the pressure off, Oisin and Shane added the finishing touches, extending the margin and sealing an impressive 12-6 victory for the Cornafean side.
The final score perhaps does not fully reflect how evenly contested this encounter was. Lee's Bar battled superbly to recover from an early deficit and level matters at 6-6, while a couple of key moments ultimately swung the match in MacSeain's favour.
A special mention must go to Clive Neil, whose performance almost single-handedly dragged Lee's back into contention at several stages of the night.
As for last week's star performer, Lorraine Moran, many in Ballyconnell may have been wondering where she was when her side needed one more big performance!
Week 2 Summary
Week 2 of the Cavan Pool League delivered plenty of drama, impressive comebacks, and some dominant performances that are already shaping the early title race. The Cross sent out a strong warning to the rest of the league by overturning a 3-0 deficit to defeat Fitzpatrick's Tavern 13-5, with captain Aoife King inspiring an incredible run of 13 consecutive frames. Reigning champions Drumlane underlined their credentials with a crushing 14-4 victory over The High Stool, moving to the top of the table and reinforcing their status as favourites to retain the title. Elsewhere, Barney's Lounge got their season up and running in style with a 15-3 win over Hillside Tavern, while Lizzie Buggies A once again proved too strong for their B team counterparts, winning 12-6 despite clear signs of improvement from the younger side.
The most entertaining contest of the week came in Ballinagh, where The Orchard A battled back from 6-3 down to defeat Barney Mac's 11-7 in a match packed with quality clearances, controversial decisions, and plenty of talking points. The Orchard Bar B continued their excellent start to the season with a second consecutive away victory, overcoming The Kesh 12-6 thanks to outstanding performances from Mark Dempsey and Damien Brady. In Ballyconnell, league newcomers MacSeain's claimed their first win by defeating Lee's Bar 12-6, pulling away late after the match had been level at 6-6. A recurring theme across almost every fixture was the importance of the Scotch doubles and triples formats, with several matches swinging decisively on those team frames. After only two weeks, The Cross, Drumlane, The Orchard teams, and MacSeain's have all shown they will be serious contenders, while several others have already demonstrated that no lead is safe and every point will have to be earned the hard way this season.
