The Future for Snooker

syngindub

I wanted to start a discussion looking at the decline and the increasing decommisioning of snooker clubs around Dublin and perhaps around the rest of the country also. I have been reading some of the threads here and im shocked at the number of halls and clubs that are closing as snooker venues.

How does this bode for the young Ken Doherty's of this Island?

Is there any future in the Game on this island and what will China's impact in future years hold for the sport?

and btw i have heard whispers that spawell may be due to also give into the pressures of the building developer looking to possibly build a hotel or apartments.

syngin

ArmaniJeanss

I was just talking about that with a mate of mine last weekend. We were talking about all the places, literally within 1/4 mile of O'Connell St, that we used to play in when we were kids. The Mint, Pierrot, Home of Billiards, Cosmo, Langans. All gone, and I'm sure whatever part of Dublin/Ireland you come from then people have much the same experience.

I'd agree that yes, its going to be very difficult for any young Irish player to make it now.

The game itself is struggling as we know, prize funds a fraction of those 15 years ago, the lack of sponsorship since tobacco was ousted out, the patchy BBCTV coverage, ITV long given up, Sky effectively giving up on it (except for the Prem League).

The game appears to be dead in North America and Australia as well, places where it had a bit of a hold when I started following it in the 80s. Other than Neil Robertson I struggle to name a player from either of those 2 continents.

I think if the game has a prosperous future then it is in Asia, specifically China (already 2 of the 8ranking tournaments are in China, i think).

However even over there it apparently plays second fiddle to the Asian Pool Tour for TV. Snooker lovers tend to disparage Pool but it's simplicity makes it a more entertaining spectacle for TV viewers and the shortness of its matches appeals to the TV powers-that-be.

I think if I had/knew any kids with the ability of a young Ken Doherty I'd encourage them to get prolific at 9-ball Pool and have a shot at a year in the USA rather go the snooker route.

AJs.

_JOE_

I would certainly agree with your comments...snooker has taken a dramatic decline over the last few years due in part to the rise of pool, both 8ball and 9ball...the BBC don't see it as an investment because of the amount of air time it takes up (although they don't have that problem when the tennis tstournamen come around...)
Although the Asian market were at first taken by the game, 9ball has since long taken over in terms of popularity considering the amount of tournaments held both there, the US and the philippines...

It would be such a shame to see such a skill die out...I think the governing body need to initiate mass promotion of the game now if it has any chance of survival...just look at the resurgence for darts over the last couple of years...

We have already seen some tame efforts to popularize the game with the 30 second freeze out time however it's the sponsors that need to be targeted first...

keviiiii

it really is tough for young players especially outside dublin with even fewer clubs. I come from cork and there are not many successful clubs. what wud be better to try and form a career out of. 8 ball or 9 ball pool. Is there any money in 8 ball pool in ireland as i really enjoy playing it. thanks

ArmaniJeanss

Keviiii, I'll respond despite your out-of-order abuse in the 'increasing pocket size' thread.

As I understand there is a small 9ball tour (with some 8ball).

http://www.irish9ball.com/events.php

Most of the events seem Northern Irish based, but there are some in the south.

I'm not sure what the prize fund would be , I suspect each event would be in the low €1000s at best, but could be way off.

And obviously there is nothing to stop you becoming an 8ball World Champion and then going on to win a big snooker event like the Masters

mckenna45

It is all about getting the tv coverage. How can we promote the game if the deals are not in place. No point having two televised tournaments a year. We need a few wild men in the game, not the lame ducks that currently hold court.

zack01

just reading your posts, one of the last great snooker clubs is still going strong that's the crossguns in phibsboro, the guy that runs it Finbarr has snooker running through his blood and anyone who wants answers or news of what is happening in the game would be well advised to give him a call at the club,the guy spent many years travelling the world with ken doherty and knows the pro and amateur game inside out.

gdez

I know this thread was started back in January, but apart from the decline in Dublin i don't think the state of the game is in bad shape at all in the rest of the country.
With Kilkenny's Davey Morris (19) & Galway's Vincent Muldoon (17) we have two if the brightest talents in europe, Davey Morris is already in the worlds top 64 and Vincent Muldoon has already been invited to play on the main tour after very impressive performances in the European under 21 championships over the last few years.
Not to mention Jason Devaney from Mayo who won the Junior Pot Black tourney at the Crucible in april.

gdez

Also check out this link about another young mayo guy called Sean Conway

http://www.ribsa.info/Seasons/2007.08/2007.08%20News/Conway%20defeats%20Mark%20Selby.html