Cross Community Challenge Match 2010

From Chairman of NIBSA, Joe McGonnell - This has been an ongoing event for a number of years now, both home and away and the players have really got to know one and other really well. The individual who got it going, I must tell you was our one and only BRIAN RICHMOND from INF Club, who had talks with SAM BROWN from the Catch, and from there it has been a total success.
Now we are arranging matches with other clubs namely EAST BELFAST WORKING MENS CLUB who are due to play both INF and CLONARD HIBS with the help of DARREN from the east and LIAM from Clonard in the next few weeks. I would now just like to take this opportunity to invite all clubs accross the divide, to take part.

Match Report

Catch turned up in their classy club polo shirts, however with only 5 players Joe Mc Gonnell put his name forward to make it 2 six man teams. Following a few drinks from the bar the 2 captains made the draw and play got under way.

ANTO COLHOUN INF v BRIAN SMITH Catch and PAUL SMITH INF v KENNY KANE from Catch, two great games with Anto and Kenny the victors score one apiece. Next up saw MARTIN ARTERTON INF v CAMPBELL FAULKNER Catch and MARK MC GONNELL (JNR) INF v GLEN SPRATT Catch. again another two great matches only this time the INF took both frames to go into a marginal 3 v 1 lead.

This left it all to plat for with the final 2 matches bringing together DAMIAN CAMPBELL INF up against the marksman for the Catch SAM BROWN, and BRIAN RICHMOND v JOE MC GONNELL Catch. These two matches were going to be very exciting since Damian always seems to draw Sam, and as the character of the INF he was quick to get the verbals in saying "come on Sam, I'm gonna stuff you again" to the ammusement of both sides, and that's how it turned out, poor sam just cant seem to get past him.

That left the match 4 v 1 for INF and big Brian RICHMOND took care of Joe MC GONNELL to give INF a convincing win 5 games to 1. Not all doom and gloom for Joe though, he is of course the proud holder of the INF BELFAST 2010 Referees Champion, a title he will no doubt be keen to hold onto.
Sam announced the return match for early September and which everyone agreed to, and it was also suggested that a trophy be in place for the return leg. With the snooker and formalities over it was time to get down to some serious business, drinks were ordered, a small finger buffet served and a great night of craic and entertainment enjoyed by everybody.

Photos and Forthcoming Fixtures

Next Cross Community Challenges

East Belfast Working Mens Club verses INF Belfast 12th August 2010 View match Report