Home Internationals 2019: Tournament Preview
An event synonymous with team snooker and billiards, this year’s edition of the Home Internationals will take place at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds from 9-16 August.
Teams from England, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales will feature across the eight days. Alongside the main snooker and billiards competitions, there are also Masters, Under-21 and Under-16 snooker categories to be contested.
Defending the Prince of Wales Shield again is the team from the Republic of Ireland, who have won this prestigious snooker accolade in each of the last two years. The six-time winners will present a different ‘A’ team this year, with just Brendan O’Donoghue remaining from 2018 playing with Aaron Hill, Robert Murphy and Ryan Cronin. Greg Casey – a champion last time out – is in the ‘B’ side this time around.
Host nation England will be trying to reclaim the title they last won in 2015. In a youthful looking squad, former professionals Steven Hallworth and Christopher Keogan among those selected. Scotland, who last tasted success in 2016, will be led by captain Dean Young, while multiple time World Disability Billiards and Snooker event winner William Thomson has once again made the grade.
Northern Ireland, Wales A and B will be captained by Stephen Brady, Gavin Lewis and Gareth Edwards respectively, and the Isle of Man will be spurred on by 2015/16 World Snooker Rookie of the Year Darryl Hill.
Plotting to keep the relevant trophies on home soil, English outfits will be defending the Masters, Under-21 and Under-16 championships that were secured in West Yorkshire 12 months ago.
England have totally dominated the billiards discipline in recent years and ‘A’ team members this time around; Rob Hall, Ryan Davies and Ryan Mears, will be aiming to keep the incredible undefeated streak going. Jersey will again make the journey up to compete in the three-ball tournament.
This festival is organised by the Home International Billiards and Snooker Federation. For further information, results, standings and live streaming links during the event, please visit their website here.
