2007 NI Trophy Discussions thread

[ADR147]

yes splendid work stephen thanks for winning me the lucky dip!

[Anastasia]

Well done Maguire BRAVO!
For me is nice to see someone in top 16 to win a tournament this season !

[doorag]

Congratulations Maguire! I realised yesterday that I do like to watch Maguire play. He's got a great rhytm and a soft cue action, and when he's playing well it's really great to watch.

Hope he'll do well in the UK Championship.

[Ellena]

Congrats Magsy ! Im so happy he finally got in a ranking final and won it too .Tis an well deserved victory , considering the way he played this whole tournament ... YAY!

[Maija]

"It's unbelievable winning this title, it really is another dream come true. Overall I was just a wee bit stronger.

"It's been nearly three years since I've won a title and I've beat some great players all week.
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"I'm just really pleased. I few years ago I was struggling, so to come back and win another title is fantastic.

"It was a tough match, but I was really happy with the way I competed tonight. It was never going to be easy, but I'm so thrilled."

The Scot has a son, Finn, who is a year old next month and Maguire admitted: "Being a dad has also changed my life completely. I can make a good living playing snooker and I've no idea what I'd do if I didn't play this game.

"One thing I definitely will not be doing is going on the booze. I've lost two stone since I stopped drinking and I'm not going to put the weight on again."

[hegeland]

Back from a great week with plenty of snooker and fun.

The final was a bit of a disappointment but still not bad in any way really.

Very nice to meet some members from here, and we had a great time (pity everything closes so early on Sundays...).

Btw, I think I owe a few people a couple of drinks so just remind me of that next time, which hopefully won't be in the too distant future.

[Valderie]

Glad you got home safe and sound after your excellent week In Belfast! It sounds as though you had a really good time, well worth the wait I'm sure.

[PaulTheSoave]

That bloke in the Editors' T-shirt who nearly fell from the stairs and calling out Fergal, Fergal?

No was not me!

Was that Paulthesoave getting Fergal's autograph?

Review :

Matches

The First semi was a cracking match. I was happy for Maguire to win as he was so casual when I met him before the match. Stewards shouting to leave him alone and more nonsense, but he did not care one bit what they said and had a small chat. The attendance though was very poor. Cant believe those 2players had just around 300 spectators.

The second semi I was impressed with the dedication from Fergal. Mark Allen looked a bit tired and was lacklustre. I guess the previous match did not help for his fitness.

The final started well, close first session. It was nice to see how Fergal enjoyed every minute of being in the final. It is something you cant notice on tv like in the arena. All those years of hard craft, falling back in the rankings and then suddenly in a ranking final again. I really have the deepest respect for this kind of attitude.

Evening session was disappointing and the decider was probably when the white hit the red and cannoned the black into the pocket. That was so unlucky and gave Maguire a chance to take the frame. Fergal never recovered from that point. Maguire did deserve to win though as he took on more risky pots from where he created a frame deciding chance.

Venue

Must be one the best I have been to. Quite new of course and a wonderful view from the balcony. The seats just behind the table are rubbish though, but that’s the fault of worldsnooker. They seem to take them to every tournament, sat on the same folding chairs in York and Wembley Arena.

Other trivia.

Great pubs, very friendly people, and nice to have met the usual suspects Also nice to meet 2 members for the first time, Hegeland and Janedoe who all joined for drinks after, but we all stayed sober .

[hegeland]

I was happy for Maguire to win as he was so casual when I met him before the match. Stewards shouting to leave him alone and more nonsense, but he did not care one bit what they said and had a small chat.

I think that man shouting at you was actually Len Ganley!

[Stella147]

Enjoyable summation of your time in Belfast Paul.
Glad you seemed to have a good time. It was good to see you again and the others of course and nice to have met Hegeland.
I'm still recovering but thoroughly enjoyed myself last week and at the weekend - glad to have a tournament so close to home.

[lagermike]

So it's on to Telford now.
Me and PaulTheSoave are front row for the second semi final on Saturday!!!

[Stella147]

I'm debating whether to go to Telford or not. I hadn't planned to go but after the weekend I don't think I can miss it, especially as I will not be making it to my favorite tournament - the Masters!! What to do, what to do??????

[lagermike]

I'm debating whether to go to Telford or not. I hadn't planned to go but after the weekend I don't think I can miss it, especially as I will not be making it to my favorite tournament - the Masters!! What to do, what to do??????

I think you might struggle for tickets now for the business end of the UK. A pre-christmas snooker session though, surely it doesn't take much debating!

[Valderie]

So it's on to Telford now.
Me and PaulTheSoave are front row for the second semi final on Saturday!!!

Leading each other astray as well, no doubt!

[lagermike]

Leading each other astray as well, no doubt!

What 2 grown up, mature men like us!! We will be paragons of good behaviour!!
And any deviation away from good behaviour can be explained away by the excitement of the festive season - getting my excuses in early!!!!