Irish Eyes are smiling in Europe
The final of the European Mens' Snooker Championship, in Duffel Belgium, is being contested by two Irishman for the first time.
The final of the European Mens' Snooker Championship, in Duffel Belgium, is being contested by two Irishman for the first time.
Ireland were guaranteed a finalist, when two of their men, Brendan O'Donoghue and Mario Fernandez, were paired in the semi final.
Fernandez, brother of former main tour pro Leo, overcame O'Donoghue in their semi final, while Hogan ended the last hopes of mainland Europe, ousting Germany's Sascha Lippe.
Wendy Jans has given the Belgian hosts something to cheer about, winning the European ladies title with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Russia's Anna Mazhirina.
The first three frames were all very close and resolved on pink or black.
Jans then stepped up a gear to take the fourth with a run of 53, before clinching victory on the brown in the next.
Darren Morgan has taken the European Masters title with a 6-3 win over Ireland's Joe x Delaney.
Delaney, from Wexford, took a close opener, but Morgan turned on the style with 122 and 70 to take the lead.
The Welshman added two more close frames before Delaney countered with 62 and added the seventh to trail only 4-3.
Again Morgan, the former World Number 8, changed gear, making 65 and then a superb 78 clearance to close out the match in style.
At the mid session interval the scoreline in the Men's favour is Fernandez 3-2 Hogan.
The Men's final resume at 16.00 CET and the winner will be nominated for a place on the 2009-10 WSA Main Professional Tour.
