Local pool player earns family bragging rights
Declan Hough (right) and his twin brother Barry who contested the final of the Irish Pool Association Challenge.
Meet the Ballaghaderreen man that won a national final at the expense of his twin brother.
Ballaghaderreen’s Declan Hough secured the coveted national crown when he won the Irish Pool Association Challenge recently. In doing so, he scooped his sixth national ranking event.
He came through a field of 256 players to reach the final against his twin brother Barry. Declan admits that it was a strange experience facing his sibling in the national final, which was held in Ballinasloe.
“There were 256 in the field so to face your brother in the final was unusual. We have played many times, but we had never met in a national final. In county competitions, we would have played against each other, but it was a strange experience, and dynamic, playing him in a national final,” Declan told the .
The win ensured Declan climbed to the top of the Irish pool rankings in what is his third time to hold the number one spot. In a career that has seen him compete on the biggest days both nationally and internationally, he represents the Mayo county team. He has donned the green of Ireland at the World Championships.
When discussing his own career, the Ballaghaderreen man jokingly compares himself to the Mayo footballers when discussing his near misses.
“Next month, the All-Ireland championships are on, so that is the next target. I have lost two singles finals there (in 2008 and 2014). I lost the most recent one 10-9. In the team event, we have been beaten in four finals so that is the top of the list to try and win. We are like the footballers, we just can’t get over the line.
“I have been on the Irish team for the last 15 years. We would compete in the World Championships, mainly in Blackpool. I have lost four World finals with Team Ireland. That is normally the last event on the pool calendar, but I won’t be competing this year as I have young kids and it is two weeks over there,” he explained.
Declan hopes to secure further national titles alongside that precious All-Ireland crown in the near future.
“For me, it would be great to get to double digits for wins in the national ranking events. I would love to secure an All-Ireland singles or team title and win a World Championship with Ireland in the future. Those are the aims, and they keep driving me forward,” he noted.
The number one ranked pool player in Ireland is hoping to build upon his recent national title by competing on the UK Tour in the not too distant future. However, that dream is not a cheap one with Declan actively searching for sponsorship. He can be contacted at 086 8701211 for any interested parties.
