The intergenerational Northern Irish team of Declan Brennan & Ronan McCarthy won Group 13 of the Eative Ultimate Pool Pairs Cup and qualified for the last 16 of the event.

One of the fancied duos to go all the way in this unique tournament, Brennan & McCarthy – who will both be Ultimate Pool professionals next season – were undefeated throughout the night in Newcastle-under-Lyme, although they came through a pressure situation towards the end to avoid a 6-reds shootout.

Unusual for this unpredictable competition, the opening matches of the evening went to form as Challenger Series event winner Eddie Barker & former European Champion Dylan Leary defeated Kyle Brown & Denis Horan 2-0 whilst Brennan & McCarthy got the better of Chris Back & Darren McCarthy 3-0. The two losing pairs then played out a 2-2 draw which didn’t really help either of their causes.

The eagerly anticipated tie of the night was between the two earlier winning pairs. Ultimate Pool Professional Series Event 1 winner Brennan and all-time great Ronan McCarthy showed just how dangerous they are as a unit during an impressive 4-0 victory to put themselves firmly in control.

Barker & Leary kept their hopes alive by sweeping Back & Darren McCarthy 4-0 but needed Brennan & McCarthy to lose their final match against the already eliminated Brown & Horan to force a 6-reds tiebreaker.

Previously, there had already been three instances when a 100% team went into the final match needing just a point to qualify, but then going on to lose the match. Brennan & McCarthy were in real danger of being the fourth when their opponents exhibited class in taking frames one and three.

However, with only a few minutes left on the clock, the Northern Irishmen got themselves out of a predicament by producing a fantastic scotch doubles clearance under pressure to level the match at 2-2. With barely anytime left on the clock after Brennan’s break in frame five, the point they needed to advance was secured.

Brennan will be back in action this weekend for events 7 and 8 of the Professional Series which will be shown live on FreeSports TV and ultimatepool.tv.

Group 13 Results

Eddie Barker & Dylan Leary 2-0 Kyle Brown & Denis Horan

Declan Brennan & Ronan McCarthy 3-0 Chris Back & Darren McCarthy

Brown & Horan 2-2 Back & D. McCarthy

Barker & Leary 0-4 Brennan & R. McCarthy

Barker & Leary 4-0 Back & D. McCarthy

Brown & Horan 2-2 Brennan & R. McCarthy

Brennan & R. McCarthy win the group