The DBSL would like to congratulate “The Wolf” Ivor Fitzpatrick, of Pioneers Blue, on winning the Ink Spot 2026 Dublin Scratch Snooker Championships. Ivor beat Stephen Merrigan, of Roadstone A, 3-2 in the final. This great event was held in Roadstone Snooker Club on Saturday 25th April with the final played on Wednesday 29th April.

Ivor Fitzpatrick started the tournament seeded and came up against Dean Murray in the last 16. Ivor took a comfortable 3-0 win over Dean before moving to to face Alan Byrne in the Quarter Final. This match was very tight, and went down to the blue ball in the deciding frame, with Ivor eventually potting it to take him to the Semi Final where he faced Daniel Merrigan.

Daniel got off to a strong start and quickly pushed 2-0 ahead of Ivor, and looked certain to book his place in the final. Ivor, however, showed his patience and experience, and chipped away in both frames, clawing back the deficit with his usual grit and determination, to take the match to a decider. The final frame was neck and neck with both players fighting hard for a spot in the final. The match finally came down to a nail biting black ball finish, where both players had attempts at a pot, but finally, Ivor slotted it home to secure his spot in the final against the mighty and steady Stephen Merrigan.

As the final got underway on Wednesday evening, you could cut the tension with a knife. An atmosphere of a Pioneer v Roadstone clash enveloped the room as each player desperately wanted to take the opening frame and assert dominance over the other. Both players were locked level on 38 points each as they went into the colours, where Stephen got the upper hand to take the first frame and lead 1-0.

The second frame was tight with both players getting in early but failing to capitalise and gain any real leads. Ivor eventually potted the final pink to level the match 1-1.

The third frame could have gone either way, and the frame looked in the balance until Stephen took his chance on the green, potting it and following up with a nice brown, blue and pink to lead 2-1.

Ivor then went on to take the 4th frame with his own yellow to pink dish, including a great green, to level the match 2-2 and take the final to a decider.

The deciding frame saw Stephen develop a slight lead of 30-3 with 6 reds left but failed to get safe off a snooker escape, leaving the wolf in. Ivor then kept his nerve and compiled a steady break of 49 to go 22 ahead with 22 on. It looked like it was over but a final piece of drama unfolded when Ivor pot the brown and the cue ball followed it into the pocket leaving Stephen ball in hand with now enough points to win. Stephen slotted home the brown and blue but failed to move the pink off the cushion enough to leave him with an easy pot. After a bit of safety and a few half attempts at the pink by both players, Ivor finally potted the pink to win the match and take the title for the first time.

Stephen’s route to the final saw him beat Clayton Cregan, of Pioneers Blue, 3-1 in the last 16 match, before impressively taking down Paul Dunne, of Transport Club, 3-2 in the Quarter Final and fellow team mate Johnny Farrell, 3-1 in the Semi Final.

DBSL would also like to thank Tournament Directors Kevin O’Brien and Niall Lawless, along with the Roadstone Snooker Club for their fine hospitality throughout both days.

A special thanks to Mick Kearns for reffing the Final.

DBSL would also like to give an extra special thanks and mention to the sponsor of the event, Ink Spot.

Highest Break of the tournament was a brilliant 106, compiled nicely by Paddy Brady.

Full details of the event below.

Winner: Ivor Fitzpatrick

Runner Up and Winner: Stephen Merrigan and Ivor Fitzpatrick

Finalists with Ref Mick Kearns

Semi Finalists: Stephen Merrigan and Johnny Farrell

Semi Finalists: Daniel Merrigan and Ivor Fitzpatrick

Draw

High Breaks

Event details
Venue: Roadstone
Entrance Fee: 20 Euro entry fee includes table charges
Format: All matches are best of 5
Time: 09:30am start
Dress code: Full Attire