After taking Bronze Medals in the competition Irish Pool Champion Fred Dinsmore finally took European 9 Ball Pool Title last weekend in Prague."I now have the full collection. Although I had won the World Title, I had never won the European Title, so now at last the monkey is off my back" says the Dublin player, whose first port of call with his trophy was Rathfarnham Snooker Club where he has his own table."I really couldn't have done it without the Dunphy's who own the club" he adds "there was a card congratulating me from all the members when I got back, so I was very chuffed".

Dinsmore had made a slow start in Prague going out in the first round of the 8 Ball "I hate 8-Ball it is so tactical but because it was on, I entered and on a positive note I learned a lot" he reveals."I knew from the way I was playing that my touch was off, although my potting was good, so I was able to correct the problem.

He still hadn't quite got it by the first round of the 9-Ball but thanks to the double elimination format, got right back into the competition when he won the next round. In all he played five matches to reach the final, beating among others fellows Irishman Tom Hynes.His toughest match came in the semi final, where he faced De Klerck of Belgium, who had beaten him many times before. "I was 2-5 down against De Klerck, but my potting was still good and I clawed my way back into the game," he says."I evened the score at 5-5 and took the final rack. But to be honest Bronze was looking good at one stage".

The final against Henrick Larsson, widely considered the best in the World, was a scrappy affair."Lets say it was all a bit edgy," admits Dinsmore."I certainly didn't play my best, but I still won 6-4 so I'm not complaining". Dinsmore is now looking forward to regaining his World Title next December in Chinese Taipei."I may also go to an invitation event in Japan," he adds, "just to see how the body copes with the long journey".  

Lindie Naughton, Evening Herald, 25th March 2004