New Season Upon Us

With the 2014/2015 Ballyclare & District Pool League starting a new season on Thursday 4th September, McConnell's will be hoping to produce the same results as last year to prove that their Treble wasn't a fluke.
Playing to the same standard as last year may not be enough for McConnell's though with last year's third placed team, Five Corners, adding last season's Joint Player of the Year, Ryan Foster as well as Pat McInally, Grange's Gareth Fears and the returning Michael Wilson, who no doubt will all strengthen an already impressive squad including last season's Individual Champion Alistair Wilson.
McConnell's captain, Jeff Moore, however hasn't rested on his laurels and has brought in Shaun McAlister, who has recently been selected to play for the Northern Ireland Men's A Team for the upcoming World Championships and will join fellow NI A Team Rab McCullough, in last seasons Treble winning squad.
Dark horses for the League Title could be the new look Grinders team. Playing out of Greenisland Social Club should ensure that Derek Whiteside is able to field a full team on a more regular basis this coming season with 15 International players, past and present, to choose from.
Newcomers Tweedies will be hoping to make their mark on the title with Darren Ryles leading his 'University' team from Parkgate and if 2012 League Individual Champion, John Macalister makes himself available regularly, Tweedies may cause a few upsets as the season goes on.
Granges having lost Gary Cowan due to work commitments and Gareth Fears to the Five Corners, will be hoping that the strong contingent of Shannon family members along with League Chairman Nigel Mulligan and Rab McMaw will see them improve on last seasons impressive display.
Monty's, now under the management of John McClean (Ghostie) will be looking to continue to improve and if Ghostie can get a settled, regular team together every week, no one will be looking at them as an easy 3 points before the match starts.
Wayside have continued with the same seven players as used last season by captain Kyle Kirkwood, but with an extra year's experience for Gary Rutherford, will be trying to get themselves back towards the top end of the League with five players having won the title 3 times in the last 6 years.
Aaron Kirkwood's Wayside Blues will no doubt continue to 'entertain' any team they come up against this year, but with a defeat of Saints last season, have proven that on their day they can go up against and beat the better teams in the League. Craig Laughlin and Michael Higgins, both of whom Aaron tried to tempt to the Blues last year, have agreed to join for the new season and will strengthen the team.

Opening Day Fixtures-

Monty's v McConnell's
Wayside v Grinders
Tweedies v Wayside Blues
Five Corners v Granges

Good Luck to all teams for the upcoming season.