Tierney top of the World in Morocco

Navan man clinches title as two Meath men in top four

Meath pool player Paul Tierney has reached the pinnacle of his sport after being crowned IEPF World over-60s Pool champion in Marrakesh, Morocco, following a dramatic deciding-frame victory over Northern Ireland's Phil Connolly.

The Navan man produced a series of outstanding performances against international opposition before saving his best for last, delivering a stunning break and clearance in the deciding frame of the World Championship final to secure a thrilling 7–6 victory.

For Tierney, the triumph represents the culmination of decades of involvement in cue sports, years of dedicated practice and a growing belief that he could compete with the very best on the international stage.

Tierney began his knockout campaign with a 5–2 victory over France's Lionel Guillou in the last 64 before overcoming Australia's Darren Mahoney 5–1 in the last 32.

His impressive form continued in the last 16, where he recorded a comprehensive 6–0 victory over England's Derek Tolliday.

A 6–3 quarter-final victory over New Zealand's Dean Brown then set up an intriguing all-Meath semi-final against fellow Irish international Martin 'Rocker' Rothwell.

Rothwell had enjoyed an excellent championship himself, defeating Ireland's Sonny Flanagan 6–5 in his quarter-final to ensure that Meath would have a representative in the World Championship final.

The semi-final proved a tense and closely contested affair, with little separating the two Meath players. Eventually, Tierney edged a dramatic deciding frame to secure a 7–6 victory and book his place in the final.

Awaiting him was Northern Ireland's Phil Connolly, who had earlier recorded an emphatic 7–0 semi-final victory over Davy McGurn.

The World Championship final was a gripping contest from the outset, with both players trading frames in the early stages.

The scores were level at 1–1 and 2–2 before Connolly edged ahead 3–2. Tierney responded superbly, turning the match in his favour and establishing a 6–4 lead to move within touching distance of the world crown.

However, Connolly refused to surrender, winning the next two frames to level the contest at 6–6 and force a dramatic winner-takes-all decider.

In a remarkable twist, an important moment from before the match had even begun now came into play.

Tierney had won the lag to determine the opening break, a seemingly small advantage that would ultimately prove crucial under the alternate-break format.

With the scores tied at 6–6, it was Tierney who had the break in the 13th and deciding frame.

With the World Championship resting on a single frame, the Navan man produced a moment of real quality, executing a magnificent break and clearance to seal a 7–6 victory and claim the world title.

It was a fitting conclusion to a remarkable championship campaign, with Tierney displaying tremendous composure under the most intense pressure.

Despite his confidence going into the tournament, the magnitude of the achievement took some time to register.

"Total disbelief was my first reaction," admitted Tierney.

"I've spent years putting in gruelling hours of practice on my table at home with fellow Irish internationals Martin Keenan and Joe McKeever. There's been an enormous amount of hard work behind the scenes, and to finally become a world champion is something very special."

Tierney's journey to world championship glory began many years earlier at the Embassy snooker hall in Navan, an establishment run by the legendary local man Johnny Gibney.

It was there, under the watchful eye of Gibney, that a young Tierney first developed his love for cue sports, little knowing that the journey which began on those snooker tables would eventually take him all the way to becoming a world champion.

After playing snooker in his younger years, Tierney made the switch to American nine-ball pool in 2002, competing in that discipline for the next 15 years.

During that period, he established himself as a formidable competitor, reaching the final of the Irish Nine-Ball Championship.

In 2017, Tierney embarked on another chapter in his sporting career, making the transition to reds and yellows, the English eight-ball format.

The change presented fresh challenges, requiring adjustments to both technique and playing style, but his determination to improve never wavered.

In recent seasons, that commitment has been rewarded with increasingly impressive results on the international stage.

In 2025, Tierney reached the World Doubles final and also progressed to the quarter-finals of the European Championships.

Those performances, coupled with his consistent form on the domestic circuit, strengthened his belief that a major international singles title was within reach.

Having occupied a place among the top three in the IPA rankings for the past two seasons, Tierney travelled to Morocco knowing he was capable of competing with the world's best players in his age category.

"I've been in the top three of the IPA rankings for the past couple of seasons, so I knew I was capable of competing at world level," he explained.

"The belief was always there. It was a matter of putting it all together when it really counted."

And in Marrakesh, everything finally came together.

While the World Championship represents a personal milestone, Tierney was quick to acknowledge those who have helped him along the way.

He paid particular tribute to fellow Irish internationals Martin Keenan and Joe McKeever, whose countless hours of practice alongside him on his home table have played an important role in his preparation.

Tierney also praised JMac's Pool Hall in Navan for providing top-class facilities for local players and reserved special recognition for the Meath Pool Association and its tireless work in developing the sport throughout the county.

"I'd particularly like to acknowledge JMac's Pool Hall in Navan for their top-class facilities and the Meath Pool Association for their incredible dedication to growing the sport. We're very fortunate to have that level of commitment to pool in Meath."

The championship also highlighted the strength of the game locally, with two Meath players reaching the semi-finals of a World Championship.

Martin Rothwell's outstanding run, alongside Tierney's eventual triumph, provided further evidence of the quality of players representing the county.

For Tierney, however, the achievement carries a special significance.

From learning the game on the snooker tables of the Embassy in Navan, through 15 years competing at American nine-ball, to the challenges of mastering English eight-ball, his sporting journey has been one of perseverance, dedication and an enduring passion for cue sports.

After years of near misses, long practice sessions and countless competitive matches, the ultimate prize has finally been secured.

Paul Tierney — World Over-60s Pool champion - has a nice ring to it. A remarkable achievement for the very talented Navan man and a proud moment for Meath and Irish sport.