Kilkenny snooker player off to flying start at European Snooker Championships

Kilkenny cueist Benny O'Brien has topped his group heading into the knockout stages of the European Snooker Championships 2026 in Spain.

His victories include 3-0 wins over Scotland's Michael Collumb, Rafael Argente of Spain and Eugenio Staccione of Italy.

"Won my final group game 3-0," Benny posted on social media.

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"Played okay but should have had a big break in frame two, missed a bad red on 59.

"Topped my group so I'll be a top seed going into the knockouts."

A native of The Butts in Kilkenny City, Benny previously won the All-Ireland Snooker Club Championship (2022) with Kilkenny snooker team ‘The Kilkenny Shed’.

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The European U16, U18, U21 and Main Snooker Championships together with the Q-Tour Paly-Offs are taking place at the Palace Hotel in Gandia (Spain) from March 1-17.

The schedule of play in the knockout stages are as follows:

Wed 11th of March

17:30 Last 86

19:00 Last 86

Thur 12th of March

10:00 Last 64

12:30 Last 64

16:00 Last 32

Fri 13th of March

10:00 Last 16

16:00 Quarter Finals

Sat 14th of March

10:00 Semi Finals

16:00 Final

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