DUNGLOE POOL PLAYER Shaun Sharkey is in Scotland for the 2016 Nations Cup, which gets underway this evening.
Sharkey is ranked number 2 in Ireland as gets ready to break off in Aberdeen, competing in the singles competition and also for Ireland in the team event.
Sharkey starts off this evening with a game against Scottish player Shaun Kemp.
The 25-year-old has competed at two World Championships and been beaten narrowly in the final twice, by England and Australia.
[adrotate group=”55″]This year, Sharkey and Ireland lost out to Australia at the final in Blackpool after beating them in the group stage.
“It was so sickening and to lose for the second time in a World final was heartbreaking,” Sharkey says.
This week, Ireland will compete alongside Scotland, Wales and England in the Nations Cup.
[adrotate group=”76″]Sharkey, who is the Donegal and Ulster champion for the last two years, is confident.
“We want as deep a run as possible this week,” he says.
Although he competes in both th singles and the team competitions, he prefers the team event.
“I’d rather be there with a team of men celebrating rather than just myself,” he says.
[adrotate group=”38″]“It’s a savage buzz to walk out for these competitions, representing Ireland and hearing the national anthem being played. I think we’ll do well and I’d say it’s between us and England to see who’ll win it.”
Sharkey took up the sport seriously after going for a trial for the Irish Under-21s when he was 19 and winning the event.
[adrotate group=”46″]His parents are the proprietors of Owenies Bar, where he works as a barman and Sharkey has been making waves on the baize.
Ranked number 2 behind the Irish captain, David McQuillan, he says his aim is to get to the top of the Irish ladder.
He is also one of the driving forces behind a new base for the Donegal Pool Association which will open in Ballybofey in the next couple of months.
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