DARREN Morgan won his 11th European Snooker Championships senior title in Portugal – and was also close to earning an unwanted return to the pro circuit.
The 55-year-old from Newbridge lifted the trophy in Albufeira and also made the semi-finals of the men’s tournament and was runner-up in the team event with fellow Welshman Elfed Evans.
The former pro eased to the senior title when he beat Ireland’s Frank Sarsfield 4-0 in the EBSA event, that after he won his group and knocked out Andy Nettleton 3-0, Michael Philbin 4-1, Jani Kananen 4-1 and Wayne Brown 4-1.
That came after Morgan had impressed in the men’s tournament in Portugal, topping his group and then beating Aleksei Koren 4-0, Zsolt Fenyvesi 4-2, Daniel Holoyda 4-3 and Robin Hull 4-3 to make the semi-finals.
He was then beaten 4-2 by Oliver Brown, who went on to win the trophy and will be nominated to join the World Snooker Tour for 2022/23.
Morgan was joined in Portugal by his wife Tracy and his surprise progress in the main tournament led to them having to discuss what to do if he went all the way.
WINNER: Darren Morgan become senior European champion for the 11th time
“In the men’s event I was getting stronger and stronger,” said Morgan.
“I was getting to the stage where I would get my pro ticket which, to be honest, I didn’t really want!
“I was offered it then I would have accepted but it was taken out of my hands in the end when I lost to Oliver Brown.
“In many ways that was the best result because it saved me from having to go back and I had a good run, playing with freedom and using it for practice.
“I got on a bit of a run in the seniors and made lots of 40s, 50s and 60s after I had a 137 in the men’s tournament.
“I didn’t have any real scares and it was nice to get my hands on the trophy again.”
Morgan also shone with Wales when joining forces with 52-year-old Evans.
The experienced duo beat their young Welsh rivals Dylan Emery, who won the U21 tournament, and Ben Fortey 4-3 in a tight tussle before hammering Russia 4-0 in the semis.
The Belgium duo of Julien Leclercq and Kevin Hanssens proved to be too strong in the final, winning 5-2.
"We were over the moon to get that far," said Morgan, who take part in the 2022 World Seniors Championship at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in May.
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