Brennan is Ultimate Champion

MAYOBRIDGE'S Declan Brennan says his Ultimate Pool trophy win is down to dedication and a switch in mindset.

Played in front of live TV Brennan played some of his best pool in recent seasons to see off Chris Melling and clinch the title.

Readers may remember the south Down cueist won the first ever Ultimate Pool title three seasons ago, since then he has won the Irish Singles title and the WPF World Masters but the 31-year-old demands more of himself and hopes this latest victory sparks more trophy wins.

“Obviously my standard is better than it taking three years to win another Pro event,” Brennan said.

“But it took hard work and a lot of practice to get back to the level I was at. I maybe took my foot off the gas over the past few years and lost some of the hunger, but thankfully it is coming back now and I am starting to get the rewards out of it again.

“It wasn't easy won, last year I won the WPF World Masters, which is one of the biggest titles I can win but I was still disappointed with my year that I had.

“We won the world teams championships and we are defending that next month in Blackpool (June 14 to 29) and I'll play in another pro series the weekend before all that kicks off, so a lot of pool coming up over the next month and plenty of positives to look forward, so I just need to keep my head down.”

That said, he was over the moon with the May Ultimate Pool title win, especially with the exciting finish and says experience gained means he no longer feels nervous in front of live TV.

It is the best buzz, especially coming through the way I did,” said Brennan.

“Ultimate Pool introduced a six-way shoot-out, which is an unfortunate way to lose a match but an exciting way to win a match and I came through three of them to win the event and I had a very bad record leading up to the event this year.

“But I have been putting in the work and things have started to turn around for me. Just getting over the line and putting in that extra yard to give yourself that extra edge to preform better whenever you need to and that is something haven't been doing over the last couple of years.

“This past six months I have been really knuckling down and putting the work in. It is nice being rewarded and winning the Champions League. It was a big event, live on TNT Sports, so playing in front of live TV cameras plus beating two of the best players in Ultimate Pool in the semi-final and final take the title, which is even better.

“TV doesn't bother me, we are well used to playing in front of the cameras now. I remember playing Chris [Melling] three years ago in the same room and I was nervous because I had not really played under the spotlight like that, with the camera's and knowing it was live TV. It was a new experience for me and somehow I won that match, I don't know how because I was hardly fit to talk at it, because I was so nervous. Three years on at the same situation I felt comfortable and I gradually became used to that, I don't even notice the cameras anymore, you become used to the environment, so it is just gaining experience every year.”

Brennan lost at the quarter-final stage of the Irish singles championship in Killarney, to Gary Bracket of Cork, (Stevie Dempsey from Cork won the title) and while disappointed, that defeat came with a silver lining.

“Because I was able to travel to England on the Sunday night and get a good nights sleep before playing on Monday,” Brennan said.

“You need to be prepared as best you can, even the concentration levels, especially at the top end of the sport, because one mistake can cost you the match and it is that simple. Sometimes I may not make a mistake and lose a match, which is just unfortunate but that is the standard that we are at.

Being able to have a clear mind, being well rested and getting practice is essential for giving yourself the best chance of performing.”

Brennan insists that there is little he can do to replicate the pressure of big games to help him deal with match-day pressures other playing more big games and says that having sponsorship has permitted him to concentrate on his cue-game.

“You can't practice it, there is meditation and psychology you can pick up from different sports books, which I have done in the past, but it is really down to experience,” said Brennan.

“Many years of playing top level cue sports, whether it is snooker or pool, you become battle-hardened and you learn to try and win games the best you can. It won't always work, sometimes you can't control your body or emotions or how you feel on any given day but at least you give yourself the best chance and understand what is going on when these things are happening.

“Sponsorships is massive, even when you are winning prize-money, the sponsorship takes the pressure off and the Whistling Donkey has been very good to me over the past two years. Anytime I have needed sponsorship money to cover travel costs or accommodation, Gavin and Jamie have been very helpful and sorted my out.

“Other sponsors include Sean Mullen plumbing, M Coat Solutions, Paddy McEvoy Mayobridge, MPC Bricklaying Niall Connolly, they have all chipped in and give me support to make my life that bit easier and that is all you can ask for and I am very lucky to have them.”