September 7, 2024
As anyone who was there could tell you, our first ranking event was not the raging success we always hope and strive for. There was some miscommunication within the executive committee, and we all take responsibility for that. For the confusion and disappointment to the members, we offer our sincerest apologies.
Moving forward, we have adjusted the structure to make the process easily understandable by the members, and more simply managed by those helping to run the tournaments.
Tournament Structure:
All entries (maximum of 64) for each tournament will be ranked by the committee based on previous rankings, previous team placement and a system of promotion/relegation from the previous tournament. We will not always have the same people at every event in every level, but using this system will keep an even number of people in each group.
The groups in the tournament will be A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1 and D2. Assuming we have 64 entered, each group will have 8 players, starting from the A1 group, and then the rest filled in based on the rankings of the players entered (as stated above.) However, if there are fewer than 64 entries, there will still be 8 groups, but we will do groups of 7 (or 6, if need be.)
Each group will be in a round-robin format, playing 4 frames, total, in each match. Shot clocks will be used at the discretion of the committee, as the goal is to have 4 frames done in 20 minutes. In no case will any match go longer than 30 minutes. At the end of 30 minutes, whatever the score is will be entered and the match finished in CueScore.
Points within the groups will be based on frames won, then by frames lost, Avg (how many frames you won divided by total number of frames played) and then head-to-head, if needed. This is how the bracket will be displayed on CueScore.
After the groups are finished, there will be a playoff which will include the top 2 from each group. There will be separate playoffs for the C&D groups together, and then for the A&B groups together. No extra points will be given for these matches, but the winner, runner- up, and semi-finalists in both sets of playoffs will receive €100, €50 & €25, respectively.
Ranking Points:
After the tournament, points will be given based on your position within your group. Maximum points, to the leader of A1 are 67, point for last place in A1 are 60. Then, first place in A2 gets 60 points, as well.
Points per grouping:
A1: 67-60
A2: 60-53
B1: 53-46
B2: 46-39
C1: 39-32
C2: 32-25
D1: 25-18
D2: 18-11
Please keep in mind that there are only a few of us that actually do the tournament management, so if one of the committee members are playing a match, please do not interrupt them to ask procedural questions. There will be others available.
It would also be helpful if a couple of the A&B players would make themselves available to help with managing the C&D events in the morning. The new structure means that everyone will play a lot more frames, but this also means that the A&B playoffs probably won’t start until about 9pm.
Lastly, so that everyone is aware, the following are the guidelines for All-Ireland team selection:
Players wishing to represent Donegal:
-Must be a fully paid member of the DPA.
-Must play in a minimum of 2 qualifiers if you live within the country of Ireland.
-Must play in at least one qualifier if you live outside the country of Ireland.
-1st place from the men’s and ladies’ singles Donegal championship qualifies to an A team position.
-Winner and runner up of the men’s Premier winter league qualify for the men’s A team.
-First 4 places on the ladies’ winter league qualify for the A Team.
-The remaining team places are to be taken from the rankings.
-The main ranking will apply to the main 4 teams with separate rankings for the ladies, over 50’s and over 60’s.
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