New champion to compete in Ireland (From Free Press Series)

New champion to compete in Ireland

NEWLY-crowned Welsh under-21 individual champion David Donovan travels to Ireland this weekend to compete the European Team Cup, taking place from March 18 - March 26.

Along with five fellow Welshmen, Donovan, 20, will be looking to continue his good run of form. He recently secured a trip to Dubai in August 2006 to take on the best in the world after proving himself as the brightest young talent in Welsh snooker.

Donovan, from New Inn, did so by recently winning the under-21 title at Trecenydd Snooker Club in Caerphilly; coming through the group stage and a semi-final against Aled Brothers before beating Jordan Steins 3-2 in the final. He now adds the under-21 crown to his previous triumphs at under-15, under-17 and under-19 levels to become the undisputed top young player in Wales.

And Donovan also has cause to believe he can challenge the world's best in Dubai after a great performance at the World Amateur Championships, held at Prestatyn last month.

Up against 79 other hopefuls from all age groups, Donovan won nine group stage games straight to enter the last 32 as the top ranked amateur left in the competition. He later dispatched of two more opponents before falling to Scotsman Mark Boyle in the quarter-finals.