Aoife set to don green shirt at World Cup in Morocco
Maitiu Monaghan
Local pool player, Aoife King, is preparing to travel to Morocco to represent Ireland in the World Pool Championships.
The County Cavan woman finished third in the Irish rankings, to qualify for the competition later this month.
Speaking to the Celt this week, Aoife explained how growing up her mother, Helen, was an avid pool player who won a number of All-Ireland medals.
Helen has “packed the cue away” now, but Aoife emphasised how being exposed to her mother’s success played an important role in her development.
Aoife herself had “no real interest” in the sport growing up but spent a lot of time with a cue in her hand, laying the foundations for what was to come.
In 2017, the Cavan manager approached the family about Aoife possibly competing in the All-Ireland competition. Reluctantly, Aoife accepted and went on to win the competition.
The sport has really taken off in recent years, with increased audiences on TV and at competitions.
Just over three years ago, Aoife began to play more seriously, participating in competitions, and practicing regularly.
“It is completely different to playing pool on a Friday night,” Aoife said. “You can’t stop to have a chat or things like that.”
The Cavan native believes that 70% of pool is mental, while the other 30% takes practice.
Aoife explained self-belief and positive self-talk play a massive role as she prepares for major competitions.
“Going into a competition, it is very important to get the mentality right. Everyone has a routine to get their head in the game.
“I just look at how I talk to myself, about my game, about pool. I try and go in with confidence and play the best pool that I can,” Aoife said.
The World Championships in Morocco will certainly test Aoife. It is a gruelling competition, played over two weeks with early starts and late nights.
“After a full day’s playing, your heart rate is up, and you’ve been focussed and concentrating, you feel like you’ve ran a marathon,” she joked.
Last Thursday, the Cavan Pub Pool League hosted a fundraiser competition to support Aoife to travel to Morocco for the World Championships.
A large crowd attended on the night, to wish her well as she prepares to go off an represent Ireland on the global stage.