World Eight-Ball Pool Championships: Albany’s Andy Barnett promises to help Australia win title in final fling

Albany’s Andy Barnett kicked off Australia’s World Eight-Ball Pool Championships this week promising his side were going to take the competition by storm. Australia finished sixth in the 2024 championships and Barnett is hoping to do better in Ennis, Ireland where the event runs until September 4. “This is the next best team to the one which won in 2016,” he said. “We have stuck together as a group, and we are confident. “I wouldn’t be here unless I thought we could win.” Barnett has lived in Albany for a year but made an instant impression when he arrived at the Stirling Club. So much so that it was funds raised at a Bucket for Barnett appeal during the club’s winter presentations evening that have helped pay for his trip to Ireland. This is set to be Barnett’s final international trip for pool. “I’m 45 now and it’s definitely a young man’s game,” he said. “I’m settled in Albany with the family so it’s time to finish.” He played internationally for England but is now firmly in the Australian camp. “England is where we visit, Australia is definitely home,” he said. Australia kicked off their campaign against New Zealand on Wednesday before facing the rest of the 15-strong field in round-robin competition. If they can finish in the top two, they will go to directly to the semifinals. Nations who finish in spots three to six will face each other in knockout matches with two semifinal berths at stake. All matches are the best of 21 frames with the final on September 4.