A Special Shout Out To Mr. Tom McGonagle

Kickin' Chicken

Kickin' Chicken

Kick Shot Aficionado
Silver Member
Hey Tom;

Congrats on your showing at Turning Stone. I know that you would have loved for it to have lasted a little longer, but, that's how it goes in pool sometimes.

The match I watched between you and Max Eberle was incredible. For you, anyone for that matter, to get up 7-1 on Max is a big deal. Your position play and speed control made it look like you had whitey on a string. Magnificent! The few times that you got out of line, you came with great shots to fix the problem.

You were reading the patterns like the Sunday newspaper and executing beautifully. And what a clinic you put on regarding safety play. You had Max wearing stripes pretty much the entire first half of the match. How impressive!

Max Eberle, as we all know, doesn't need too many opportunities back at the table to achieve some success. And the scant few chances you gave him at mid-match, he sure made the best of it.

I watched as you missed a fairly routine ball into the corner that would have left you straight in on the nine for the match. Not sure if it was nerves, excitement, or what, maybe you will let us know, if you care to.

Max will likely never forget this match as he knows he sidestepped a high caliber bullet in this one.

Seeing you play at that high level was especially enjoyable for me. And listening to you in the commentators booth during a subsequent match, letting us know that because of the AzB/Accustat stream, your sister was able to see you play pool for the first time ever, well that was just terrific. So, I guess she now knows you got game. ;)

Tom, your performance at Turning Stone provides hope for all of us 'older' players and, in fact, should make every member of AzB very proud. It certainly did me!

Best,
Brian kc
 
I also enjoyed that match and I must say KC nailed it Your knowledge base and touch were top notch. I hope Max was paying attention to how easy & effective defense is when it is played to perfection. I bet everyone who watched that match learned a little about playing safe from a master. Nice work Tom.
 
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Yup, Mr. McG can play a bit. He got ahead of me one time 7-0. I was poised to make an Eberle-like comeback but for the fact that the match had ended. Good showing, Tommy!
 
Great job Tom. I however was unimpressed......the reason being is that I have watched you play at that level and higher against world class players for years and seen it many, many times. For those whom this was the 1st time seeing you play, that was no fluke Tom really plays a great game. I was however very impressed w/ having you in the commentary booth. Simple, concise, and insightful and I think you would do very well in future commentary endeavors. It is nice to see some of the "elder statesman" of the game still w/ plenty of bullets in the gun and passing on some kernels of knowledge. Better luck next time and Merry Christmas.
 
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Brian,

What you have written here, more than makes up for losing a very touch match to Max.

I don't feel I choked up at the end of my match. When I looked at the eight-ball shot the first time, I backed off the shot because I didn't like the picture I was seeing of the shot. I was playing it to the outside of the pocket because I had done some commentary and saw some shots barely touch the side rail and spit out of the pocket.

The second time I went in to shoot, I saw the same picture and figured I was lined up properly. As we all know, I wasn't. The six ball shot the following rack was pretty much the same thing. That's the way it goes, I guess.

I usually seal the deal. In this case I didn't. Max got back in the match and sat me down for long periods of time. The mistakes he made in the beginnig of the match, were the same ones I made at the end.

It made for good streaming and the fact that my sister got to see me play, is all that really matters to me.

Thanks for the great post in your thread, Brian. You're a great friend.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
 
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Kudos Tom. Seeing you play for the first time after I've I've come to know of and read from you was "nice to put the bloke's pool stroke to his keyboard stroke". You have a great game and I was pulling for you. Best of rolls going forward.

A new fan,

Matt
 
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