T J Dowling became only the third person to record back-to-back titles in the National Snooker championships, with victory over Douglas Hogan at the Ivy Rooms, Carlow, yesterday.

The 17-year-old from the Classic Snooker Club in Finglas was loose at times with some of his play, but he struck a crucial blow early on when pulling off a successful snooker behind the blue after trailing by 28 points in the third frame with only the colours left.