Darryl Hill: U21 champion in Malta-2015 brings back the good memories

This time, he will not leave Malta with the trophy and the crown but there’s plenty of reasons for Island of Man’s Darryl Hill smiles every single minute on the Mediterranean island and country: 8 years ago, Hill got the U21 european Championshp also at St. Paul’s Bay Dolmen Hotel by claiming victory in the final facing England’s Louis Heathcote by 6 Frames to 3.

Eight years ago and now: Darry Hill at St. Paul’s Bay Dolmen Hotel but this time he’s already out at the Men’s competition

«I was 17 years. Brings back the good memories. I feel a little like Michael J. Fox in ‘Back to Future’ saga, or, in this case, ‘Back to the Past’. I played really well, might not be one of the top 3 favorites to win it but I did it’. I always remind the semi facing Lukas Kleckers [Germany]: I was trailing from 4-1 down and claimed victory in the decider with four frames in a row for my side [5-4]», Darryl, now aged 26, told us just after he knew he is out in the Men’s 2023 competition after the round-robin stage.

Kazimierz Olejniczak, Desi Stinson and Neil Shanahan with Hill: «Yes, this gentleman were in some of my matches»

«Lost two matches, to Jamie Curtis-Barrett and Alfie Davies, in Group AA, got 3rd on the board. Not enough. I guess I’m not the player I used to be anymore. But I remember this places. I get on with my life and it was an extreme joy to be back to Malta», told us the happy owner of a seven table Snooker Academy called Cue Zone, in Basallalla, just a fez miles away from Isle of Man’s capital, Douglas.

He was 17 in 2015, when he won the U21 here at the same venue; he’s 26 now and has an Academy

«Every step in Malta is a journey into my past. After getting the title and the crown, and the 2 years on the main tour, I took my space to do another kind of thing but in the end the passion and the heart have spoken so… here I’am again. Even already sacked, I’ll promenade on the island and intend to see the final. I remember being in Liam Graham’s shoes, the U21 european title was one of the happiest moments of my life and Malta is in my heart», underlines a happy businessman… and still a tremendous competitor at the table.