Irish Julie Kelly - Biography

Born January 28th in Wexford, Ireland, Julie started playing snooker with her father Andy at age 15. Soon it became very clear that Julie had an incredible talent for the game, which brought her to England to compete on the Women's World Circuit in 1990. Within 7 years playing snooker part-time, while in Ireland herding to her sheep flock, she reached her highest rankings of # 7. Julie has represented Ireland in snooker for years in various events all over the world.

Julie has won seven Irish snooker titles, top finishes in world events in England and won the World Plate Snooker Championships, making Julie one of the best female snooker players ever to come out of Ireland.

Julie comes from a large family of five girls and two boys, raised in the southeast corner of Ireland. With the exception of Julie and her sister Mary (who lives in New Hampshire), the Kelly family still resides in Ireland. Julie's hobbies include watching movies, walking on beaches, and spending time with her family here and in Ireland. She also enjoys a little shopping and having conversations with people whom she knows or not.

Julie has a great personality and a huge happy smile that lights up an entire room. While in Ireland, Julie was awarded the Wexford Sports Star of the Year in 2001, and won the Irish Sports Council's Card of Excellence for both 1998 and 1999.

Early in 1998, Julie took a trip around the world doing snooker exhibitions. While visiting family in Boston en route to Ireland, she checked out the pool situation in America. Julie decided to stay and travel all over America to play in qualifiers for the WPBA Tour. By March of 1999, Julie had qualified and competed in her first event in Valley Forge, PA. Julie made 2000 her break-out year by being possibly the first player to qualify for the World Championship and win the World Ladies 9-ball Championship in Quebec, Canada, in the same year. Julie won the 2004 Cuetec Cues Classic and has had several top finishes, making her the # 3 player in the world in March 2005, which is her highest ranking to date.

Julie continues to work hard on improving her game through competition, doing exhibitions, and giving lessons to others. Julie is just waiting for more great wins, which she knows are just around the corner.

Look out everybody!