Limerick Poker Festival – Wrap-Up
Who needs Bulgaria, when we have Castletroy
It was a day of high-stakes drama and clutch plays at the Limerick Main Event, where 212
entries battled it out over more than 12 hours of No-Limit Hold’em action. From early bust-outs to tense final-table showdowns, the tournament had it all but in the end, one player rose above the rest.
Alexander Tarum dominated from the very start of the final table, carrying a commanding chip lead that seemed untouchable. Hand after hand, he navigated the field with precision, rarely giving opponents an opening and never seeming to lose a pot. His relentless control and sharp strategy earned him the €9,000 top prize, leaving the rest of the field chasing shadows.
Meanwhile, hometown hero David “Panda” Fitzpatrick staged one of the most thrilling
comebacks of the day. At one point, he was down to just three big blinds, but through gutsy plays and unwavering determination, he clawed his way back to finish third place for €3,800, electrifying the local crowd. Eddie Ryan finished second for €5,700.
Late on the festival shifted to Omaha 7-Max, a €150 pot-limit showdown. Sam Zheng
showcased his Omaha skills, grinding out a win for €860, with Killian Farrell finishing second for €430. Michael Fitzgerald claimed third, rounding out a tidy prize distribution in a fast-paced, short-format event.
From the epic grind of the Main Event to the lightning-fast Omaha showdown, September 6 was a day of poker mastery, and memorable comebacks. Tarum, Panda, and Zheng all left their mark on a festival full of competitive fire and trademark IPT energy.
To finish out the evening the €5k NLH event on Saturday evening brought 46 players together for a 7-hour battle of skill and endurance, with a €5,520 prize pool up for grabs.
After a long and intense grind, Geoffrey McClay emerged victorious, taking down €2,000 and 500 points with a commanding performance. Keith O’Connor finished second for €1,200, while Tom Walsh secured third place for €900. Gastao Silva from Portugal claimed fourth (€700), and Marcus Lyons rounded out the top five (€500).
Next stop for us is the Donegal Poker Festival on September 12th-14th at the Radisson Hotel .