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Barry was one of the nicest lads you'd ever wish to meet and
profound shock swept through the snooker world in 2002, when he
was killed by a car, while walking home after a night out with
friends.
His closest friend and practice partner, Patrick Wallace,
determined to honour Barry's memory and in August 2003 the first
Barry McNamee Memorial Trophy was staged in his home town of
Dungannon.
Such was the regard in which Barry was held, that all Ireland's
leading players, led by 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty,
participated.
In the mid 1990s Barry moved to England to attempt to pursue a
professional career. He turned pro in 1995 and played until
1998, reaching 299 in the rankings, before returning to the
amateur ranks.
Back home he Dungannon he managed a snooker club but still found
time to win two of Northern Ireland's ranking events in the
1999-2000 season, and also qualified to represent his country in
the European Championships.
In that event in Stirling, he reached the quarter finals and
also achieved an ambition, meeting his snooker hero Stephen
Hendry.
Sadly he never got to achieve his other ambition, of becoming a
first rate golfer.
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