Mark Doolan qualifies for national Melbourne pool competition

After a decade-long hiatus from national competitions to care for his little girl with cancer, a Nanango tradie has his sights set on the largest eight-ball pool event the nation has ever seen.

After a decade-long hiatus from national competition to care for his little girl, who was diagnosed with cancer, Nanango tradie Mark Doolan has his sights set on the largest eight-ball pool event the nation has ever seen.

A Nanango boilermaker is taking his shot at the Pockets Pro Challenger Eight-ball Pool Championships in Melbourne in May, after a decade-long hiatus from playing his favourite sport to care for his daughter.

Mark Doolan never thought he would compete in eight-ball pool again after his little girl received a devastating cancer diagnosis in 2012,

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The 37 year old’s pool journey began when he was 19, when he was spotted by a local league in Northern Queensland.

Mr Doolan said he competed with the Innisfail Eight-ball Association before representing North Queensland in the City vs. Country Tournament.

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“After my daughter was born we moved to the Gold Coast and in July 2012 she was diagnosed with stage four rhabdomyosarcoma at three years old,” Mr Doolan said.

“We had to move to Brisbane to be close to the hospital and I had to stop competing to care for my daughter,” Mr Doolan said.

The 37 year old’s pool journey began when he was 19 and was spotted by a local league in Northern Queensland.

“My wife has a rare gene which means our two other children are at risk too,” he said.

Mr Doolan’s daughter is now 14 years old and has been in remission for over a decade, and after moving to Nanango in 2017 he began to compete locally again.

“I absolutely rekindled my love for the game and have been lucky enough to be selected in this national competition,” Mr Doolan said.

“I will be the only person in the tournament representing the South Burnett.

“I love the personal satisfaction of making the great shots and putting together the pieces of the puzzle,” he said.

The event is the largest eight-ball pool event to be held in Australia to date and Mr Doolan is seeking sponsorship from local businesses to support his journey.

Mr Doolan said was excited about the opportunity and had been practising shots for hours each day in preparation, with the support of his loving family.

Donations to Mr Doolan’s fundraiser can be made here.