The top three continued their winning ways in the latest round of matches in the Lyric League. CYMS maintained their grip on the premier position with a hard-earned win in Ballybofey. The Twin Towns A side put up a good show with the unheralded Simon Connolly giving his side hope by defeating Anthony Duffy. In the big match, 1989 county champion Phelim McClafferty defeated 1996 champion Jack McGranaghan. This result boosted CYMS who went on to take the remaining matches through Paddy McGroarty and Chris Gibbons.
North West demolished an excellent Convoy A side in Letterkenny. Performance of the night came from Gerry McKeever who belied his age in recording a magnificent break of 71 in his win over Willie Breen. The previous week's hero Gerry McCloskey defeated Convoy captain Darren Ponsonby two nil. Joe Devine and Bernard McGuinness (who had a break of 41) completed the scoring for North West.
Donegal Town overcame the challenge of Killea thanks to a mercurial performance from old-timer Paul Thomas. He took the scalp of Robert Brown in a pulsating encounter, which was enjoyed by all present. Oliver Plunkett needed to dig deep to defeat Shane Grant in three frames, while neither Tom Plunkett nor Brian Woodrow got going in Tom's two nil victory. On another night Gerard Lennon's excellent comeback against Michael Neary would have garnered the plaudits but a three one deficit was scant consolation to Killea.
Ramelton A continued their fine form with a three one win away to Convoy B. Kieran Murray beat Gavin Toner two one with Andy Doherty replying for the home team. Philip and Mark Friel ensured a happy trip back to Ramelton by taking the last two matches, both winning two nil.
North West B got back to winning ways by defeating Twin Towns B four nil. John Doherty had a battle with Marcus Devlin before edging home while Jim Osbourne, Brian McAleer and Johnny Connors were more emphatic, all three winning two nil.
In the Player of the Year competition, Chris Gibbons moved onto 13 wins, closely followed by Phelim McClafferty on 12. Tom Plunkett and Gerry McKeever have 11 apiece with a game in hand. Four players are on 10 wins. Gerry McKeever's break of 71 was the fourth highest in the league to date, only beaten by Phelim McClafferty's 78, Charlie Murphy's 84 and Johnny Whyte's 110. All breaks, reports, tables and Player of the Year standings can be found on the league's website...just type "Donegal snooker" in any search engine to locate the site.
In the Junior League Twin Towns stunned North West four nil in Letterkenny. Simon Connolly's men were rampant against an admittedly depleted North West side and they will feel that they can go on from here to capture the inaugural title. They have 7 points along with Donegal but have a game in hand. North West have 6 points and Convoy have yet to register a point despite some stirring performances against more experienced opponents. Simon and Conor Brown from Donegal lead the Player of the Year standings with three wins apiece.