LYRIC SNOOKER LEAGUE WEEK 18

North West A maintained their lead at the top by winning 4-0 against Ramelton B. Winners on the night were Pat Bonnar, Gerry McCloskey, Gerry McKeever and Bernard McGuinness, all by 2-0 scorelines. Pat, who is Donegal's highest ranked player at national level had an excellent 55 break in his victory.

CYMS kept up the pressure with a clinical performance against Convoy A. All four home players won. Phelim McClafferty was ably supported by Anthony Duffy, Paddy McGroarty and Player of the Year leader Chris Gibbons.

Donegal drew with North West B in Letterkenny. Tom Plunkett won 2-1 against John Doherty while brother Oliver defeated Steven Black 2-0. Johnny Connors was in superb form, defeating Charlie Murphy 2-0. Paul Thomas fought to the last, but Michael O'Hara edged the last match two one.

Killea and Twin Towns A had a great scrap in Killea. Jack McGranaghan defeated Gerard Lennon 2-1 to put Twin Towns ahead but Shane Grant levelled for the home side, beating the promising youngster Simon Connolly 2-1. Daniel O'Brien won his second match running, defeating Brian Woodrow but the reliable Robert Brown rescued a point for Killea by getting the better of Twin Town's third youngster Jason Browne.

In the final fixture, Ramelton had a comfortable 4-0 victory in Twin Towns against the B side. Kieran Murray's men were imperious and they can still make the top four if they can string a series of wins together.

North West lead the league with 43 points from 16 games. They have four games left while CYMS in second have only three but are a point behind. Donegal lie third on 35, Convoy A have 27, Killea have 25, Ramelton A have 21, North West B are seventh on 20, Twin Towns A have 15, Convoy B have 12, Twin Towns B have 10 and Ramelton B have 2 points.

The league is running a "Night at the Races" this Friday in DeBháird's Bar in Ballybofey, starting at 9p.m. This is an essential fundraiser for what is the only snooker league in the Connacht-Ulster region. The proceeds will fund the county team's participation in the All-Ireland Inter-County Championship held in Kerry in May. That team is getting closer to being finalised with Chris Gibbons, Phelim McClafferty and Gerry McKeever leading the way.

The League has also run a Junior League this season and in the latest match Twin Towns and Donegal drew 2-2 in Ballybofey. Winners for Donegal Town were Conor Browne and Nicholas Culloo with Simon Connolly and Daniel O'Brien replying for Twin Towns. Twin Towns will win the league if Donegal can draw with North West and the Ballybofey men beat Convoy as expected. North West youngster Johnny Connors reached the semi-final of the Irish Under-17 Championships recently, not bad for a 14 year old! Well done Johnny.

Finally, the Donegal League wish Noel McGinley a speedy recovery from his recent illness. Noel organises the Derry League and is a good friend to Donegal clubs. We wish him well.