CYMS win the title
CYMS of Letterkenny are the new Lyric Donegal Snooker League champions following the final round of fixtures in the 22-week season. Needing to win in Donegal Town, CYMS fell short of that target in only managing a two-all draw. Charlie Murphy of Donegal Town put the home side ahead by defeating Paddy McGroarty but Chris Gibbons levelled matters in comprehensively out-potting Michael Neary. Tom Plunkett then did the double over Phelim McClafferty having won earlier in the season in Letterkenny. Aidan Devanney was in top form, winning the final match against Oliver Plunkett with the aid of two breaks of 42 and 43. It seemed that the title had once again gone to reigning champions North West Snooker Club as they had a home match with eighth-placed Twin Towns A and were expected to win. A phone call to Letterkenny put CYMS in seventh heaven as they learned that Twin Towns had done them a massive favour in drawing with North West, leaving the home side one point behind CYMS. Dan Deery and Jack McGranaghan had both won for the Ballybofey men and the winning efforts of Joe Devine and Gerry McKeever were to no avail.
Congratulations to CYMS then on winning their first title in several years and North West deserve praise also for their contribution to an exciting climax to the season. Donegal Town finish in third spot.
The race for the final Top Four place was won by Convoy A, as expected. They defeated Ramelton B 4-0 in Ramelton, while fifth-placed Killea won 3-1 against Twin Towns B. Victors on the night for Convoy were Darren Ponsonby, John Lynch, Justin Lynch and Willie Breen. Killea's winning men were Robert Brown, Brian Woodrow and Gerald Lennon, with Christopher McGee replying for Twin Towns B.
In the final match, Convoy B received a walkover from North West B.
FINAL TABLE
|
pl |
w |
d |
l |
f |
a |
d |
pts |
||
|
1 |
CYMS |
20 |
15 |
4 |
1 |
61 |
19 |
42 |
49 |
|
2 |
NORTH WEST A |
20 |
15 |
3 |
2 |
61 |
19 |
42 |
48 |
|
3 |
DONEGAL |
20 |
12 |
7 |
1 |
55 |
25 |
30 |
43 |
|
4 |
CONVOY A |
20 |
10 |
4 |
6 |
43 |
37 |
6 |
34 |
|
5 |
KILLEA |
20 |
9 |
6 |
5 |
49 |
31 |
18 |
33 |
|
6 |
NORTH WEST B |
20 |
7 |
5 |
8 |
40 |
40 |
0 |
26 |
|
7 |
RAMELTON A |
20 |
6 |
4 |
10 |
37 |
43 |
-6 |
22 |
|
8 |
TWIN TOWNS A |
20 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
37 |
43 |
-6 |
20 |
|
9 |
CONVOY B |
20 |
4 |
5 |
11 |
28 |
52 |
-24 |
17 |
|
10 |
TWIN TOWNS B |
20 |
2 |
5 |
13 |
18 |
62 |
-44 |
11 |
|
11 |
RAMELTON B |
20 |
0 |
2 |
18 |
11 |
69 |
-58 |
2 |
The Player of the Year for 2000-2001 is Chris Gibbons of the CYMS club. He was outstanding all season, winning 19 matches out of 20 and only losing 4 frames. A worthy champion!
|
PL |
FF |
FA |
FD |
W |
|||
|
1 |
Gibbons Christopher |
CYMS |
20 |
38 |
4 |
34 |
19 |
|
2 |
McClafferty Phelim |
CYMS |
20 |
37 |
9 |
28 |
17 |
|
3 |
Tom Plunkett |
Donegal |
18 |
34 |
8 |
26 |
17 |
|
4 |
McKeever Gerry |
North West A |
20 |
35 |
10 |
25 |
17 |
|
5 |
Brown Robert |
Killea |
19 |
32 |
10 |
22 |
16 |
Johnny Whyte's break of 110 was the highest break during the campaign. Congratulations Johnny!
Donegal Town drew 2-2 with North West in the first leg of their Top Four semi-final. Winners on the night for Donegal were Oliver Plunkett, who took the scalp of Anthony Bonnar and Charlie Murphy, who gained revenge for his County Championship exit by defeating Joe Devine. Gerry McCloskey and Gerry McKeever ensured an interesting second leg by getting the better of Michael Neary and Terry Mullin.
The other semi-final first leg saw champions CYMS win 3-1 against Convoy A. Willie Breen was the sole winner for Convoy, while Phelim McClafferty, Chris Gibbons and Adrian McFadden won for the visitors. The final looks very much like it will be a North West/CYMS affair.
The County League are running an Under 17 County Championship on May 5th. It will be hosted this year by North West Snooker Club. Entrants must have been 16 or under on the 31st of December, 2000 and must be resident in the county. The entry fee is £2 and should be in by May 1st. Anyone interested in participating should contact North West at 074-21384.
The Knock-Out Cups are already underway and it is envisaged to have all competitions finished by the end of May. Details of the draws for both the senior and junior cups can be found at the clubs or on the Donegal Snooker Website. Just search for Donegal Snooker in a search engine to locate it.
The Connacht Grand Slam will be held in the Savoy Century Snooker Club in Ballina on Sunday, 29th of April. The entry fee is £8 and full dress is compulsory. Entries to Bernard McGuinness at North West Snooker Club.
Finally, Dan McLaughlin is in our prayers at this time and we wish him a full recovery from his recent illness.