The David Hanna Jr. Cup

A GERRY McCLOSKEY 2 PAUL DOHERTY 1

B ANTHONY BONNAR 2 GERRY McKEEVER 1

TUESDAY THE 23^RD OF MAY 8 P.M.

C PHELIM McCLAFFERTY 2 JOE DEVINE 1

D TOM PLUNKETT 2 PADDY McGROARTY 0

WEDNESDAY THE 24^TH OF MAY 8 P.M.

The quarter finals were tight affairs with all but one going to the final frame.

Defending champion Phelim McClafferty struggled to contain Joe Devine in the first two frames but he showed a champion's fortitude in the decider by accumulating a run of 51 and that was sufficient to see off a gallant opponent.

Six times champion Anthony Bonner was in trouble early on against an in-form Gerry McKeever who had played so well in County Donegal's progression to the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Inter County Championships held last weekend in Tralee. Gerry should have won the first frame but a break of 40 in the second set up a decider. How many times though has Anthony dug deep to win in difficult circumstances? Two sizeable breaks enabled him to forge ahead in frame three, a lead he wouldn't relinquish.

The third Letterkenny man to reach the semi-final was Gerry McCloskey who, for the second year running has set up a meeting with Anthony Bonner. He will be hoping for a better return this year and if his current form holds up he will prove an extremely tough nut to crack. He squeezed out a two one victory over long-time rival Paul Doherty, the highlight being a fabulous long blue which left his opponent needing a snooker.

Tom Plunkett of Donegal Town ensured that Letterkenny players wouldn't have it all their own way by defeating Paddy McGroarty two nil. Paddy never got going and breaks of 31 and 40 saw Tom home.

So the semi-finals see Tom taking on Phelim and Gerry playing Anthony. Both matches begin at eight on Wednesday night and first to three frames will reach the final on Friday.

WEDNESDAY THE 24^TH OF MAY 8 P.M.

FRIDAY THE 26^TH OF MAY 7.30 P. M.

NW DGL

The final of the Millennium County Snooker Championship will be contested by six times champion Anthony Bonner of the Northwest club in Letterkenny and first time finalist Tom Plunkett of Donegal Town. The match begins at seven-thirty on Friday the 26^th in the Donegal Town Snooker Club. All are welcome to watch what should be an entertaining final.

Anthony defeated Gerry McCloskey three nil in a semi-final in which Gerry never got going. Anthony was in control for most of the time but Gerry can look back on a championship in which he played exceptionally well and took some notable scalps.

Tom Plunkett dethroned reigning champion Phelim McClafferty with a three one victory. The first frame was scrappy and Tom snatched it at the death. Phelim hit back in frame two with some excellent potting but Tom hit back to win frame three. In the fourth frame Tom was in magnificent form and opened up a big lead that Phelim was unable to close. He was a worthy champion in 1999 and he will undoubtedly be back contesting the final stages next year.

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