DONEGAL TOWN SNOOKER CLUB

The Plunkett brothers retained their title when they defeated Paul Cannon and Terry Mullin in the final of the Open Pairs Pool Championship sponsored by The Blue Stack, The Dew Drop Inn, The National and Jimmy's Tavern. A large gallery witnessed some excellent potting as all four players showed why they were in the final. Oliver Plunkett beat Terry three nil, maintaining his 100% record in singles matches throughout the competition. Tom Plunkett had to dig deep to overcome Paul. Having lost the opening rack, he won the next three on the spin. The club thanks its sponsors for coming on board for a second year in succession and hope that the quality of pool played justified their outlay.

Damien Hanna won the first tournament of the new millennium in an exciting snooker match witnessed by a large gallery. His opponent Tom Plunkett could have few complaints as Damien showed what a fine competitor he is.

After taking the opening frame, Damien then compiled a fine break of 26 to go further ahead. Tom wasn't putting up much of a fight and extraordinary measures were called for if he was to avoid a whitewash. He dug deep in frame three and delighted the spectators by constructing a break of 73, only being denied a total clearance by a jawed brown. Buoyed by this success he started the next frame in similar fashion. This time he pulled out a 64 break quickly followed by a 26. The deciding frame began with a 23 break by Tom but things went awry soon afterwards and Damien showed why he was a member of Donegal's winning league teams in the eighties. He compiled two breaks in the high teens and finally shook off Tom's challenge.

Sean McCafferty presented the cup to Damien who becomes the latest member of the Hanna family to enter the winner's enclosure in the long history of the club.

TOP FOUR SEMI-FINAL

Defending champions Donegal Town were handed a five nil victory in the first leg of the Top Four semi-final when Ramelton failed to appear... in Ramelton. A repeat of last year's final seems to be on the cards unless Killea can upset Northwest A in the other semi.

Francis Cassidy narrowly won his opening match, defeating Michael Hunt in three frames. Other first round winners included Sean McCauley, Aidy Wilson, and Paul Keeney.

James McAllister overcame his great rival Sean McCauley in a titanic quarter-final match which went to the wire. Both players had their chances but James dug deep to come from behind and win. Also through to the semi-final is Paddy Kelly who will take some stopping.

Tom Plunkett had a mixed week in two match-play events held in Derry and Letterkenny. He lost two one to Connacht runner-up Aidan Devanney in the quarter final of the Raymond Burke Trophy, a competition exclusively for the top eight players in the Derry League. He then defeated Anthony Duffy in the CYMS Open before losing three two to the eventual winner Pat Bonnar of Letterkenny in the semi-final. Pat had two 40 plus breaks in a match which would have made an excellent final. The club congratulates Pat, as he is the only player from County Donegal ranked in the top 32 in Ireland. His current ranking is 25.

The club congratulates 13 year old John Connors from Letterkenny on achieving a break of 101 recently. He is some prospect and his battles with talented Donegal Town youths will be interesting in the years ahead. Local lad Shane Faulkner compiled breaks of 70 and 78 recently, while Charlie Murphy's break of 133 remains the benchmark break for all aspiring players.

The club also welcomes the return of Ballybofey Snooker Club to the scene and they hope to renew competitive rivalries in the months ahead.