League snooker has its ups and downs and last week was no different. The juniors went to North West full of enthusiasm for the inaugural round of the County Junior League and returned empty handed following a three one defeat. Johnny Connors is undoubtedly the best young player in the county and our lads saw this for themselves during the match. The standard of snooker in the county is rising fast and it is up to our lads to respond by practising more diligently and with greater focus. The sole winner was Conor Browne.
The senior team scored their best ever Derry away result beating Oak Grove B five one. Tom Plunkett has returned to something like his form of last year and he confirmed this with a two nil win. Michael Neary wasn't at his best but when his A game isn't functioning, he possesses the experience to change tactics mid-match and last Monday was no exception. He ran out a two nil winner against a tricky opponent, while Oliver Plunkett maintained his unbeaten Derry record by drawing his match.
The Donegal League was a different story with precious points dropped against the team second from bottom. Tom and Oliver put the lads two up but Michael and Terry Mullin met two fine young players in Johnny Connors and Michael O'Hara and the result was a fair one.Oliver is in fine form and sits in third place in the Player of the Year ladder despite playing a game less than the leaders.
In matters domestic, Daniel McGarrigle won the recent logo competition and his prize of a year's free snooker is already being enjoyed. The low entry shows that the tiger economy must be alive and kicking still!
The Inter-Firms is reaching the nitty-gritty stage with several teams through to the quarter-finals. The Voyage came through against a courageous young Cassidy team while Coach House A won by the narrowest of margins against the Star Bar. The National A team had to survive a tense shootout with Timony Picture Moulding before triumphing while Jimmy's Tavern got the better of the Abbey Hotel despite arriving with only three players. Donegal Heating and Plumbing were comfortable winners over Super Valu and they will fancy their chances of progressing further.
Members are advised to pay their annual subscription promptly as the cut-off date set by the A.G.M. has passed. More details of this and other snookering activity in the club and county can be found by typing "Donegal Town Snooker" in the search window of any internet search engine. 400 hits since August shows the interest that exists in this neck of the woods.