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

ANTHONY BONNAR 4 TOM PLUNKETT 1

Anthony Bonnar of the Northwest Club in Letterkenny won his seventh county snooker title with a convincing win over Donegal Town player Tom Plunkett. A large gallery was present to witness a high standard of snooker from the multiple-champion and despite the wish of the crowd for a home victory, the round of applause at the end was as warm as Anthony has probably ever experienced. He accepted the David Hanna Jr. Cup and a beautiful replica cup from John Hanna of Hanna Hats, as well as a cheque for two hundred pounds sponsored by Super Valu Donegal Town. Anthony thanked everyone for the quality of this year's tournament and maintained that this year's victory meant as much to him as his first title in 1985. Tom spoke for all present when he congratulated the victor on his success and he maintained that Anthony sets the standard for others in the county to attain.

Anthony was certainly up for the final as he was bidding to become the first player to win seven titles. With the confidence that comes in being the reigning Connacht Champion and Derry League Champion, he started the stronger and was quickly into his stride. A series of breaks in the teens won him the first frame and he doubled his advantage in frame two playing controlled and effective snooker. Tom was rattled and the nightmare scenario of a whitewash was on the cards. He dug deep, however, and two breaks in the thirties enabled him to pull back a frame.

Frame four was a crucial one and one incident in particular had a major bearing on the outcome. The reds were open on the table and Tom sank a long pink, only to see the cueball glance of the green and settle into a corner pocket at the other end of the table. Anthony stepped in with a thirty-five break to lead three one, needing one more for victory.

In frame five Anthony was quick to attack and he set his heart on achieving the highest break of the tournament. His control of the cueball was masterful as he reached fifty-seven in no time at all. Unfortunately he over-cut a tough black and the high break prize sponsored by Dunleavy PVC would go to Paddy McGroarty of the CYMS club in Letterkenny who had had an excellent run of 69 in his match with Paul Gallagher. Tom wasn't finished though and fought back to trail by only fourteen but in his attempt to clear the table, he missed an awkward blue and Anthony duly potted both it and the pink to wrap up an impressive victory.

The Chairman of Donegal Town Snooker Club thanked both players for a sporting final and paid tribute to club steward John McGlanaghey for the excellent state of the club's facilities over the duration of the tournament. John Doherty's provision of a clean set of balls as well as gloves, name-tags and score-tags was also much appreciated.

Trophies and cash prizes were awarded to semi-finalists Gerry McCloskey and defending champion Phelim McClafferty, quarter-finalists Paul Doherty, Joe Devine, Gerry McKeever and Paddy McGroarty and the Best Young Player Prize went to thirteen year old Johnny Connors of Letterkenny.

Colin Donnelly of Super Valu congratulated the winner and voiced his appreciation of the recognition Super Valu received from members of the public for sponsoring the tournament. John Hanna, brother of the late David Hanna complimented the various clubs that took part, the talented players, and the excellent organisation of the tournament and expressed the hope that this long-running championship will continue to flourish in the years ahead.

Club Secretary Martin Mulhern complimented the referee Gerry McKeever on his stylish performance, while also thanking the many people who had volunteered to referee games during the competition. He thanked the organising committee consisting of Paul Keeney, Seamus Faulkner and Tom Plunkett for their sterling efforts. He praised the generosity of Super Valu for taking on the role of main sponsor, while also thanking Hanna Hats and the Jim White Hotel Group for their substantial contributions. He was fulsome in his praise of the many other businesses in the town who rose to the occasion in making the competition a viable one, namely Irish Permanent, FBD Insurance, Allied Irish Banks, Abbott Ireland, E&J Oil, Errigal Grill and the Ulster Bank. He invited all present, including the club's regular sponsors to a function hosted by McGroarty's Bar and Jack's hospitality was later enjoyed by one and all!

SUPERVALU

HANNA HATS

JIM WHITE HOTELS McGROARTY'S BAR

F.B.D. INSURANCE

DUNLEVY PVC WINDOWS & DOORS

IRISH PERMANENT E&J OIL

ERRIGAL GRILL ALLIED IRISH BANKS ULSTER BANK ABBOTT IRELAND