NUMEROUS OTHER MEMBERS COVERED FOR CARETAKERS WHEN THEY WERE UNAVAILABLE.

A club can only survive if it is properly managed and the Snooker Club was fortunate to have had excellent caretakers down the years. Johnny McHugh of the New Row looked after the place in the 50s and 60s and Patsy Meehan remembers him as a very nice person who took great pride in his responsibility. Johnny retired as caretaker of the Four Masters Social Club Rooms (as the venue was called) on 29 March, 1963 and he was succeeded by ex-Garda John McMahon of Quay St. He remained the steward through the 60s and 70s with Jim Keeney looking after the place in the late 70s and early 80s. Alfie Simms Jnr. took over from Jim on his retirement and in 1999 John McGlanaghey became the custodian. Many other people acted as caretakers down the years, some for longer periods than others. Among these were Sean McCauley, Packie Hanna, Alfie Simms Snr. Alec Buchanan, Tommy O'Donnell, James Murphy, Tim McMullin, Paul Thomas and Danny Martin (a former vice-chairman and after whom the Christmas competition is named). Others, especially committee members also covered for caretakers when they were unavailable. Peter Meehan, a local tailor did repairs to the cloth but thankfully these weren't a frequent necessity. Abbey Billiards (now owned by Riley) was the company that usually covered the tables and supplied equipment, while the late Acky James of Letterkenny and Tommy Taylor (father of Denis) were also called in on occasion.

The club was usually open seven days a week from 6.30 p.m. till 11.30 p.m. although, as the weather improved, the opening time advanced to 7 or 8 o'clock. The club opened for longer on Wednesdays and Sundays, depending on the demand. The season lasted roughly from September to May although sometimes the club would open in the summer should the demand arise. It was invariably closed in August.

Caring for snooker equipment has usually been the preserve of the club caretaker although some members were expert at putting on tips and would be called upon at regular intervals. Long ago, wafers were soaked in hot water to soften them and, when placed under the leather tips, they acted as a shock absorber. Cleary's and Abbey Billiards of Dublin were good shops for purchasing cues while Tommy Taylor in Coalisland also sold the club cues. Some like Tommy O'Donnell had distinctive cues. Nowadays one can spend anything up to £500 for a cue although the most expensive cues seen in the club were around the £100 mark.