Donegal Town was the venue for the County Snooker Championships and the club rose to the occasion in no uncertain terms. Forty-four players entered and the competition was fierce and ultra-competitive with shocks galore! There was local involvement on the playing side right up to the closing stages and this added to the excitement and expectation as final night approached.

Match of the first weekend was the encounter between 13 year-old century boy Johnny Connors from Letterkenny and Mick DeWard of Twintowns. A break of thirty by the young lad on a slick table was one of the highlights of his narrow win over a feisty opponent. 1996 champion Jack McGranaghan was in awesome form and disposed of local hope Shane Faulkner in two quick frames. Other notable scalps included Oliver Plunkett who succumbed to young Anthony Duffy of the CYMS club and Paul Thomas who was narrowly defeated by John Doherty of Northwest. Donegal Town had two winners with Declan Ryle edging Aidan McGee two-one and Martin Mulhern easing past Mathew McAuley of Twin Towns.

The seeding for the County Championship was validated with all but one of the last sixteen progressing into the third round on the second weekend. The unfortunate loser was local hope Charlie Murphy who succumbed two one to Ballybofey man Dan Deery. The biggest break on the Saturday was a 37 clearance by twenty-one year old Niall McDaid in the second frame of his losing tussle with Tom Plunkett. The eventual winner Anthony Bonnar went three better on the Sunday in amassing a run of 40. He needed it as young Chris Gibbons pushed him all the way to the final black.

The match of the third round was the encounter between Anthony Bonnar and Jack McGranaghan. The two former champions served up a classic duel in which Anthony eventually came out on top. Paddy McGroarty was in scintillating form in eliminating multiple champion Paul Gallagher. His run of 69 in the final frame was as assured as it was polished. Young Johnny Connors couldn't stop the march of defending champion Phelim McClafferty who proved too hot on the night for the thirteen-year-old. Gerry McCloskey was clinical in disposing of third seed Pat Bonnar in two frames. Other winners included Paul Doherty who is potting as well as ever, Joe Devine whose centuries have raised his confidence level immeasurably, Gerry McKeever who is ageing like fine wine and finally Tom Plunkett who was Donegal Town's last hope in this year's championship.

The quarterfinals 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. Anthony Bonnar 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 the previous 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 Donegal-based ambulance driver Gerry McCloskey who for the second year running set up a meeting with Anthony Bonnar. 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.

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 replied 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.

Anthony Bonnar of the Northwest Club in Letterkenny won his seventh county snooker title with a convincing final win over 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, nametags 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 and sartorial elegance, 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!