The club is currently in the off-season although the numbers playing are still substantial. A junior league is running throughout the summer.
Vincent Granaghan defeated Joe Gillespie by two frames to nil in the final of the Harry Diver Cup. As an old sparring partner of Harry's, this was a special moment for him. Both players played well with the first frame proving to be a very close affair. Joe led throughout but a final break of 18 saw Vincent home. Vincent started the final frame in fine fashion and won it comfortably in the end. Joe was a deserving finalist and it was nice to see a new face in the latter stages of the competition. There is no truth to the rumour that Joe has challenged Vincent to a doubles-or-quits match at Murvagh! Club Chairman Kieran Temple thanked the players for the quality of the final and Paul Thomas for officiating so expertly. The losing semi-finalists were Jack Keeney and Alan Ramsay.
Oliver Plunkett won the Canon McMullin Cup for the second time in three years when he easily defeated his brother in the final. The scoreline of three-two flattered Tom for he was never really at the races. Oliver was always able to step up a gear. He potted fluently and found the top cushion with regularity on his safety shots. Tom led twice through mistakes made by his younger brother but in the final frame, he charged into a big lead, which he was never to relinquish. It was a disappointing way for Tom to end his time in the club but he was beaten by the better competitor. Oliver got married recently and this trophy was a nice way to round off a successful period for him. The losing semi-finalists were Brian Heeney and Paul Thomas.
Terry Mullin and Paul Cannon dethroned the Plunkett brothers in the final of the Pool Pairs Championship recently. The brothers had won the first two tournaments but with Tom in poor form of late and Terry and Paul playing great pool, this was going to be a great opportunity to avenge last year's final defeat. So it proved and Paul got the lads off to a great start, easily disposing of Tom in four racks. Oliver had to dig deep to come from behind against Terry but he did so thanks to some outstanding cueball control. Terry missed a great opportunity to win the doubles and so the title, but he missed the black in the second rack, allowing Tom to snatch an equaliser. Oliver potted all but one red in the decider but, in trying to double the final one, he inadvertently potted the black, which handed victory to his opponents. Congratulations to the lads and to Cathal and Keith Mulhern who won the Best Young Players award. The beaten semi-finalists were Ernie and Gary Spencer and Damien Hanna and Michael Gallagher.
Kevin Cassidy won the Hanna Hats Cup defeating Kevin Mulhern over two high quality frames. Both players potted fluently but the eventual winner potted more blacks and that proved the difference in the end. Nevertheless, Master Mulhern can be very proud of his achievement in reaching the final while still a primary school pupil. The beaten semi-finalists were Ciaran O' Reilly and Gary Gillespie.
The club wishes to thank all its sponsors over the past season and we hope that the club has always presented them in a positive light. We'd be lost without them.
This P.R.O. wishes to thank the Donegal Times for publishing his notes without fail over the past three years. Long may you prosper! Conor Sinclair deserves a special mention, as he has always been willing to come in to the club to photograph competition winners, often at short notice and at ungodly hours. Thanks Conor. The P.R.O. would also like to thank his fellow officers for all their support and industry during his period as competition secretary. They are a fine bunch. A good foundation for the future has been laid by hard work by committeemen over the past few years and with the right guidance, the club will continue to go from strength to strength. A lot more needs to be done to modernise the club and provide a comfortable and healthy environment for all its members. The issue of cigarette smoke is one that will have to be addressed and a solution that has general agreement will be a major step forward. If this is done, it will be a fitting monument to all those who, down the years endeavoured to provide a sporting outlet for the people in Donegal Town. A juvenile membership of 170 is the club's greatest resource and if this can be nurtured, it will guarantee the long-term survival of the club.