Paddy Kelly won the Harry Diver Cup sponsored by the Tower Bar when he defeated Billy Reid in a tense final played recently in the club. It was a poignant moment for Paddy as he and Harry went back a long way. Indeed, both men's autographs from 1981 were discovered last month on the wooden insert of a table after it had had the slate removed.

Billy had hit a rich vein of form and had taken the scalp of Jack Keeney in the semi-final. The first frame was tight but Paddy prevailed thanks to some excellent potting at crucial moments. Billy responded well in frame two and it took a break of 13 to enable Paddy to forge ahead before he snatched it on the pink. The final frame was a one-sided affair for most of its duration with Billy outgunning Paddy at every opportunity. He built up a healthy 26 point lead going into the colours and most spectators felt a fourth frame was in the offing. However, Paddy had other ideas. The club champion of 1956 showed he hadn't lost his competitive streak by gradually clearing the colours to the pink. Billy still had a chance on the black and duly sunk it, only to watch agonisingly as the cueball disappeared into a corner pocket.

It was not the way Paddy wanted to win but sometimes the fates are cruel. Paddy thanked all who contributed to a successful seniors tournament and commiserated with the gallant loser. Chairman Kieran Temple spoke for all present when he expressed his appreciation of all that Barry Mulreany of the Tower Bar has done over the past two years to ensure the success of this annual tournament. He was on board from the start and his sponsorship has been vital and generous.

Donegal lost their grip on the shield they won last season but only after a thrilling and valiant defence. The eventual winners Northwest A from Letterkenny were league champions and as such had the choice of venue for the first leg of the final. They chose Donegal Town and what a good call that was!

The home team were given a hiding with the Letterkenny men in top form. Sole winner for Donegal was Tom Plunkett who edged out Pat Bonner in a high scoring match. Bernard McGuinness potted as well as he ever has in defeating local star Charlie Murphy while Gerry McCluskey was at his imperious best in disposing of Oliver Plunkett. Michael Neary played well but was pipped at the post by Joe Devine who has achieved three century breaks since Christmas. Finally Shane Faulkner met his nemesis Johnny White who again came out on top.

Suitably chastened and with an extravagant boast from one of the Letterkenny men ringing in their ears, Donegal meant business when they travelled for the away leg. Tom Plunkett again led by example, defeating Johnny White two nil. Paul Thomas was outstanding in defeating Bernard McGuinness two one while Shane Faulkner dug deep to defeat Joe Devine with a doubled black in the final frame. Three up and needing one more match to secure a play-off, Donegal expectations were high with Charlie Murphy next up. Unfortunately he met a man in great form. Gerry McCluskey broke Donegal hearts in achieving a two nil victory over a subdued Charlie. Buoyed by this, Gerard Duffy defeated Oliver Plunkett two nil to cap a fine six four win for the northern men.

The home leg had proved Donegal's downfall but their performance in inflicting a first home defeat on Northwest since they won in last year's final in Letterkenny must give them heart for the County Championships currently taking place in the local club.

Young Charlie Murphy compiled his second century break in the club recently, just three months since his fabulous 133 total clearance. This time he reached 101 before breaking down on the final red. His opponent Aidan McFadden could only watch and admire as the club's third ever century was added to the record books. The other century, a 104 was achieved by Niall Keenan against Tom Plunkett in 1997.

The pursuit of the Millennium Championship has begun. Forty-four of the finest players in this part of the world will participate in the most prestigious event in the county snooker calendar. For nearly twenty years the David Hanna Jr. Cup has been the Holy Grail of Donegal cueists but only six men have succeeded in winning it. Four of these are in this years championship; namely Anthony Bonner (Northwest) with six wins, Paul Gallagher (Northwest) also with six wins, Jack McGranaghan (Twin Towns) with a single title and finally the defending champion Phelim McClafferty of the CYMS club in Letterkenny.

Donegal Town's prospects are good with Charlie Murphy, Tom Plunkett and Michael Neary all ranked in the top dozen players in the county. The Letterkenny stranglehold on the trophy (which is kindly sponsored by Hanna Hats) has proved almost impossible to break over the years, with only the mercurial James Gallagher triumphing in 1990.

The tournament will run from May 8^TH until the final on May 27^TH. The club is indebted to the generous sponsorship of local business people who have enabled the staging of this special event. Their willingness to support the championship has emphasised the goodwill that exists between Donegal Snooker Club and the commercial sector. SuperValu of Donegal Town is the chief sponsor while the Jim White Hotel Group, Hanna Hats, McGroarty's Bar, F.B.D. Insurance, Dunlevy PVC, Irish Permanent, E & J Oil, the Errigal Grill, A.I.B. and the Ulster Bank have all weighed in with generous contributions. One hopes that the quality of snooker played justifies their outlays. Already John McGlanaghey has the tables in tip-top shape in expectation of fireworks when the stakes rise in the weeks ahead.

The county media have all been very supportive and have ensured a high profile for the tournament. Perhaps a first ever century break in these championships will make it all worthwhile.