History of The Village Snooker Club

Ray Devereux

Ed Fallon Jr, Harry Kelly, Adam O' Connor and Peter Doyle.

Ed Fallon Sr, Tony Lynch, Martin McSherry and Liam Cummins.



John Devitt Sr, Terry Haugh and Celcius McDonnell.



Tony Dillon and Liam Cummins.

Leo Smyth and Jackie Sheridan.

Ed Fallon Sr and John McDonnell.

Jackie Sheridan.

Ray Devereux, Dan Conway, John Devitt Jr, Liam Cummins, Terry Haugh and Dave Long.

John Devitt Sr and Tony Dillon.

Terry Haugh, Liam Cummins and Mick Long.

Adam O' Connor and John Gorevan.

Mick Long, Liam Cummins, Tony Lynch and Leo Smyth.

Mick Long, Sean McGlinchey, Terry Haugh, Liam Cummins and Tony Lynch.

Dennis Murphy with friends - Alan Leavy in background.

Sean O'Hanlon, Sean Murray and Jackie Sheridan.

Caroline Fallon with Peter McDonald.

The Village Snooker Club
Rathfarnham/Ballinteer

The first twenty five years

1983 - 2008

A Brief History By

Tony Lynch

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Sean Murray, Jackie Sheridan, John Mc Donnell and George Tyrell for their patience and help during long conversations and note-taking. I would also like to thank all the members for their support. I have included many anecdotes supplied by other members. I regard this work as a first draft that can be expanded if more relevant information becomes available. Unfortunately, early documentary evidence has been misplaced. However, I have tried to put the pieces together to the best of my ability. Rather than follow a dull chronological path I have concentrated on themes and I hope you see the evolution amid the various club activities.

Having made many friends and enjoyed many hours playing snooker in this Club, I feel I owe a debt of thanks to the founder and those Committee members who steered the Club through choppy waters and dedicated long hours for years to the Club. This is my way of saying ‘thanks’ on behalf of all members.

Tony Lynch 2009


A Word From The President

It gives me great pleasure to be a member of the Village Snooker Club and to have served on the Committee for many years. I can recall joining the Club in the 90’s when we were located in the Snooker Hall Rathfarnham. When we moved to Ballinteer House some people thought we would struggle to survive but thanks to our hard working Committee the Club has gone from strength to strength. As you are aware about half of the members are now from the Ballinteer area and the other half from Rathfarnham.

I would like to congratulate my good friend and Chairman Tony Lynch for taking on the task of writing a history of the Club. I am sure you will all agree it is a well researched story and worth the effort.

In conclusion, I wish the Club another successful twenty five years.

Leo Smyth 2009



Introduction

Portrait of the snooker player as an artist.

The world is full of beauty. People have responded over the years and produced works of art in various forms to reflect this beauty. Artistic movement is one of these art forms.

Inspirational people spring to mind: Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Jayne Torville and Christopher Dean, Michael Flatley and Jean Butler, Christy Ring, Mick O’Connell, George Best, Roger Federer, Brian O’Driscoll etc. They are legends in their own chosen fields having provided us with a series of beautiful bodily movements and cherished memories.

Let us narrow artistic movement to the game of snooker. For many years we have enjoyed watching wonderful exhibitions performed by great players that seemed to make the balls dance in a spectacular poetic fashion. Spectators who never held a cue enjoyed the exquisite deftness and brilliance of players in the Pot Black series: Fred Davis, Ray Reardon, Rex Williams, John Pullman etc. As more people bought colour televisions snooker acquired millions of new fans. New heroes arrived on the scene like Alex Higgins, Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor, Jimmy White. Dexterity and potting reached a new high level. It was wonderful to see Alex Higgins, Denis Taylor and Ken Doherty becoming world champions. Stephen Hendry reached new heights and today Ronnie O’ Sullivan amazes us with his skill and refined talent.

The professional snooker player is essentially an artist – like all artists he tries to bring the dreams of his imagination to expression by creative action (shot making) that embody the experience of beauty. He produces an endless series of beautiful movements of fluency providing himself and others with sparkling moments of luminosity that give joy and warm the heart. These movements enlarge the player and spectator alike by nourishing the psyche and satisfying that innate craving of the aesthetic sense to see, experience and create beauty.

The average snooker player imitates the professionals as much as possible – wittingly or unwittingly. After an apprenticeship and many mistakes he slowly begins to master the craft. He will play many good and bad shots. He will play occasionally the great shot, that special encounter and experience of beauty and artistry that gifts him with a unique pleasure and delight - that stimulates also the desire to continue, to improve, to create and experience more beauty. He is attracted to beauty by a strong, dynamic, magnetic inner force of nature and the concepts of excellence and perfection.

Snooker can be many things to many people - above all it is about beauty, creativity and artistry.

Looking back……….did you know?

That the game of billiards evolved in the 15th century when a game like croquet moved indoors and on to a green mat – probably in France. The French for ball is ‘bille’ and for stick it is ‘billard’. The game then moved from the floor to a table.

The first book of rules appeared in 1675.

When a ball was near the edge a player had to use the handle or ‘queue’ meaning tail. The cue as we know it today appeared around this time as the big head was dropped. The early tables were made from wood with no pockets. Hoops were used as targets.

The cue tip appeared in the early 19th century and rubber cushions a short time later and the table size was standardized.

Slate beds were introduced into England from Europe in the 1830’s

English billiards is played with 3 balls: each opponent has a white ball (one spotted)
and the other ball is red.

The game of snooker began in 1875 when British army officer Neville Bowes Chamberlain added extra colours to the game of black pool while playing with fellow officers in Jubbulpore, India. Black pool was played with 15 reds, a black ball and a white cue ball.

The word ‘snooker’ came from the name officers called a first year cadet in the army.

In 1882 the first rules were drafted and recorded. The rules were not recognized by the Billiards Association until 1900.

When snooker was introduced in England it was less popular and skillful than the well established game of billiards.

The English Amateur Snooker Championship was established in 1916.

In the old days pool balls were made of wood! Ivory balls arrived early in 17th century.
In 1866 John Wesley Hyatt made balls from celluloid or collodian and added campher from the laurel tree to stop them exploding – these were the first thermoplastic balls.
In the 1950s the first cast phenolic resin balls appeared and today we all use an improved form of these balls.

The shaft of a cue is normally made from ash or maple (Canadian) and the butt from rosewood or ebony. Black gaboon ebony comes from African tropical forests and macassar ebony from India and Indonesia.

The best tables are made from mahogany and hardwoods.

A standard tournament snooker table measures 11ft8.5 by 5ft10 commonly referred to as a 12ft by 6ft table. The cloth is normally pure wool.




On the 26th November 1926 in Thurston’s Hall London the first game was played in the new Professional Championship which was won by Joe Davis six months later. He received 6 Pounds and ten Schillings for his efforts!

Joe Davis was world champion from 1927 – 1946. During that time he never lost a non-handicapped match. More than anyone else he popularized the game of snooker.

( Mickey Mouse appeared for the first time in 1928.)

This championship continued until 1952 and then the players organized the new World Matchplay Chanpionship in the form of challenge matches.

Rex Williams was instrumental in getting World Championship revised, as we know it today, in 1969 with the help of the first official sponsor John Player and Son.

In 1969 Ted Lowe organized the first Pot Black series between 8 professionals; John Spencer and Ray Reardon had just turned professional. Do you remember ‘Black and White Rag’ played by Winifred Atwell?

The last Pot Black tournament was won by Jimmy White in 1986.

In 1997 the BBC ran the Seniors Pot Black featuring many old faces and was won by Joe Johnson who did not play in the original series.

In 1972 a young 23 year old Alex Higgins beat John Spencer to win the World Championship. He beat Ray Reardon in the final ten years later. He lost two finals in 1976 and 1980.

In 1977 the World Championship moved to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. John Spencer beat Cliff Thorburn that year.

In 1978 the first Irish Masters Tournament took place in Goff’s Sales Ring, Co Kildare.

In 1978 Ray Reardon won 7,500 Pounds when winning world title for 6th time at 45 years of age.

In 1983 Cliff Thorburn scored a 147 for the first time in the World Championship.


The unforgettable win of Dennis Taylor over Steve Davis 18-17, took place in 1985.

Steve Davis dominated the 1980s winning 6 times.

Stephen Hendry dominated the 1990s winning 7 times.

Stephen Hendry was the youngest player to win in 1990 at 21 years of age.

Jimmy White lost 5 finals in a row 1990-1994, and his first in 1984.

Ronnie O’ Sullivan, considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, won 3 times including 2008.

Ken Doherty became world champion in 1997.

Ronnie O’ Sullivan has scored 147 three times in the World Championship and the fastest recorded in 1997 in 5 minutes and 20 seconds.

Official Maximum Breaks: 1955 Joe Davis, 1965 Rex Williams, 1882 Steve Davis,
1983 Cliff Thorburn etc.

The Village Snooker Club - A brief history

John and Celcius McDonnell bought the Captains Pub in Rathfarnahm in 1972. They built a new premises in 1974 and called it The Rathfarnham Inn.

John bought a back garden beside the pub in 1983 and built a new snooker hall on the site. A born entrepreneur John saw the heightened interest in snooker and this was a golden opportunity not to be missed. Alex Higgins had just won the World Championship for the second time in 1982 and everybody was interested in snooker. The Pot Black series was the second most popular programme on B.B.C. John and Celcius travelled to England and John purchased 14 new snooker tables for 42,000 Pounds. The snooker hall was opened in September 1983 attended by Con Houlihan from the Evening Press and John Feeney from the Herald. The clients of the Rathfarnham Inn were delighted with this new facility next door. It encouraged many of them to play snooker.

Sean Murray stood up on a Sunday morning in 1983, two weeks after the official opening of the snooker hall, and with pen and paper in hand approached and asked other clients in the Rathfarnham Inn to join a new snooker club he was forming. Christy Farrell assisted Sean. Many people signed up and Jackie Sheridan after a lot of convincing eventually joined as the twelfth person. Jackie admits that he was not sure where the colours were placed on the table when he joined. His wife, an avid Pot Black fan, encouraged him to join and told him to think “God bless you”: green, brown and yellow. Within one week the first competition was held. This group became known as the “Dirty Dozen”.

The names of the Dirty Dozen are as follows: Sean Murray, Christy Farrell, Fergus Lee, John McDonnell, Teddy Kearns, Sean O’ Hanlon, Flan Brian, Jonny Byrne, John Fetherstone, Mike Farrell, Tony Kavanagh , Jackie Sheridan.

John Mc Donnell was President of the Club many times and looked after the interests of the members over the years and sponsored many events. As Sean Murray put it, “John minded the Club”. John was elected an honorary member at the 2005 A.G.M. in recognition of his contribution to the Club when he retired as a playing member.

Jackie Sheridan is the only other member in the club today from that group of twelve. Jackie was elected an honorary member at the 2002 A.G.M in recognition of the many years of service to the Club.

The club functioned with 12 members for a few months and they enjoyed the organized competitions. Members had to pay five shillings a week or a pound a month. Sean collected the money and with the help of Christy Farrell organized the Club. It was all very informal and Sean admits they had to feel their way at the beginning.

The club attracted four new members and with 16 people in the Club Sean found it easier to run competitions. Tony Keogh and three others joined. Other snooker players applied for membership and within a few more months there were 24 members. Mick Mooney, Marshal Coard, Peter Adams, J Adams, Ernie Campbell, George Tyrell. Bob Smith, Mick Cullen, Tony Harvey and Jack Tougher joined the club.

George Tyrell was elected an honorary member at the 2002 A.G.M. in recognition of his service to the Club.

Most of the members attended an exhibition in 1984 by Alex Higgins in the new snooker hall. It was decided that Michael McDonnell, a son of John Mc Donnell, who was later President of the Club for 6 years, would play Alex. Michael beat Alex! Alex took his beating very well. It was a great occasion for the Club, Michael, John, the new snooker hall, Celcius and the Rathfarnham Inn.

Sean Murray and Jackie Sheridan drafted a constitution that in a way evolved over that initial first year period. Soon after this the Club grew to thirty two members and this was the agreed limit. The first A.G.M. was held in January 1985. The constitution was accepted by the members and a committee was elected. The constitution has seen little change from those early days. Many people were interested in the Club and at one stage there were 12 people on the waiting list. The Committee considered running a tournament for people on the waiting list in 1988 but it never materialized.


Michael and Celcius McDonnell were not allowed join the Club as they were considered to be too good. The Club was essentially for beginners at that time. George Tyrell would not allow his son Shane to join for the same reason.

John sold his interest in the Rathfarnham Inn to Celcius but retained ownership of his beloved snooker hall. When Celcius sold the Rathfarnham Inn in 1996, John also sold the snooker hall to the same new owner.

The new owners leased the snooker hall to Jerry and Rita Dunphy in 1996 and the Club continued playing away as usual under new management.

Dinner Dance

There was a very active social scene and atmosphere among the members in the early years. In the first year some members joined another club for a meal at Christmas. In the second year of the club, 1984, at Christmas, a Dinner Dance was held in the Mountain View House in Stepaside. (This building has been demolished and new shops and apartments occupy the site.) Other dances took place in Stackstown Golf Club and the Summerhill Hotel in Enniskerry. This was a very popular event in the early years among members, their wives and partners. Members could also invite their friends. In 1988 50 people attended the Dinner Dance in the Mountain View – the dinner cost 520 Pounds, the bus 100 Pounds, the band 150 Pounds and each member paid 10 Pounds.

An excerpt from the minutes 24 November 1992, ” Dinner Dance: Spot Prizes seemed to be coming in although not as many as last year. M Coard confirmed that the bus was booked and that sixty seven people were coming to the dance and that meals to that effect were ordered.”

An effort to have the Dinner Dance in the Sarah Curran (the new name for the Rathfarnham Inn) in December 1997 failed to take place due to a lack of interest – members who paid 30 Pounds were credited with three months subscriptions. The last Dinner Dance took place in Stackstown Golf Club at Christmas 1998. After this event the Committee concluded that the Dinner Dance had run its course.

The members had a sort of party at the presentation of prizes at 8 p.m. on the 13th December 1999. At the A.G.M. 16th January 2000 some members requested the club to continue with the annual Dinner Dance while other members preferred the new idea of a presentation and a meal with just the members present. The latter argued that there now seemed to be a lack of interest in an annual Dinner Dance. They were right. The custom of the annual Dinner Dance died as the members seemed to prefer the social outing in the form of a presentation of prizes accompanied by a few free drinks.

This has evolved into the annual presentation of prizes and a lunch in the Ballinteer House on a Sunday afternoon two weeks before Christmas. In 2008 the Committee decided to include the A.G.M. before the presentation of prizes in order to generate a real club atmosphere at this event. This proved to be successful and the Committee decided to continue with this format in the future.

Annual Outing

The idea of an annual outing was welcomed among the members and it was decided to start in Kilkenny. Wicklow was the next venue and then Navan. There were two tables in the Beechmount Hotel in Navan and the entire tournament was held there. These three towns were chosen as venues over the years and Arklow was tried once. The cost for members started at 8 Pounds.
A good story from those days was the hotel that expected members to share double beds rather than sleep in twin beds. There is no need to say what the Committee told the management! On another occasion the bus failed to turn up to bring the members home!
Jackie Sheridan, Pat Quinn and Sean O’Hanlon traveled to Navan in 1988 to explore the possibility of going there; they were not happy and the Club returned to Wicklow that year.

The Club went to Kilkenny in 1991. Members had to pay 16 Pounds. The hotel cost 562 Pounds, the bus 130 Pounds, the hall 75 Pounds, and tips 30 Pounds. The winner received 60 Pounds, runner-up 40 Pounds, the losing semi-finalists 30 Pounds each. There was also a prize of 20 Pounds for the member with the highest break.

The Club did go to Navan in 1999, 2000 and 2001. The tournament was held in the Embassy Snooker Hall a five minute walk from the hotel.

In 2002 Carlow was visited for the first time and the Club has returned to Carlow each year. Members stayed in the Court House Hotel in 2002 but the following year the Seven Oaks Hotel was tried and found to be more than satisfactory and the Club has since returned to that hotel.

For the first three years in Carlow competitions were held in the Ivy Rooms Snooker Hall. The members liked this venue. It was well organized, clean and the tables were in great order.

In 2005 the Club heard about another snooker venue: The Workman’s Club. Two members of the Committee, Tony Lynch and Martin McSherry, travelled to Carlow to investigate and found that even though the tables were not as good as those in the Ivy Rooms it was a lot cheaper and the club would have the venue to itself all day Saturday and Sunday morning. It was decided to use this venue as the main area of competition and that some games would be played in The Ivy Rooms.

In the Workman’s Club our members was well looked after by Joe Walker, a generous and very friendly man who took pride in making sure that everything was in order for our competitions. Within an hour of our arrival on the first day unsolicited plates of sandwiches were given to the members and this has happened every year.

Raffles

The Committee met twice a month in the early years to keep the Club running and viable. It was decided to have a weekly raffle to help the Club finances. George Tyrell was responsible for setting up this raffle and with the help of Tony Kavanagh; they made 100 pounds a month for the Club. 200 tickets were released on Sunday morning and sold everywhere in Rathfarnham Village during the day and the draw was held in the afternoon in the Rathfarnham Inn with a little pomp and ceremony and a great deal of excitement.
.
George remembers delivering a printing machine to a house in Templeogue and watching a crane lifting it over a wall to the back garden shed and saw the opportunity to get the raffle tickets printed locally. An hour later a deal was done in the local pub in Templeogue Village.

At the A.G.M. 1988 R. Murray assisted by T Kavanagh agreed to take over the job of running the weekly draw.

At the A.G.M. 1989 T Kavanagh, G Keegan and P Adams agreed to run the weekly draws; J Sheridan, G Tyrell and B Smith agreed to run the monthly draws. At this stage there were two draws.

The members were expected to sell 10 tickets for every monthly draw. Some members disliked this chore. These two draws ran concurrently for many years and there was great excitement every Sunday as the winning tickets were drawn. The Club made a profit of around 50 Pounds from each monthly draw.

At the A.G.M. 1990 the members agreed to pay 2 Pounds per week subscription and to drop the weekly draw.

The Christmas draw was the most exciting with a first prize of 500 Pounds, a second prize of 250 Pounds and 100 Pounds for third and fourth prizes. At some draws there were 5 turkey vouchers and other sponsored prizes of a liquid nature. Members were expected to sell 20 tickets each for this draw. 600 tickets were circulated for the Christmas draw. Looking at the minutes of the Committee meeting 12 January 1993 we see that the sum raised for the Christmas draw was 1,740 Pounds and prizes amounted to 1,200 Pounds – a profit of 540 Pounds.

To help defray the costs of the outing to Kilkenny in 1997 a special draw was organized in September which raised 225 Pounds.

Administering these draws was a very onerous activity and those early Committee members deserve great credit for all the painstaking work to keep the Club viable. Draws by nature generate problems. Tickets got lost etc They had three different draws to organize and due to their efforts the Club survived. The draws provided necessary funds for the Club. It has to be remembered that the 1980s were tough times and money was scarce and some members found it difficult to pay 2 Pounds a week after 1990.

The monthly raffles continued to the A.G.M. 1997 when the treasurer Bob Smith informed members that he did not wish to be involved in the running of these draws. The members agreed to pay 10 pounds per month subscription, an increase of 20 pounds per year, in lieu of the monthly draws.

At the A.G.M. 1998 the members decided to have a draw at Easter. There is no evidence that this took place.

The members decided to discontinue the Christmas Draw at the A.G.M. 28th January 2001; it was felt that it was unfair to expect members to sell twenty tickets at 5 Pounds each now that the Club was in a sound financial position –cash in hand 2,330 Pounds.

Subscriptions

Another source of income was of course the members’ subscriptions. The first subscription was 5 schillings a week (about 35 pence now) or a pound a month. In 1989 an official receipt card was introduced to record payment of subscriptions. When a member paid the treasurer signed his card.

The subscription was increased to 2 Pounds a week in 1990 and to 10 Pounds a month in
1997. The last increase was in 2001 when it was decided that 15 Euro per month was to be paid by all playing members. These increases were agreed at the A.G.M.s

At the A.G.M. 1993 the members insisted that the Committee should implement what the Constitution had to say about members in arrears. A vote was taken and carried that left the Committee in no doubt what the members desired in this regard. ( look at the Constitution – page 28)

The Committee decided not to increase the subscriptions in 2008 but rather to abolish the payment of money for points gained in the Player of the Year competition. This money used to be added to the gift to all members from the Club at Christmas. From now on members will only receive the traditional turkey money.

Members are entitled to a receipt when paying subscriptions to any member of the Committee. A receipt book for that purpose was left at the desk in the snooker hall.


Sponsors

In the early years sponsors were sought and found. Paddy Dunne the panel beater donated 30 Pounds a year. Richard Smith, Ronnie Walsh, John McDonnell, Michael Mc Donnell, Louis O’Hanlon, Gandon Holdings, Willbrook Motors, T Sharkey, the Yellow House, The Bottle Tower, Sarah Curran, Ed Fallon Senior, Mick Mooney, P Dunne, Eden Electrics, Redmond Motor Works, Mike Croke, John Murphy, Mick Ryan, Celcius McDonnell,Reg Brogan, Jimmy Byrne, gave money, vouchers or donated spot prizes for the Dinner Dance and various competitions.

Thanks to the sponsors, and the work of the Committee members to seek sponsors, the Club survived and was able to present prizes that the members appreciated.


Membership Cards

Members were issued with membership cards to let them know they were in a special Club and that they had responsibilities to the Club. There is a note in the minutes 16th February 1989 stating that these cards cost 64 Pounds.

Annual Tournament with The Bottle Tower

An annual competition took place between the Club and a group of snooker players based in the Bottle Tower, Churchtown. Five members represented the club. The Village Snooker Club won most of the tournaments that took place and helped the members gain pride in their Club. It was decided to field other players apart from the best players in the Club to have a more even tournament. In 1988 the Committee decided to give a trophy to each player on the winning team. There was also a team trophy which seems to have disappeared. The cost of the trophies was shared by the Club and the Bottle Tower. A member of the Club passed an innocent remark after the one occasion the Bottle Tower team won to the effect that they were allowed to win. A written apology was demanded and delivered before the series could continue in 1992. The team that year: Tommy Howard (Captain), George Tyrell, C Feeney, T Gannon, M Mooney; Jackie Sheridan was a sub.


Turkey Vouchers

A custom that has survived to the present day is the gift to each member from the Club at Christmas. In the early days the club gave every member a voucher for a turkey to help members at an expensive time of the year. This was a very important gift especially in the eighties and much appreciated by all the members. This normally took place at the annual prize giving a few weeks before Christmas. Different shops were tried to keep all the members happy with good quality birds. Tom Howard remembers collecting thirty seven turkeys from a shop in Dorset Street. Liam Cummins saw a member mounting a bicycle and putting a turkey on the cross bar only to see the turkey falling off…The cost of the vouchers in 1993 was 660 Pounds. The Committee grew tired of complaints about turkeys from different members every year and decided to change the turkey voucher to a 25 Pounds cash gift in 2000. One can only imagine the faces of Committee members listening to complaints about turkeys. Members now receive a 30 Euro gift each year.



A two tier Club?

After discussing the possibility of creating a two tier Club the members decided at the A.G.M. 1993 to implement that idea for three months to see how it worked. The sixteen best players were to be in a separate monthly competition from the rest of the members. The winners of the two groups would meet in the monthly final. The new concept and reactions of members would be discussed at next A.G.M. The Club reverted to the 32 members open draw after a short discussion.

Referees and markers

The Club always had referees and markers for the monthly finals. Finding volunteers for these tasks was always difficult and Committee members did most of the work. Today one person referees and marks the score. Tony Dillon and Martin McSherry have helped out enormously over the years.

Turkey Tournament

There was also a turkey tournament coming up to Christmas apart from the normal monthly competitions. The prize for the winner in 1992 was a bottle of brandy - cost 25 Pounds. At the A.G.M. 1996 lack of interest in this competition was mentioned. The committee decided to end this competition at its meeting in August 1996.

In 2005 the Christmas tournament was resurrected and 16 members took part.

The Committee decided to change the format and try a doubles competition in 2006. This took place again in 2007 and 2008 and it has proved to be very popular. The first 16 members who sign up can play. The cost was10 Euro per person and the prize fund of 160 Euro was divided between the winning and runner-up teams. The tournament takes place on a Saturday afternoon in December.

Celcius McDonnell and Tony Lynch beat Dave Long and Dan Conway in 2006.

Liam Cummins and Ray Devereux beat Celcius McDonnell and Peter Doyle in 2007.

In 2008 Terry Haugh and John Devitt Junior beat Tony Lynch and Stephen Healy.

Sunday morning tournaments

In the old days some members began to meet and have a small tournament on Sunday morning starting at 11am. Each member paid to play. A draw took place and the prize fund was shared between the winner and runner-up. The average number playing was ten. This was totally independent of the Club and Committee and this gathering had their own handicap system. This was a great social occasion and a great atmosphere prevailed among the members. This custom was running out of steam when the Club moved to Ballinteer House and it has now ceased.

Prize Bonds

From the beginning the Committee bought Prize Bonds. As time passed more were bought and the Club now owns fifty six Prize Bonds.

At the A.G.M. 1994 the members passed the following motion:“Members become shareholders on joining the Club. In the event of a Prize Bond winning, twenty per cent will be reinvested in the Club, the other eighty per cent will be shared equally among existing shareholders.” (Constitution) This replaced the article that stated that one had to be a member for two years to share in any prize won.

Handicaps

In the early days there was a handicap committee that set handicaps for all the members. There were very few popular members on the different committees and resignations were common.
Ed Fallon Senior, Tommy Howard and George Tyrell were elected as the handicap committee at the A.G.M. 1992.
Dave Redmond presented a new system for handicaps at the A.G.M.1994 and the members accepted it. George Tyrell and Dave Redmond agreed to run the new system.

On the 27th August 1996 the Committee decided to deduct the winner of the monthly competition 5 points, the runner-up 3 points and the other semi-finalists 2 points each.
A first round loser would gain 3 points – mamimum gained in one year, 9 points.

At a Committee meeting 18th February 1998 it was decided to keep handicaps between
-40 and + 40 in future. Dave Redmond’s handicap was reduced from -47 to -40. Dave was probably the best player ever in the Club.

It was decided at the A.G.M. 2002 that every monthly winner would loose 8 points for the rest of the year – proposed by John Mc Donnell.
At the A.G.M. 2004 the members agreed to a change in the Constitution that put all handicaps in the hands of the Committee.

The Committee decided that a member that lost two finals in a year would also loose 8 points for the rest of the year.

Player of the year

From the first year of the Club there was a player of the year chosen - a title awarded to the player who earned most points in the monthly competitions. The Committee decided to award the P Curry Trophy to this player in 1988 and so on to the winner in 1989 etc. The trophy seems to have disappeared.

At a committee meeting 6th January 1999 it was decided to present a trophy to the player of the year – cost 40 Pounds. This is now the custom. The winner is consulted to give the Committee an idea of what he would like as a prize. In recent years prizes have ranged from Waterford Crystal to snooker cues and the cost limit is now 150 Euro.

2010
2009
2008 Leo Smith
2007 Martin Mc Sherry
2006 Ed Fallon Senior
2005 Joe Maher
2004 Leo Smith
2003 Martin Mc Sherry
2002 Dave Brady
2001 Leo Smith
2000 Martin Mc Sherry
1999 T Gannon
1992 T Gannon
1991 T Howard

George Tyrell won about 5 times in the early days.

At the A.G.M. 2000 the members decided that a player that gave a walk over in any competition would forfeit all points in that competition.

At the A.G.M. in 2003 members were informed not to enter a competition if they could not play in every round.

Crisis

The home of the Club was always the snooker hall in Rathfarnham. All games and competitions were held in that hall including a social unofficial gathering on Sunday mornings. The Committee held meetings and the A.G.M. took place next door in the Rathfarnham Inn.

The Hall was run on a commercial basis and members playing in competitions booked and paid for tables like the general public. At the A.G.M. in January 1996 members learned that the snooker hall was sold and the hope was expressed that the new owners would keep it as a snooker hall.

Rita and Jerry Dunphy took a lease on the Hall in 1996. Relations between Rita and the Club remained excellent and the Club continued on playing in the hall.

In December 2004 the Committee was informed by Jerry and Rita that they going to change the Snooker Hall into a venue for another type of business venture. In other words the Village Snooker Club was about to lose its home base. This news rocked the Club to its foundations as the majority of players lived in a small radius around Rathfarnham.

Will the Club survive? This simple question tormented the members for a few weeks. Where will the new base be? This was another simple question that the members had to face.

The Committee went to work to find a solution. Tony Lynch and Martin McSherry visited Spawell in Templeogue and Ballinteer House and received a warm welcome from the managers who outlined advantages, facilities etc. and answered many questions. The findings were related to the Committee and at the A.G.M. on 16 Jan 2005 the Committee outlined what the managers said, described the facilities and recommended Spawell or Ballinteer House. Jim Byrne made a passionate case for Blakes in Tallaght and after a heated debate the members opted for Blakes - in a secret ballot - despite the recommendations of the committee.

The members agreed to play the semi-finals and final in Blakes with the option of playing the other rounds in Ballinteer House, Spawell or Blakes. This would allow members to see and make a judgment on the three venues if they so wished. It was agreed to review the situation after three months and then make a final decision at an E.G.M. The committee visited Blakes to meet the manager and left word regarding the club moving there. The manager did not contact the committee. Blakes closed shortly afterward as a snooker venue.

This three month period was a very difficult period for the members and for the Committee. The Monthly tournament sheet had to be left in the Sarah Curran and Ballinteer House. Martin McSherry worked overtime trying to keep track of fixtures and results. The determination of the members and the Committee saw the Club through this difficult period.

Ballinteer House

Ballinteer House was finally chosen as the new base for the Club at the E.G.M. at the end of March 2005. This turned out to be a good decision and the club has thrived since the move. This was due in no small measure to the generosity and amiable personality of John Weedle, the manager of the snooker hall who helped smooth the transition and has always accommodated the needs of the club to the best of his ability. The manager Tim Giblin and all members of the staff in Ballinteer House have always been very cordial and accommodating to the Club.

Following a suggestion that the Club should run a second tournament to facilitate members that were knocked out in the first round of monthly competitions the Committee tried to organize a Round Robin competition in 2006. It was felt that members would like a competitative game while waiting for the next competition. In April 2006 four groups of eight were chosen and the idea was that each member would play seven games i.e. everyone else in his group. These games were to be played by the end of October 2006. The winners of the four groups would enter semi-finals etc. A list of opponents was put up in the snooker hall but the members seemed uninterested and the idea died.

The records of the Club show that a similar competition took place 1989 but failed to take off in 1990 due to a lack of interest.

As 2008 draws to a close the Club is thriving and members seem to be happy. Some members that were used to playing in Rathfarnham left the Club but other people in the Ballinteer area joined in their place and are now settled members. There is a growing number of young very talented players in the Club. The Club has a waiting list and the future seems assured and bright.

Officers of the Club

2009
President - Leo Smyth
Chairman - Tony Lynch
Secretary - Harry Kelly
Treasurer - Martin Mc Sherry

2008
President - Leo Smyth
Chairman - Tony Lynch
Secretary - Harry Kelly
Treasurer - Martin Mc Sherry

2007
President - Leo Smyth
Chairman - Tony Lynch
Secretary - Harry Kelly
Treasurer - Martin Mc Sherry

2006
President - Leo Smyth
Chairman - Tony Lynch
Secretary - Harry Kelly
Treasurer - Martin Mc Sherry

2005
President - Leo Smyth
Chairman - Tony Lynch
Secretary - Tom Leonard
Treasurer - Martin Mc Sherry

2004
President - John Mc Donnell
Chairman - Tony Lynch
Secretary - Tom Leonard
Treasurer - Martin Mc Sherry

2003
President - John Mc Donnell
Chairman - Tony Lynch
Secretary - Leo Smyth
Treasurer - Jackie Sheridan

2002
President - John Mc Donnell
Chairman - Tommy Gannon
Secretary - Leo Smyth
Treasurer - Jackie Sheridan

2001
President - John Mc Donnell
Chairman - Tommy Gannon
Secretary - Leo Smyth
Treasurer - Jackie Sheridan

2000
President - John Mc Donnell
Chairman - Tommy Gannon
Secretary - Leo Smyth
Treasurer - Jackie Sheridan

1999
President - John Mc Donnell
Chairman - Tommy Gannon
Secretary - Leo Smyth
Treasurer - Jackie Sheridan

1998
President - Bob Smith
Chairman - Tommy Gannon
Secretary - Leo Smyth
Treasurer - Jackie Sheridan

1997
President - Mick Mc Donnell
Chairman - Tommy Gannon
Secretary - Bob Smith
Treasurer - Jackie Sheridan

1996
President - Mick Mc Donnell
Chairman - Ed Fallon (Sn)
Secretary - Bob Smith
Treasurer - Jackie Sheridan

1995
President - Mick Mc Donnell
Chairman - Jackie Sheridan
Secretary - Bob Smith
Treasurer - Marshall Coard

1994
President - Mick Mc Donnell
Chairman - Jackie Sheridan
Secretary - Bob Smith
Treasurer - Marshall Coard

1993
President - Mick Mc Donnell
Chairman - Jackie Sheridan
Secretary - Bob Smith
Treasurer - Marshall Coard

1992
President - Mick Mc Donnell
Chairman - Dave Brady
Secretary - Sean Murray
Treasurer - Marshall Coard

1991
President - John Mc Donnell
Chairman - Dave Brady
Secretary - P Connaughton
Treasurer - Marshall Coard

1990
President - Sean Murray
Chairman - Tommy Howard
Secretary - Jackie Sheridan
Treasurer - Sean O Hanlon

1989
President - John Mc Donnell
Chairman - Jackie Sheridan
Secretary - Bob Smith
Treasurer - Sean Murray

1988
President - John Mc Donnell
Chairman - Jackie Sheridan
Secretary - Pat Quinn
Treasurer - Bob Smith

1987
President - John Mc Donnell
Chairman - Jackie Sheridan
Secretary - Sean O’ Hanlon

1986
President - John Mc Donnell
Chairman - Jackie Sheridan

1985
President - John Mc Donnell
Chairman - Jackie Sheridan

Liam Cummins has served on the Committee since January 1991!

Ed Fallon Senior served on the Committee for many years from 1988 - after a long break he is now again an active Committee member. George Tyrell served from 1989 for many years.

Mick Long, Peter Doyle, M Mooney, D Redmond, C Feeney, Tony Harvey, N Kirwan, J Keddy, L O’Dea, P Adams, C Kearney, E Campbell and T Kavanagh also served as Committee members.

Past members

Sean Murray – founder.


The first members or Dirty Dozan:

v Sean Murray
v Christy Farrell
v Fergus Lee
v Teddy Kearns
v John McDonnell
v Sean O’Hanlon
v Flan Brian
v John Byrne
v J Fetherstone
v Michael Farrell
v Tony Kavanagh
v Sean Carroll
v Jackie Sheridan

Jackie Sheridan and John McDonnell are now honorary members and the only two today from that group. Their dedication over the years shaped the Club and ensured its survival.


This group was joined by four new members:
Tony Keogh and three others.


Eight new members joined to bring the number to twenty four:
Michael Mooney
Marshall Coard
Peter Adams
John Adams
Ernie Campbell
George Tyrell
Bob Smith
Mick Cullen
Tony Harvey
Jack Tougher
Bob Kane

George Tyrell is now an honorary member.

Eight new members joined in 1984 to bring the number to thirty two:

The names of the 30 members that attended the A.G.M. 1988:
M Mooney, G Keegan, R Murray, J Sheridan, J Mc Donnell, M Doyle, J Adams, P Adams, E Campbell, J Fetherstone, T Kavanagh, P McDonnel, C Kearney, P Kane, B Kane, G Tyrell, A Walsh, C Coard, N Kirwan, S O’Hanlon, S McCabe, T Byrne, B Smith, M Coard, D McDonnell, D Brady, P Quinn, J Tougher, E Fallon, S Murray

Apart from the three honorary members in that group, Jackie Sheridan, George Tyrell, and John Mc Donnell, Ed Fallon Senior is the only playing member today and he is also a member of the Committee 2008.

J Dunne appears in 1988

Tommy Howard, Liam Cummins, Tommy Grainger and J Kelly became members in January 1989.


From the list of members at the A.G.M. 1990 we note the names of T Howard, Ed Fallon Senior, Ed Fallon Junior and Liam Cummins. These four members are playing members in 2008.

Members mentioned in minutes: Ken Gleeson, Noel Kirwan, J Lawlor, L O’Dea, D Donnelly, P Adams, D Doyle, R Walsh, P Quinn, B Murphy, John Doyle, T Toban,
C Feeney, F O’Hanlon, D Wells, B Griffiths, D Murphy.

The names of the 22 members that attended the A.G.M. 1992:
D Brady, P Connaughton, B Smith, M Mooney, J Sheridan, S Murray, P Mc Donnell,
E Campbell, A Walsh, T Gannon, T Kavanagh, G Tyrell, T Harvey, M Cullen, T Byrne,
E Fallon, T Carberry, C Feeney, L Cummins, M Coard, J McDonnell, T Howard.


The names of the 23 members that attended the A.G.M. 1993:
B Smith, T Byrne, M Mooney, J Sheridan, M Cullen, D Redmond, A Walsh, T Gannon,
T Grainger, T Howard, F Hanlon, G Tyrell, E Campbell, M Coard, D Brady, S Murray,
L Cummins, C Feeney, T Harvey, A Leavy, E Ahearne, M Long, A Delaney.

New names that appeared at the A.G.M. 1994:
Leo Smyth, A Delaney, J Dolan, C Daly.
Leo Smyth is the President of the Club, 2008.

New member 1994: Fergus Lawlor

New names that appeared at the A.G.M. 1995:
D Walsh, T Grainger Junior, J Finlay.
Jim Donnelly and Joe Maher were confirmed as members 7th February 1995.

An official list of members with no date but seems to be a 1995 list:
J Adams, D Brady, M Coard, E Campbell, L Cummins, M Cullen, T Carberry, C Daly,
J Donnelly, E Fallon Senior, J Finlay, T Grainger Senior, T Howard, F Hanlon, T Harvey,
M Mooney, D Murphy, J Maher, J Sheridan, B Smith, B Sheppard, D Redmond, M Long,
G Tyrell, A Walsh, D.Walsh, A Leavy, L Smith, T Grainger Junior, J Mc Donnell, T Gannon, B Murphy.

Another list with no date but appears to be late 1995 has new members, D Wells, L Mannion, N Morrissey
M Mc Grath appears on the list at the A.G.M. 1996.

Celcius McDonnell, Mick Buckley, Jimmy Byrne appear at the A.G.M. 1997.

M O’Connell, M Mc Sherry appear at the A.G.M. 1998.

Members mentioned in minutes 1998: Fergus Lawlor, S McCabe, Philip Maher, M Lynch

New members at the A.G.M. 1999: Tony Dillon, R Brogan, G Brogan, M O’Connor.

New member 1999: Tony Lynch. New member 2000: T Kenny.

An official list of all members with no date but appears to be a 2002 list:
Dave Brady, Gary Brogan, Reg Brogan, Mick Buckley, Jim Byrne, Ernie Campbell,
Mick Cullen, Liam Cummins, Con Daly, Alan Delaney, Peter Doyle, Tony Dillon,
Jim Donnelly, Ed Fallon Senior, John Finlay, Tom Gannon, Paul Herbage, Tom Howard,
Mick Kavanagh, Keith Kearns, Tom Leonard, Mick Long, Tony Lynch, Joe Maher,
Celcius Mc Donnell, Paddy McEvoy, Martin McSherry, Mick O’Connor, Jackie Sheridan, Leo Smyth, George Tyrell.

An official list of all members with no date but appears to be a 2003 list:
Dave Brady, Reg Brogan, Mick Buckley, Jim Byrne, Karl Corcoran, Paul Corcoran, Paul Costello, Liam Cummins, Tony Dillon, Jim Donnelly, Peter Doyle, Eddie Fallon Senior,
Tom Gannon, Paul Herbage, Tom Howard, Mick Kavanagh, Keith Kearns, Harry Kelly,
Tom Leonard, Mick Long, Tony Lynch, Joe Maher, John McDonnell, Mark McEvoy,
Paddy McEvoy, Martin McSherry, Mick O’Connor, Andrew Picard, Alan Reynolds,
Jackie Sheridan, Leo Smyth, George Tyrell.

Another list with no date contains a new name: Martin Lynch. Stephen Courtney
played in the first five competitions in 2004.

An official list of all members with no date but appears to be a 2004-5 list:
Dave Brady, Reg Brogan, Mick Buckley, Jim Byrne, Karl Corcoran, Paul Costello,
Liam Cummins, John Devitt (Senior), John Devitt (Junior), Tony Dillon, Jim Donnelly,
Bobby Doyle, Peter Doyle, Ed Fallon (Senior), Paul Herbage, Tom Howard, Karl Keating, Harry Kelly, Tom Leonard, David Long, Liam Long, Mick Long, Tony Lynch,
Joe Maher, Charlie McCann, Celcius McDonnell,John McDonnell, Martin McSherry,
Andrew Picard, Jackie Sheridan, Leo Smyth, George Tyrell.

Member mentioned in minutes 2004: Joe Kelly.

An official list of members with no date appears to be a 2005 list and the first in Ballinteer House: Rob Bulman, Tony Farrell, Maurice Mc Loughlin, Alan Whyte and Keith Talbot replace Karl Corcoran, Paul Herbage, Karl Keating, and Andrew Picard.
Jackie Sheridan an honorary member ceased playing.

Tim Moran and Barry Skinner are the next new names to appear on a list.

Stephen Healy is the next new name in the first competition 2006. John McDonnell an honorary member ceased playing. Des Fitzgerald and Adam O’Connor appear for the first time in the second competition 2006. Connor Sweeney and Pat Whelan appear for the first time in the 4th competition 2006. Gary Long appears for the first time in July 2006.

List of all members at the end of 2006:
Liam Long, Tom Leonard, Dave Long, Harry Kelly, Mick Long, John Devitt (Senior) Alan White, Gary Long, George Tyrell, Tony Lynch, Adam O’Connor, John Devitt, Peter Doyle, Leo Symth, Conor Sweeney, Charlie McCann, Jim Byrne, Keith Talbot, Stephen Healy, Tom Howard, Tony Dillon, Celcius McDonnell, Rob Bulman, Mick Buckley, Liam Cummins, Jim Donnelly, Ed Fallon (Senior), Maurice McLoughlin, Reg Brogan, Ed Fallon, Joe Maher, Martin McSherry.

New members in first competition 2007:
Dan Conway, Conor Sinnott, Ray Devereux, Ollie Sherriff, John Goveran,

Barry McDonnell appears in the second competition. Sean McGlinchy and Nick McCormack appear in the third competion 2007. Terry Haugh and Barry McDonnell appear in the sixth competition. Ross Meade appears in the eight competition 2007.

List of members 2008 include two new members Michael Groves and Dara McGoile Choile.

The Year 2008

The list of all members and handicaps at the end of 2008:

Rob Bulman + 15, Dan Conway + 2, Liam Cummins + 13,
Ray Devereux – 22, John Devitt (Senior) + 3, John Devitt (Junior) – 10, Tony Dillon + 35, Jim Donnelly + 19, Peter Doyle – 5,
Ed Fallon (Junior) – 13, Ed Fallon (Senior) + 3, John Goveran + 9,
Terry Haugh + 34, Stephen Healy + 9, Tom Howard 0,
Harry Kelly + 21, Dave Long + 5, Mick Long 0,
Tony Lynch + 5, Dara Mac Goile Choile + 13, Joe Maher + 10,
Ross Meade – 6, Charlie McCann + 33, Nick McCormack + 11, Celcius McDonnell + 16, Sean Mc Glinchy + 22, Martin Mc Sherry 0,
Maurice McLoughlin + 15, Adam O’ Connor + 12, Ollie Sherriff + 4,
Leo Smyth + 4, Alan Whyte + 19.

The Committee at the end of 2008:

Chairman Tony Lynch
Secretary Harry Kelly
Treasurer Martin McSherry
Liam Cummins, Ed Fallon Senior, Peter Doyle, Michael Long.

President Leo Smyth




If you love snooker and would like to join the Club give your name to any Committee member.

After a successful A.G.M. in January the first monthly competition took place and was won by Ray Devereux who beat Ed Fallon (Senior).
Ten more tournaments were completed.
John Devitt (Senior) beat Tony Lynch,
Ross Meade beat Jim Donnelly,
Stephen Healy beat John Goveran,
Dave Long beat Ross Meade,
Tom Howard beat Ed Fallon (Senior)
Harry Kelly beat Stephen Healy,
Peter Doyle beat Tony Dillon,
Maurice McLoughlin beat Liam Cummins,
Leo Smyth beat Harry Kelly,
John Goveran beat Dan Conway.

Leo Smyth won the Player of the Year. With two tournaments left six members were in the running for this award. Leo Smyth won the penultimate one and reached the semi-final in the final tournament thus leaving the other five in his wake.

The annual outing to Carlow took place in September and it was a very enjoyable week-end for all.

John Goveran won the tournament beating Adam O”Connor

The plate competition was won by Leo Smyth who beat Ollie Sherriff

The Christmas Doubles Competition took place on the 6th December: Terry Haugh and John Devitt Junior beat Tony Lynch and Stephen Healy

The A.G.M. and presentation of prizes took place on 14 December 2008. The A.G.M. was always held in January. However, the Committee decided to try a new format by having both of them together this year. It is generally believed that this new format was a success and it will continue in the future.

The Constitution

The Club shall be called the Village Snooker Club.
The Executive shall consist of a Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer and four Committee members elected at the Annual General Meeting by the Club membership.
The President shall be elected each year by the newly elected Executive Committee.
The Club membership shall remain at thirty two playing members and elected honorary members.
In the event of a General Meeting being called it can only function with the attendance of ten plus one by the membership.
When a member is four weeks subscription in arrears, he is disqualified from the monthly competition. After an additional four weeks in arrears his membership of the club will cease.
Any misbehaviour or ungentlemanly conduct in the Ballinteer House Snooker Hall or on outings by members, can lead to the following penalties, suspension or expulsion from the Club, as deemed appropriate by the Executive.
The rules of snooker apply at all times.
A panel of six referees shall be elected each year by the Executive.
Trustees shall consist of two club members elected by the Committee.
Auditors shall be elected each year by the Committee.
Elections of new members to the Club and the regulation of all handicaps are left entirely to the Committee of the day.
All members are obliged to play in all competitions.

Club Monies: Members become shareholders on joining the Club. In the event of a Prize Bond winning, twenty per cent of the prize will be reinvested in the Club. The other eighty per cent will be shared equally among existing shareholders. All Bond numbers shall be made known to the membership.
In the event of the Club breaking up all funds shall be shared equally among the shareholders.

Guidelines for members 2008

Constitution.
Read the constitution often and carefully.

Tournaments.
Eleven monthly tournaments are played each year – the draw takes place on the Sunday before the final and is posted in the hall after the final to allow members plenty of time to arrange their games. Games can only be played from Sunday to Sunday. Games played outside these times are invalid games and no points will be awarded. Members cannot continue in the competition after an invalid match. A member must give a walk-over if for any reason he cannot play from Sunday to Sunday. Write the result on the sheet.
Tables are booked for the semi-finals on Monday night 8.00pm (Tuesday night on Bank Holiday week-ends) and for the final on Thursday night 7.00pm. These times cannot be changed.
To avoid problems, keep in mind it is your responsibility to find out who your opponent is and to make contact early in the week to arrange the match. The majority of problems in the past have been caused by a lack of contact early in the week. The deadline for the match is Sunday night.
If the Committee have to adjudicate in a dispute it will normally find in favour of the member who made or tried to make contact first.
The Committee take a dim view if a member gives a contact number that rings unanswered continually or when a member makes no effort to return a call. It is vital not to allow time slip away as the deadline approaches.
What is the point of being a member if it is almost impossible to contact you – it is a source of endless frustration to other members.
Sixteen games have to be played in the first week and it is advisable to book early.

Handicaps:
The purpose of the handicaps is to give each member a fair chance to win at least one tournament over a three year period.
The Committee assigns handicaps at the beginning of each year based on all the results of previous years and by observation.
Handicaps are changed during the year based on the following:
1) A monthly winner loses 8 points for the rest of the year
2) A runner-up of two finals in one year loses 8 points for the rest of the year.
3) A runner-up of one final loses four points.
4) A loser of a first round will gain 3 points – maximum points gained in any one year 9 points.
5) A new member will normally begin with a handicap of -10. This will be reassessed after three months.
6) The Committee may change a handicap for other valid reasons.

Club Finances:
Subscriptions are 15 Euro per month or 180 Euro per year. You are entitled to a receipt when you pay cash.
These monies fund the monthly tournaments: Winner 100 Euro ; runner-up 50 Euro; losing semi-finalists 15 Euro each.

The Club accounts are audited each year by two members appointed by the Committee and the audited Balance Sheet is presented to the members at the A.G.M. You are entitled to ask the Treasurer questions re Club finances at any time during the year.

The Committee have more to be doing than chasing members to pay up – a good member pays on time.
Keep in mind that if you are two months in arrears your membership has ceased (constitution). To avoid problems if there is a big monthly Prize Bond win (1,000,000 Euro) make sure you are legally entitled to your share by paying on time.

Any member in arrears for 2008 will not be entered in the 2009 competitions.


Etiquette:
Club members are expected to co-operate fully with the management of the premises and respect the rules of the snooker hall.
Club members are expected to give leadership in the hall in order to create that quiet atmosphere that is conducive to excellent snooker.
Respect non- members who are playing and avoid loud conversations re club matters near their table or indeed in the hall

When your opponent is about to play a shot, keep in mind:
1) Remain still after moving out of his line of vision
2) Do not enter his line of vision e.g. walking around table, walking to shelf for a drink etc
3) Do not carry on a conversation with someone near the table
4) Do not make unnecessary noise e.g. loud chalking of cue, careless noise of cue on floor etc


Summary:
A good club member
1) Arranges his match early in the week
2) Pays his subs on time
3) Respects his opponents rights during a match
4) Respects the wishes of management in the hall

World Champions:
Winner Runner-up
2009 John Higgins beat Shaun Murphy
2008 Ronnie O’ Sullivan beat Ali Carter
2007 John Higgins beat Mark Selby
2006 Graeme Dott beat Peter Ebdom
2005 Shaun Murphy beat Matthew Stevens
2004 Ronnie O’ Sullivan beat Graeme Dott
2003 Mark Williams beat Ken Doherty
2002 Peter Ebdom beat Stephen Hendry
2001 Ronnie O’ Sullivan beat John Higgins
2000 Mark Williams beat Matthew Stevens
1999 Stephen Hendry beat Mark Williams
1998 John Higgins beat Ken Doherty
1997 Ken Doherty beat Stephen Hendry
1996 Stephen Hendry beat Peter Ebdon
1995 Stephen Hendry beat Nigel Bond
1994 Stephen Hendry beat Jimmy White
1993 Stephen Hendry beat Jimmy White
1992 Stephen Hendry beat Jimmy White
1991 John Parrott beat Jimmy White
1990 Stephen Hendry beat Jimmy White
1989 Steve Davis beat John Parrott
1988 Steve Davis beat Terry Griffiths
1987 Steve Davis beat Joe Johnson
1986 Joe Johnson beat Steve Davis
1985 Denis Taylor beat Steve Davis
1984 Steve Davis beat Jimmy White
1983 Steve Davis beat Cliff Thorburn
1982 Alex Higgins beat Ray Reardon
1981 Steve Davis beat Joe Mountjoy
1980 Cliff Thorburn beat Alex Higgins
1979 Terry Griffiths beat Denis Taylor
1978 Ray Reardon beat Perrie Mans
1977 John Spencer beat Cliff Thorburn

All games above were played in the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.

1976 Ray Reardon beat Alex Higgins
1975 Ray Reardon beat Eddie Charlton
1974 Ray Reardon beat Grahan Miles
1973 Ray Reardon beat Eddie Charlton
1972 Alex Higgins beat John Spencer
1971 John Spence beat Warren Simpson
1970 Ray Reardon beat John Pullman
1969 John Spencer beat Gary Owen
1964 -1968 were challenge games and 4 were won by John Pullman. There was no challenge in 1967.

There was no world championship between 1957 – 1964

A World Matchplay Championship was played between 1952-1957.


1952 Horace Lindrum Clark McConachy
1951 Fred Davis Walter Donaldson
1950 Walter Donaldson Fred Davis
1949 Fred Davis Walter Donaldson
1948 Fred Davis Walter Donaldson
1947 Walter Donaldson Fred Davis
1946 Joe Davis Horace Lindrum

No championship during war years.

1940 Joe Davis Fred Davis

1927- 1946 Joe Davis won 15 consecutive finals beating
Tom Dennis, 1927,1929,1930,1931;
Fred Lawrence 1928;
Clarke McConachy 1932;
Willie Smith 1933,1935;
Tom Newman, 1934;
Horace Lindrum, 1936,1937,1946;
Sydney Smith, 1938, 1939;
Fred Davis, 1940.

Summary:
Joe Davis won 15 times in the old days.
In the modern era Stephen Hendry won 7 times, Steve Davis and Ray Reardon 6 times.

Irish Masters

1978 John Spencer
1979 Doug Mountjoy
1980 Terry Griffiths
1981 Terry Griffiths
1982 Terry Griffiths
1983 Steve Davis
1984 Steve Davis
1985 Jimmy White
1986 Jimmy White
1987 Steve Davis
1988 Steve Davis
1989 Alex Higgins
1990 Steve Davis
1991 Steve Davis
1992 Stephen Hendry
1993 Steve Davis
1994 Steve Davis
1995 Peter Ebdom
1996 Darren Morgan
1997 Stephen Hendry
1998 Ken Doherty
1999 Stephen Hendry
2000 John Higgins
2001 Ronnie O’Sullivan
2002 John Higgins
2003 Ronnie O’Sullivan
2004 Peter Ebdom
2005 Ronnie O’Sullivan
2006 No event
2007 Ronnie O’Sullivan

A Brief Look At 2009

The results of the eleven monthly competitions, etc. - the winner is mentioned first:

Tony Lynch v. Ed Fallon Sr

Dave Long v. Jim Donnelly

John Devitt Jr v. Dan Conway

Ross Meade v. Maurice McLoughlin

Martin McSherry v. Leo Smyth

John Devitt Jr v. Liam Cummins

Paul McGrane v. John Devitt Jr

Steven Healy v. Leo Smyth

Ed Fallon Jr v. Rob Bulman

Alan Whyte v. Tony Dillon

Player of the year: John Devitt Jr

At the annual outing, Ed Fallon Jr v. Liam Cummins and in the Plate Peter Doyle v. Terry Haugh

Conclusion

1983 – 2008. There you are……..the story to 2009. Twenty five years of snooker memories, champions, great shots, elation and disappointments, cherished .friendships, dances, outings, draws and the monthly tournaments that are the heart beat of the Club.

A warm welcome to our three new 2009 members: Paul Mc Grane, Patrick O’ Hanlon and Julien Winters.

It is great to see the young players setting a high standard of play that is an inspiration to all the members including the ‘old brigade’: Liam Cummins, Celcius Mc Donnell, Joe Maher, Jim Donnelly, Tom Howard, Ed Fallon, Leo Smyth.

I will take this opportunity to thank sincerely the members of the Committee that have worked so hard during my time as Chairman: Martin Mc Sherry, Liam Cummins, Mick Long, Peter Doyle, Harry Kelly, Ed Fallon Senior, Leo Smyth, Jackie Sheridan and Tom Leonard.