Another season draws to a close with annual awards presentation

Another season draws to a close with annual awards presentation

3 May 2023

THE Downpatrick and District Snooker and Billiards League drew to a close recently with their annual presentation night in Owenbeg Bowling Club.

League chairman Gerard Travers welcomed everyone to the event and opened by congratulating two of the league’s star performers for their achievements —

Drumaness’s Hugh Murdock, the individual snooker champion, who made it into the top 16 in Northern Ireland; and Christian Kirk, from St the Patrick’s club, the individual and reigning Northern Ireland champion, who recently added the All-Ireland title to his already impressive CV.

Gerard thanked the various league sponsors for their continuing financial support, in particular Ballynahinch Motors Factors, BSW Autohouse in Newcastle and St Mary’s Snooker Club, sponsors of the Dano Fitzpatrick Cup.

He then invited everyone to avail of the fantastic buffet food, supplied once again by Liam Byrne Outside Catering.

The night progressed with presentation of the various team and individual awards.

The strong Drumaness club retained the snooker league title but were chased all the way to the final game of the season by the young guns in the club’s C team.

Drumaness A team lifted two snooker cups — the BSW 6-reds and Martin Cup. Ballykinlar and Owenbeg were delighted to win the Toal’s Cup and Dano Fitzpatrick Cup respectively. 

The Hugh Murdock and Stephen Madine pairing lifted the snooker doubles title, beating Owenbeg’s Dessie Smyth and Mark Galbraith on a re-spotted black in the deciding frame. 

And in a close-run contest, again only decided in the final league match, Dessie Smyth was confirmed snooker player of the year.

The high break prizes went to Hugh Murdock and Shea Valentine.

Following the welcome return of league billiards to the local scene, a mixture of youth and experience saw Drumaness lift the league title, with defending pre-Covid champions Queen’s Hall taking the runners-up spot.

These two teams shared three of the four billiards cups contested, while St Patrick’s, Newtownards, won the other. 

Not surprisingly, All-Ireland champion Christian Kirk scooped all the single awards, winning the individual title, the high break prize and player of the year award.

Finally, Queen’s Hall’s Alastair McDonald was delighted to accept the Sportsman of The Year award. 

The league’s annual fund-raising draw was held on the night resulting in the following lucky winners: 

1st (£100) Suzanne Hunter, Newtownards; 2nd (£50) Therese Pollock, Castlewellan; 3rd (£25) Alastair McDonald, Newtownards; 4th (£25) Mark Scott, Drumaness.

The league now takes a break until the autumn, but the Drumaness Club will be hosting the Northern Ireland Billiards Championships in June.