In the masters division, which included five players who have represented their country at International level, it was the All-Ireland champion Shane McCosker from Sion Mills who finished four points ahead of Toombridge’s Francis McNally. Shane has now won practically all the major titles, including the U.S.A. youth title, and also finished 12th in Beijing during the past year. Francis McNally, who won the All-Ireland senior title last year, appears to be the most improved player on the North-West circuit at present. Strabane’s Myles Hannigan took the third piece of crystal when he had a well-deserved win over Hugh Devlin on the final night. Sean Bradley and Colm O’Connor were just two points outside the winners’ enclosure.

The intermediate section was another very tightly-contested section as there were nine players eligible for prizes before the final night’s play began. Sean McGonagle took 1st. prize and is now promoted to senior status. Cathal McFadden, who was unbeaten during the entire tournament, was in second place, just one point behind Sean. Clonmany’s Neil McLaughlin junior, who was also unbeaten during the tournament took third spot.

Fahan’s David Walker won the Intermediate B section but will have to say good-bye to this division in future as he is now promoted. In second place was the youngest player of the tournament, Kieran Bradley, while Buncrana’s Liam Kelly senior took 3rd. spot.

Buncrana’s Kieran McCallion and Willie John McLaughlin, together with Drumfries’ Gerard McLaughlin, missed out on prizes by the slimmest of margins.

After the presentation of prizes, club president John Joe McGee and vice-chairperson Brian Lafferty thanked everyone for taking part and paid tribute to Muriel and Irene for their excellent hospitality and the abundance of food each night during the tournament.

The club’s next big tournament will be The South Donegal Open which starts in Biddy’s O’Barnes in January. The club extends season’s greetings to all local draughts players.