Shooters Sports Bar hosted the Norio Cafolla Memorial Charity Competition on Saturday 2nd June in a sunny Bangor. And it was local team Shooters Sharks who came out on top after an exciting end to the Competition. In the Final The 147 Snooker Club 'A' from Omagh awaited the winners of a Play-Off match between The 147 'B' side and Shooters Sharks. Sharks edged through 8-4 and went on to beat Davy McGurn's 147 'A' team in the Final by 8-5.
All teams had nominated a Charity before the days play began and Sharks win will benefit the Northern Ireland Learning Difficulties Pool Section by £250. Other Charities nominated were Gateway Club by Poison Ivy, Simon Community by The A Team, C.L.I.C by Petes Team, Barnardos by The 147 Club Omagh, Marie Curie by Shooters Thunder & Ards Sharks and Laurel House Cancer Unit by Carrick Gatherups.
About Norio Cafolla
Norio Cafolla was a past North Down & Ards League President, Chairman and Team Manager. He also Managed the Northern Ireland Mens Team and held the title of Northern Ireland Individual Champion. 3 of the winning team, Brian Crilly, Davy Drysdale and Herbie O'Neil played under Norio at International level.
About NI Special Pool
NI Special Pool is a voluntary association that provides a sporting need for children and adults with a learning difficulties. In 1993 the NIPA introduced the first NI Championship for people with learning disabilities. It was held in the Causeway Hotel in Portrush and catered for 32 invited competitors. It was a great spectacle as all 32 marched in with bow ties and waistcoats carrying their own cues. It was such an annual success that in 1997 the NIPA initialised the setting up of a Special Pool League. where teams travelled to and from Specials Centres to compete against each other. At present there are 6 Leagues across NI (5 Learning Difficulties & 1 All Ability) which totals 33 Centres and over 250 clients. In 1988 the World Association of Special Pool was introduced and in our first year we brought back the Mens Team & Individual Titles and the Ladies Team & Individual Titles. Since then our success has been unparalleled by any other Nation, our Men have been World Champions 11 times and our Ladies 13 times. we have held the Mens Individual title 9 times and the Ladies 11. The benefits that Pool has brought to these players over the years has been immense. It has given players the chance to make new friends and improve their confidence and self esteem. It benefits communication skills and has given them the opportunity to travel to other countries and sample different cultures whilst representing NI. Photo (top right)
Shooters Sharks - Davy Drysdale, Brian Crilly, Terry McDowell, Herbie O'Neil, Jason Heffron
Photo (above right)
Pauline Lynch (Specials Secretary) - receives the £250 cheque from Brian Crilly, Terry McDowell and Herbie O'Neil
