PRESS RELEASE & RESULTS
The presentation ceremony at this years Mr Chips Festival displayed
the growth of talent of Special Needs players from throughout N.Ireland with
the winners stretching from Limavady to Bangor. In his opening remarks Mr John Clarke, Vice chairman of
N.Ireland Special Pool, stated that despite serious cutbacks within the various
Health Trusts the number of competitors at this year’s festival had continued
to grow. He thanked Mr Clem Howard of Mr
Chips for continuing his roll as the lead sponsor for the event and also
highlighted his further support for the 2014 event, a gesture which was very
much appreciated by all involved. He
also expressed his gratitude to Coleraine Borough Council for their continuing financial
assistance as well as thanking all the staff of the Lodge Hotel for their kindness
to everyone involved during the event. Mayor George Duddy, on behalf of the Council, in his remarks
stated his delight that this prestigious event was held in Coleraine on an
annual basis and that he could see from the faces of all the players that they
had enjoyed the two days of competition. Leading the way on the presentation list was current N.Ireland
international player Paddy Reid from Ballycastle who lifted the much sought
after N.Ireland Men’s Individual title. The
equally prestigious Ladies Individuals was won by a local female from Portrush,
Valerie Taggart. The Social Individuals which is for players of lesser ability
went to Michael Crawford of Cookstown Gateway Club. In the team events the social title was won by Millbrook
from Ballymoney, the ladies event went to Mica Drive from Belfast and Rathmoyle
from Ballycastle lifted the men’s event. The junior team event and individuals, which are limited to
entries from special schools throughout N.Ireland was a closely fought battle
between Sandleford School, Coleraine and Hillcroft School Newtownabbey. The
plate event was won by Castletower Ballymena who narrowly beat a new team from Carrick
Junior Gateway Club. In the All Ability section the main silverware went to a
local man from Coleraine, Adrian Doherty. Other local winners included the Tina O’Neill from Mountfern
who won the most improved female playerBringing the ceremony and the festival to a close Mr Trevor Harte, event organise, expressed his gratitude to the numerous local business's who made the event possible through their participation in the table sponsorship scheme as well as the local pool players for their refereeing services over the 3 days.
