This week our National Coach PJ Nolan travelled to one of the oldest CYMS clubs in Ireland when he went to the Youghal Catholic Young Men’s Club in County Cork.
PJ met up with Brendan Cooney and fellow committee members Ray Whelan, Derek Ahearn and Patrick Walsh and they showed him around the club. The club is non commercial club and completely volunteer run community organisation based in the Market square overlooking the beautiful Youghal harbour.
The club has four beautiful match Snooker Tables, Television Room, Reading Room and a Meeting Room.
The yearly membership is on average 120 to 140 members starting from the age of 10 years and over the past few years their junior development program has produced a number of Irish Junior Internationals including Aaron Tobin, Lee Walsh, Kenny Wight, Adam Fitzgerald and Chris Cooney.
Brendan Cooney became an official RIBSA Coach earlier this year so the future looks good for more stars of the future from Youghal to break through on the Irish scene and Brendan will represent his Club and Ireland in the World IBSF Snooker Championship which takes place in Bulgaria later on this month and one thing is certain that all the members will be cheering him on all the way.
At present the club boosts of having the Cork Under 14 and Under 16 Individual titles, The Cork Under 17 team Championship and The RIBSA under 16 National title. The adult teams have also won numerous Cork Leagues and team Titles as well as the Munster Club Championship and All Ireland Plate.
Their members participate in various RIBSA events throughout the season and they are also very involved in the Cork Snooker & Billiards Association where Brendan Cooney is the current Association Chairman.
The club has their very own web site on www.youghalcyms.com for latest news and photos
