Cavan man elected President of CYMS Ireland
Karl Dunne was nine in 1980 when his two older brothers Adrian and Jim first brought him to the CYMS Snooker Club at what was affectionately known as ‘The Hut’ on Cavan’s Farnham Street. He’s been a member ever since and last month marked a full circle when he was elected President of the organisation nationally.
The Cavan Town native, now living in Ballinagh, described receiving the chain of office as an “unbelievable honour”.
CYMS Cavan has been in existence since 1886, making it one of the oldest clubs in the country. It has more than 250 active members, a portion of which are life members, and interest is currently running at an all time high.
However, the same cannot be said nationally, where over the years the number of CYMS clubs has more than halved, some through amalgamation while others simply petered out of existence.
Raising the profile will be one of the key challenges Karl intends to take on during his two year tenure, having described his own involvement with CYMS from a young age as “life changing”.
“There were some fantastic men around this club over the years, that used to put their arm around you, teach you things and treat you with a bit of respect. It meant a lot growing up. You came into the club and threw your 50 pence into the metre and you knew you were in a safe space.”
That support, bestowed at a formative age, is the reason why Karl believes so many are still members into adulthood. He lists committee members, both past and present, who played a role in fostering that nurturing environment. “There was Richie Cassidy, Bill McCusker, a class snooker player, Jim Fay, Paddy O’Reilly who’s still in the club. Tommy McKiernan, he was my favourite, one of life’s gentlemen. There were many more. The friendships were great, and I wasn’t too bad at the auld ‘gas cooker’ either.”
Success stories
It was a “proud day” when Karl introduced his two sons - Justin and Ryan - to CYMS.
Karl, who works in construction and is a former Foróige leader, is himself a life member of Cavan CYMS and has served as a committee member. Despite moving to England for a period Karl never forgot how the members at CYMS Cavan treated both him and others. “It stayed with me. Both my sons are now life members as well. It’s just a great outlet for young men in Cavan. I’ve seen so many success stories come out of this club, and I know it’s the name in other clubs around the country.”
Last year CYMS Cavan celebrated 25 years in its new impressive clubrooms with an event dedicated to deceased members. They coupled that with making a large donation they made to the Cavan Cathedral Restoration Fund.
Just last summer CYMS Cavan forked out €10,000 for a Rassan professional standard snooker table, complete with heated slate bed, to join with their other two tables, both of which date back to the 1920s, but loving cared for, have stood the test of time.
Later this year CYMS Cavan will host the second Eden Heaslip Memorial Cup competition for young members.
Memberships start from €5 for a junior member for a full year, and €30 for a senior.
“This club isn’t about money. This club is about people. It’s very important that people know we’re here. Thursday night is registration night. Last week we had a man and his son join from Arva who never knew before he came through the door that we even existed.
“For me the emphasis and the importance will always be on the younger member. Those doors are open 364 days of the year. Like it was for me growing up, it’s a safe space, off the street, play a few games and head home.”