The first event of the 1998/99 season has been won by the ex-snooker pro, Tommy Murphy. The Billy Mills Memorial, sponsored by The Windsor Club, and the NI Billiards Association, is a non-ranking event as past Northern Ireland Champions are not permitted to enter. In the final, played at the Windsor Club rooms, in front of a large crowd, Murphy just got home by 18 points over the 2 hour game. Aaron Cahoon, Murphy´s opponent, had lead throughout the game by over 100 points up to the final 15 minutes when Murphy came with runs of 42, 36, 39 and 20 unfinished to lift the title.
In the semi-finals, Cahoon defeated Eugene Rogan by 22 points over 1½ hours, while Murphy beat Davy Pogue by 42 points in two very close games.
Highest break prize went to Jimmy Victor McLaughlin with 106. The prizes were handed over by Windsor Chairman, Billy Craig, and the Associate secretary Davy Pogue who congratulated both finalists for providing such an exciting game of billiards. Thanks was also given to the NI Referees Association, who officiated the matches, and The Windsor Club for staging the event.
The opening shots of the first ranking event were fired at the Bangor Reading Rooms Billiards Classic which commenced Sunday 27th September. Tony Buttimer was quick off the blocks, running out an easy winner over Bob Broome 400-132, aided by breaks of 52, 60, 74 and 100, which also set the target for the top break prize.
Jimmy Victor McLaughlin was also in good form, having runs of 51, 52 and 71 in his victory over Tommy Murphy. Eugene Rogan from the home club, defeated clubmate Darl Hayes in the all-Bangor clash. Davy Pogue knocked in runs of 39, 41, 51 and 73 against another Bangor man, George Thompson. Freddie Cahoon got the better of fellow Windsor player Sammie Currie, while Paddy Donnelly—the holder— got through by defeating Brian Haskell. Pat Flynn shocked Joe Drain with a good solid performance, and former Northern Ireland Champions Sammy Clarke and John McIntyre also came through at the expense of Aaron Cahoon and Des O'Reilly. Jimmy Millar had a comfortable victory over Sam Menelly which included a top break of 73, and in the closest match of the day Joe McAlister just pipped Billy Craig of Windsor by 24 points.
Davy Elliot moved into the semi-final with a solid performance against West Belfast player, Sammy Clarke, making runs of 71, 60, 52 and 50 in the match of 400 up. Freddie Cahoon ensured his place by defeating John McIntyre in a closely fought game, eventually edging home by just 28 points. Davy Pogue came back from the dead with breaks of 47, 60 and 69 late in his match, to just pip Jimmy Victor McLaughlin by 23 points. At one stage McLaughlin had lead by over 100 points and looked all over the winner until Pogue´s final charge took him home in a very exciting tie. Paddy Donnelly had breaks of 80 and 52 but was unable to prevent Tony Buttimer taking the last semi-final place as he clinched a 113 point victory. Buttimer had a best beak of 60 and others of 48 an 41.
| Tony Buttimer | 500 | Davy Pogue | 488 | ||
| Davy Elliot | 500 | Freddie Cahoon | 135 |
Davy Pogue and Tony Buttimer had a great tussle before Buttimer edged home in a very close match between the two international players. Buttimer had the highest break of the tie with 60. In the other semi- final, Davy Elliott was in sparking form, having runs of 149, 138, 63 and 66 unfinished, to overwhelm Freddie Cahoon, who included a break of 52 in his 135 point aggregate.
| Davy Elliott | 600 | Tony Buttimer | 236 |
The final, played over 600 up, proved to be very one-sided, with Elliott dominating the match from the onset. Breaks of 80 and 57 helped him to a winning margin of 364 points. Davy Elliot also took the competition high break prize with his 149, made in the semi-final. Prizes were handed over by George Thompson, Treasurer of the Reading Rooms. Donations were also given to the NI Referee´s Association and the NI Billiards association.