Obituary: Mr Duffin Neill - snooker pioneer

Mr Duffin Neill was proprietor of ‘Tricky’s snooker hall at Waveney Road, which opened in the late 1940s and was a popular venue for cuemen for more than 30 years, with six full-sized tables busy from Monday to Saturday each week.

Duffin, who lived at Inchkeith Road, Ballykeel, involved himself in bodybuilding and he subsequently removed one snooker table from the premises to open a fitness room which he later transferred to Church Street.

A man of quiet disposition, he was well liked by all the people who knew him.

Duffin, who died suddenly on February 5, is predeceased by wife Ester and survived by sons Stephen and Roy.

Interment took place at Ballymena cemetery following a service at Henry’s Funeral Parlour.