THE last pint has been pulled, final dart thrown and snooker ball potted at York's oldest club.

Saddened members reminisced over their last drink together yesterday at the Irish National League Club (INL), in Speculation Street, off Walmgate.

Its closure comes after the club's lease was sold to a local businessman because it went into receivership last year.

It is not yet known what will happen to the building, but landowner City of York Council has already had an initial offer made on the site.

The INL, which had about 200 members, was set up 112 years ago by the large number of migrant Irish workers who settled in the Walmgate area.

"To some people in here it's like they're losing a family," said club steward Lol Davitt, who lived at the premises.

"It has been a long, difficult week since the announcement. I'm trying to keep a cheery face on and make things as happy as possible.

"I'll really miss all the characters in here," added Lol, who hopes to stay within the hospitality industry.

Irish pensioner Gerry Conroy, who has been a member for more than 40 years, said: "It's really sad after all these years. But like death it comes to us all.

"I've got a lot of good memories, like the good snooker and bingo games we enjoyed.

"There was always a good atmosphere - I never had a quarrel with anyone."

Club president Alan Baines, who has been a member for 20 years, said the club's snooker and bowls matches can still be completed thanks to St Lawrence's WMC giving permission to use their facilities.

"It's a sad day," he said, "A lot of history is going down the drain."

The club has notched up a proud record of achievement in all kinds of sports, from rugby and football to snooker and darts.

Updated: 08:44 Tuesday, April 02, 2002