Lest we not forget the Messy Messy Tour of '03... this man was SUPERB! How could anyone have realised that Vodka and Red Bull is to Ivan Stuart is what a fucking phone box is to Clark Kent!

He was brilliant. He transcended the gaps that could have existed with our group dynamic and was absolutely fabulous, offering a shoulder to cry on for those that needed it, and not being afraid to let the very same shoulder be thrown up upon, by comrades who went too far with the V+RB's.

A superb holiday performance by the Sleeveless Superstar - and not forgetting the many messy weekends right throughout the year in which he starred.

( = = Read the full votes & comments on the TOTY 2003 page = = )

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For the 11 Spotters who frequented this pub, there could be no other winner!

Just when you're leaving the nightclub at 6 in the morning, Simplys' opens its door and welcomes all. We drank - we played drunken pool - we got messy - we saw Donal jump 40 feet in the air - we signed the flag - we left Ivan after us more than once - & we made it our local for one glorious week!

So if you ever find yourself in Santa Ponsa why not give a stroll down to "Ramón de Moncada, 37, Local 7" and tell Dave, Peter, Adam, DJ Pork Chop and all in Simplys that the Spotters sent you. & the Drink of choice while you're there? - well, nothing else but a pint of Vodka & Red Bull in honour of the Sleeveless Superstar would do!

Read the guestbook....!

For a record breaking 14 under in "Pub Golf" that Tiger Woods(?!) would have been proud of. (& getting past his "it's a terrible thing to be winning" moment!)

As for the court time, he worked in indefinable spurts i.e. off the bench for 5mins of hell for leather defence with his body trying to catch up to his legs then another five on the bench recuperating as if the marathon had been run to do all over again when the gaffer called upon him.

Overall : - Inspiring!

(Read the full votes & comments on the TOTY 2002 page )

"Toms" claimed the top prize with a 162 to 119 votes victory over popular runners-up Shanahans.

To be honest, the "Pub of the Year Voting Poll" was a total farce, shambles, mockery & fiasco! (much like all voting polls on this site!)

...but Toms was a deserved winner and importantly, this Stylish watering hole was without a doubt the venue for some classic spotter moments during 2002 ! (& I say stylish cos it has different music in the bog! ...classy.)

= = = = = = =
Now for some voters comments that were left during the voting process:

"When its time to get messy and down right ignorant to ever fucker within reaching distance theres only one pub - The Snug"

My vote has to be Bobby's. "Why?" I hear you cry! I'll tell you. - History, thats why.
Let me take you back a couple of years. The "Legend" and Bad Bob are sitting at the bar one quite Saturday afternoon when two German tourists walk into the bar. The "Legend" turns to Bobby and says...(Classic)...... "I don't like the look of your one!"

"Brennan's has to be drawing in some votes. After frank rahilly attempted to swallow a pool ball whole along with a point of cider.What a guy!!!"

To the tune of Sisqo - Thong Song - "That Tom, ta-Tom, Tom,Tom's"

Biggie downing a pint of Guinness off the head in Shanahans. Priceless.

& Cormac "Begbie"Lyons throwing his shot-glass in the Hotel and hitting the one person he was trying to avoid.

The Wasters team captain shows up at half-time and changes the course of the semi-final - ....until then we looked like we might actually win!

This one was tough with Kevin and Mick running each other close. But although Kevin puked his ring up and told nobody and spilled drink at will, the award must go to Mick "I can drink shots of water" O'Donoghue.

Not only did Mick drink a shot of water instead of a sambuca he was also caught dumping his Guinness down the sink of Shanahans. Shame on you. (No wonder you saw fit to leave the country!!)

Travelled hundreds of miles to be with us for the blitz 2001. Gave it his all on the court - including some hair-raising and death-defying moves never before seen on a basketball court! And not forgetting the top tunes throughout the year. No1 in 2001.

Honourable mention: Ivan Stuart - finally earning the title of Superstar with a last second winning basket in the final! He'll never reach the same dizzying heights again....Should probably retire.

For sheer volume of drink consumed within its walls over the year, the Snug easily wins this one. The venue for most team meetings and trainings, it produced many moments that we should never forget but unfortunately can't remember! Still waiting for a Christmas drink though...

Honourable mention: Shoemakers - for one memorable night...

Somewhere in the region of 417,000 pints of Heineken were spilt over the Christmas period around the world but you can take that the Spotters were guilty of a few thousand at least! The beverage of choice for many a messy night!

Honourable Mention: Bulmers, which due to a severe increase in price was forced to withdraw from the title race late in the year!

One of the toughest categories... so tough, in fact, that the judges are still out on this one! Videos are being looked at, photos examined and witnesses questioned at this very moment in an effort to decide.

Honourable Mention: Each of the entire Chemical Sisters panel - they tried so hard, got so far, but in the end.... they were kicked off the court by St. Annes!

The messiest moments are thankfully just blurred memories and are better left unspoken!

Honourable Mention: goes to the many away-trips during the year which were definitely strong contenders ...Cork in the summer ...Dublin in the Autumn ...Killarney in the winter ...to name a few!

All had some moments that will be remembered for years and many that were forgotten on the night!

Honourable Mention: The 21st that are yet to come - they mightn't have happened yet but we just know they're going to be good!