Roscommon players excel at Friendship Tournament.
Ballaghaderreen's Sean Fleming made his final appearance as an Irish U-21 at the 4 Nation Youth Friendship Trophy Tournament in Dublin at the weekend. It was Sean's seventh successive year involved in this 15-a-side event which seen the best young players England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Rep.of Ireland go head to head for the three day fest. The Republic of Ireland team fielded a very strong team with players from ten counties. Roscommon were well represented on the panel with four more representatives. Ballinaheglish's David Concannon, Mark Finneran, Thomas and Gary Concannon. In the end the Republic of Ireland team fell just short of the mark losing out to the English side by a single point.
A massive effort was put in by the fast improving Irish side over the weekend. Superb individual performances got them within sight of beating the well established English side- who now make it their 7th win on the trot in this event. The Roscommon players on the Irish panel did not dissappoint in any way and were responsible for 1/3 of the Irish points tally. Mark Finneran and Thomas Concannon were in excellent form winning all their games. Finneran's average of 83.34 was highest of the Irish averages in the Republic's 11-4 win over Scotland. Thomas Concannon's 12-dart winning leg against his English counterpart helped him along to an average of 90.68 which was highest Irish average against England. Scores of 134,140,180, were followed by a 47 checkout to seal that 12-darter. David Concannon also contributed well in the win over Scotland. But a couple of missed doubles in his next two games cost him dear. Sean Fleming saved his only win for the English clash. Missed doubles also costing him further wins. The youngest of the Roscommon's players Gary Concannon who has age on his side for years to come did not play this time round.
Thomas Concannon and Mark Finneran will represent the Republic of Ireland again in Holland this July for the Europe Cup. Their team mates for that trip to Holland are Mayo's Martin Heneghan and Kilkenny's Paddy Meaney. Both Heneghan and Meaney were also in top form at the weekend.

Youth Friendship Trophy 2009.
Saturday 23rd May
Round 1
Rep of Ireland 11 Scotland 4
England 12 Northern Ireland 3

Round 2
Rep of Ireland 7 England 8
Northern Ireland 3 Scotland 12

Sunday 24th
Round 3
Rep of Ireland 10 Northern Ireland 5
England 10 Scotland 5

Final standings:
Northern Youth England 31 points, Rep of Ireland 30, Scotland 22, N.Ireland 8.

Sunday's 4 Nations World Masters Qualifier was won by Wexford's Jason Cullen.

The Connaughts
Creaton's run in The Connaught Darts Championships came to an end with a semi final defeat to Reid's of Newport last Monday night in Walsh's, Charlestown. The Loughlynn team were last years runners up. Creaton's took the opening game and led 2-1 at the break. But Reid's- winners from 2002-2007- started the singles well and ended up 5-3 winners. Reid's of Newport took the title with a 5-3 win over The Ship Inn from Sligo on Sunday evening.

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