A1 all round for Roscommon.
Pete Donnellon Cup Success.
The Pete Donnellon Cup is Roscommon's again after an 11-2 overall win over Longford on Sunday at Hannon's Hotel Roscommon Town. A minutes silence prior to the match in memory of the late Tom Finan was well observed by all present before all settled in for what was a very enjoyable afternoon of Intercounty darts. It turned out to be more one-sided scorewise than predicted although the homeside were made to work hard in almost all games. The result is ideal in the build up to next weeks West Coast Challenge in Castlebar in which 8 Western counties take part. Captain on the day Jimmy Reilly accepted the Donnellon Cup on behalf of the Roscommon Team. Mens Panel - Mick Kilroe, Gerry Murphy, Patrick Tansey, Denis Coffey, Jimmy Finn, Sean Fleming, Martin Fleming, Padraig Kearney, Francis Hussey,Thomas Concannon, David Concannon, Mark Finneran, Paul Carton, Jimmy Reilly, Mick Egan, Martin Murphy, Frank Duffy.
Roscommon's Youths also had a fine 11-3 win over their Longford counterparts for the Youths Plate. 14 Youths from all over Roscommon represented their county on the day- the largest number for the county in some time.
Fleming on top in A1 Roofing Singles.
Ballaghaderreen's Sean Fleming was the big winner of the A1 Singles sponsored by A1 Roofing Ltd. Cortoonmore, Ballaghaderreen. Thirty six players from both panels went to head in what turned out to be a competition dominated by Roscommon players. All Longford players exiting before the Quarter Final stage. Mark Finneran and Mick Egan played out a thrilling last 8 match in which Finneran popped in an 11 dart leg, eventually winning out with a 104 checkout and nothing to spare. Jimmy Finn clocked 180 and a tidy 118 checkout en route to a 4-3 win over Martin Fleming. Patrick Tansey came close to knocking out Tommy Kenny Cup winner David Concannon but the younger held on to win. And Sean Fleming completed the Last 8 with a 4-2 win over Padraig Kearney. In an all- Ballaghaderreen semi-final Sean Fleming was too strong for Jimmy Finn. Fleming opened up with a 14-dart leg and never looked back securing a 5-1 win. David Concannon and Mark Finneran played out a much closer semi in an all- Ballinaheglish clash. Both were tied at 3-3, but Concannon with a back to back 180 and an 88 checkout on the bull made it 4-3. He also built up a lead in the next leg and took it with a 126 checkout which was also ended on the bull to set up a final with Fleming.
Some recent Finals played out at Hannon's Hotel have been of very high quality, however this one was arguably the best. In the best of 11 clash-Fleming won the first two legs in 26 and 18 darts, before Concannon opened up his account in leg three with a 16 darter. Fleming went 3-1 up with an 18 dart leg that ended with a 107 checkout. But Concannon soon levelled it again with 16 and 15 dart legs with 180's in both. A 100 checkout in another 18-dart 7th leg put Fleming one up again. But yet again Concannon replied with back to back legs of 17 and 16 darts, both players adding 180's in the 17 darter. But Fleming was to take the final two legs in 20 and 18 darts with a winning effort of 75 with his opponent sitting on 50. It is the first time in six attempts that Sean Fleming won a competitive Final on Roscommon soil. Presentations were made by Seamus and Kieran Duffy of A1 Roofing, Ballaghaderreen to all winners.
Last 16-M.Finneran (Ros) bt A.Dempsey (Lon); M.Egan (Ros) bt D.Coffey (Ros); J.Finn (Ros) bt S.Ganley (Lon); M.Fleming (Ros) bt M.Kilroe (Ros); D.Concannon (Ros) bt H.Reilly (Lon); P.Tansey (Ros) bt J.Reilly (Ros); S.Fleming (Ros) bt M.Murphy (Ros); P.Kearney (Ros) bt P.Kelly (Lon).
Last 8-Mark Finneran 4 Mick Egan 3; Jimmy Finn 4 Martin Fleming 3; David Concannon 4 Patrick Tansey 2; Sean Fleming 4 Padraig Kearney 1.
Semi Finals- David Concannon 5 Mark Finneran 3; Sean Fleming 5 Jimmy Finn 1.
Final- Sean Fleming 6 David Concannon 5.
Higher Checkouts in the A1 Singles- Mick Egan 138, David Concannon 126, Jimmy Finn 118, Sean Fleming 107, Mark Finneran 104, Jimmy Finn 104, Sean Fleming 100.
Stats from Final.
Sean Fleming- 100's-16. 140's-5 180's-1. 3 dart avg- 78.36. Single- 26.12
David Concannon- 100's- 14. 140's-4 180's-4. 3 dart avg- 81.36. Single- 27.12
A1 Roofing Ltd- Cortoonmore, Ballaghaderreen 086-6095982.