Flanagan's won their 6th title with a narrow win over neighbours McDermott's in a thrilling final. The Claypipe Bar won the Shield Final, as they defeated Spell's in a game that went to the last leg.
Cup Final result:
Flanagan's, Castleplunket 4 McDermott's, Ballinaheglish 3 (21-18).
Shield Final result:
The Claypipe Bar, Knockcroghery 4 Spell's, Ballaghaderreen 3 (14-16).
Roscommon County Darts League Cup Final for the Willie Tiernan Perpetual Cup.
Flanagan's of Castleplunkett were crowned the Overall Winners of the 2008/2009 Hannon's Hotel Roscommon County Darts League after a gripping 4-3 victory over McDermott's of Ballinaheglish. Flanagan's sixth title in nine attempts underlines their dominance on the local darts scene over the past decade- but this time they were made to work very hard having seen their 3-0 lead on the night obliterated by a stunning comeback by McDermott's. Kevin Kearney proved Flanagan's hero as he threw the winning arrow in front of a massive crowd on what was a great day for both Local and National Sport.
Game 1- Flanagan's 1 McDermott's 0
Flanagan's Gerry Owens and McDermott's Luke Concannon went head to head in game one. Concannon took the first leg- with both players well matched throughout. A 180 effort in his second last throw helped a battling Concannon but could not prevent Owens taking a 4-1 win.
Game 2- Flanagan's 2 McDermott's 0
Flanagan's Francis Hussey took a 4-3 win over the in form Mark Finneran in game two. Both players had put their teams into the final after respective semi final playoffs. Now pitched against each other they had 28 x 100+ scores between them- (18 for Hussey). Finneran took legs 1,3,and 6 in 23,19 and 20 darts. Hussey took legs legs 2,4,and 5 in 17,22 and 17 darts with 180's in legs legs 3 and 5. A 17-dart deciding leg from Hussey included scores of 137,100,121 and 60 taking out 83 in five darts with Finneran sitting on 90.
Game 3- Flanagan's 3 McDermott's 0.Padraig Kearney increased the lead to 3-0 with a 4 leg to nil win over a double troubled Joe Elliffee. Kearney improved as the game wore on including a 180 in his 20-dart winning leg.
Game 4-Flanagan's 3 McDermott's 1.
McDermott's Thomas Concannon took a 2-0 lead over Martin Kearney with 26 and 21 dart legs. Kearney replied with 18 and 22 dart legs to level. Concannon took the fifth and Kearney had one dart to level it in the sixth but missed before a stunning 94 checkout on the bull by Concannon opened up McDermott's account on the night.
Game 5-Flanagan's 3 McDermott's 2.
David Conannon threw aside his recent under par form to produce an inspirational performance to beat a struggling Noel Ryan 4-0. Winning legs of 17 and 21 darts were followed by a sloppier 30-dart leg before he closed out with a winning leg of 19 darts.
Game 6- Flanagan's 3 McDermott's 3.
Brian McCormack and Andy Fallon felt the heat as their game went all the way to a deciding leg in what was a nervy encounter. McCormack had four darts to win it for Flanagan's but Fallon held on to send it to the last pairing.
Game 7- Flanagan's 4 McDermott's 3.
After six months of darts it was left to Flanagan's Kevin Kearney and McDermott's Michael Fallon to sort out the destination of the Willie Tiernan Perprtual Cup. Fallon gave McDermott's the lead for the first time in the Final in taking the first leg. Kearney responded to take the second. An 18 darter in leg three gave Kearney the lead before Fallon took the fourth. Kearney took leg five unhindered to set up a leg for the match. Fallon put in a massive effort to try and save the match with scores of 140,100,60,60 and 79- but failed to hit his double missing numerous darts to force a decider. Kearney with his fifth dart for the match made no mistake to wrap up the League for another year.
Scores:-(Gerry Owens 4 Luke Concannon 1;Francis Hussey 4 Mark Finneran 3;Padraig Kearney 4 Joe Elliffee 0;Martin Kearney 2 Thomas Concannon 4;Noel Ryan 0 David Concannon 4;Brian McCormack 3 Andy Fallon 4;Kevin Kearney 4 Michael Fallon 2).
Roscommon County Darts Shield Final
Preceeding the Cup Final was the Roscommon County Darts Shield Final. Last years Shield runners-up The Claypipe Bar of Knockcroghery got the better in this one with a fine 4-3 win over last years Cup Champions Spell's of Ballaghaderreen. Spell's won 16-14 on legs but The Claypipe done what mattered most. Sean Fleming gave Spell's the early lead with a blistering 3-0 win over Tony Lyons who did very little wrong. Mick Egan recovered from a slow start to close out with 19 and 16 dart legs in his 3-1 win over Denis Coffey. Jimmy Reilly gave The Claypipe the lead with a well worked 3-2 win over Martin Fleming. Fleming had 180's in his 20 and 17 dart winning legs while Reilly had winning legs of 24, 23 and a 15 darts. Spell's Aiden Tansey beat Danny Byrne 3-1 in game four before Pat Byrne restored The Claypipe's lead with a hard fought 3-2 win over Jimmy Finn. Patrick Tansey ensured a deciding game with his 3-1 win over Scobie Connaughton. In that decider Paul Carton enjoyed a 3-2 win over Benji Hayden. Both players put in very credible performances but Carton's winning legs of 23,16 and 23 darts were enough to take the Shield home to South Roscommon for the first time. Scores:-(S.Fleming 3 T.Lyons 0;D.Coffey 1 M.Egan 3; M.Fleming 2 J.Reilly 3;A.Tansey 3 D.Byrne 1;J,Finn 2 P.Byrne 3;P.Tansey 3 N.Connaughton 1;B.Hayden 2 P.Carton 3).
Acknowledgements
The 2008/09 league seen 8 teams involving 96 players play 1602 legs of darts between them. For the best part the standard was even across the county with the weaker teams improving on last year- and contributing to a closer and more unpredictable League. There were 63 x 180 scores of which 8 were from Mark Finneran's. 54 x 100+ checkouts were recorded- (16 more than last year)- with Murray's Matthew Hynes effort of 167 top of the pile. Mark Finneran topped the 180's list with a total of 8.
Although a small League compared to others across the country the Roscommon County Darts League is continuing to produce players that are capable of winning bigger things. The change in League format over the past two years along with trials and local competitions has given more players the chance to play more darts. Improvements are already visible and hopefully will be built on. Roscommon's quest for All-Ireland titles at Senior level is gathering pace. With the help and effort of players, organisers, supporters and sponsors all combined within the League can make it become reality.
Roscommon County Darts wishes to thank all the Publicans across the county who participated in the League, and for providing refreshements and good hospitality on a weekly basis. Thanks to all supporters who followed the League with interest, and who attended games each week and the finals in Roscommon last Saturday. Thanks also to Tommy Beirne and Martin Murphy for taking charge of the Shield Final. Thanks to Dermot Fallon for his on board camera at Saturday's finals and Hannon's Hotel for the use of their venue.
