Cavan's Aodhagen O'Neill won the Martin Kelly Memorial Cup in The Hollywood Bar in Roscommon on Sunday. The former Irish No. 1 won in 2007 and was Runner up in last years event. But this time round a string of classy performances saw him crowned worthy winner, out of a total of 45 players. Several Roscommon players featured well on the day with Jimmy Reilly, Sean Fleming, and last years winner Mick Egan knocked out in the last 8. However losing semi-finalists Mark Finneran and David Concannon were the pick of the Roscommon bunch. In what was game of the day, the O'Neill recorded a 5-2 semi-final win over David Concannon, with a three dart average of 92.86, finishing out with an 11-dart-leg. A 6-2 win over Mayo's PJ Kavanagh in the final began with O'Neill including a 180 in a first leg 20-darts. Kavanagh replied with a 21-darter in the second- before continuing to open up the third leg with a 180. Despite this O'Neill took it in 15 darts. A 14 darter from put the Cavan man 3-1 up. That was bettered to 5-1 with 20 and 17 dart legs and O'Neill missed three clear darts in the 7th leg to win it out but Kavanagh took out a superb 136 checkout to spark a mini revival. The 15-dart winning leg for O'Neill ended with a 101 checkout.
The family of the late Martin Kelly wish to thank all those who supported the Martin Kelly Memorial Cup today and since it started four years ago. A special thanks to those who gave spot prizes. Fleming's Supervalu, Moma's Restaurant,Castlemine Free Range Farm, Morelli's, Abbey Hotel, Walsh's Spar,and Ruby Oil, Also a special thanks to Tommy Beirne who without his help this event would not take place. Thanks to Gordon Feeley, Jason Hoare, Michael Kelly, Sean Fleming, Luke Concannon, and Lori Hoare who all contributed to the running of this event. Thanks to John Paul O'Gara, who hosted the event and for his generous sponsorship. Thanks to Martin Fleming for all his help and for calling the finals. Thanks to everybody who bought raffle tickets on the day. A total of €450 was raised for Cancer Research. We hope to have all your support again next year. Thank you.
Results
Quarter Finals:
PJ Kavanagh 4 Mick Egan 2;
David Concannon 4 Jimmy Reilly 1;
Aodhagen O'Neill 4 Eddie Gray 0;
Mark Finneran 4 Sean Fleming 1.
Semi-finals:
PJ Kavanagh 5 Mark Finneran 1;
Aodhagen O'Neill 5 David Concannon 2.
Final:
Aodhagen O'Neill 6 PJ Kavanagh 2.
Lady of the Tournament: Barbara Victory.
Highest Checkout: Richard Southam Snr. 144.
Other notable checkouts: M.Finneran 143, PJ Kavanagh 136, M.Finneran 112, M.Egan 108, A.O.Neill 101.
| Year | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Sean Finan (Roscommon) | Sean McGowan (Sligo) |
| 2007 | Aodhagen O Neill (Cavan) | Sean Fleming (Roscommon) |
| 2008 | Mick Egan (Roscommon) | Aodhagen O Neill (Cavan) |
| 2007 | Aodhagen O Neill (Cavan) | PJ Kavanagh (Mayo) |
