Padraig Kearney wins A1 Roofing Ltd Singles.
Roscommon Intercounty player Padraig Kearney won the A1 Roofing Ltd sponsored Double in Double out Singles held at Hannon's Hotel, Roscommon on Saturday evening last. Over 30 of the best darts players from across the county took part in the event in which there was a prizefund of almost €750. It was the second running of the tournament generously sponsored by Seamus Duffy at A1 Roofing Ltd Cortoonmore, Ballaghaderreen. Sean Fleming won last year’s running- but this was the first time on Roscommon soil that the players were tested by the tricky double in double out format. At the end of the evenings action it was former Irish youth and Senior International Padraig Kearney who tasted the first local success of 2010- and his first success in some time.
The draw threw up all kinds of surprises, with all 4 boards providing equally tough paths through to the semi finals. While the new format would test any player, some of the counties more experienced players were to depart the competition in the first round namely Sean Finan, James McIntyre, Tony Lyons, Gerry Owens and Martin Kearney. Recent Christmas Singles winner Francis Hussey was also out after the first round. The second round seen Tommy Kenny Cup winner- Sean Fleming depart the race. Jimmy Reilly, Mick Egan, Noel Ryan, and Martin Murphy also failed to progress any further. The quarter finals seen Wayne Harris overcome Thomas Concannon on a 4-3 scoreline. A 120 checkout from Wayne Harris during that contest, was outdone by a 150 checkout from Thomas Concannon- which was the highest of the day. Martin Fleming overcame John Paul Feeney in the board two final on a 4-1 scoreline. Patrick Tansey pipped Paul Carton in a match that went to the death in the board three final. And Padraig Kearney continued his progress with a 4-2 win over David Concannon.
Both semi finals went to the deciding leg. Neither of the respective winners led at any stage, until it was over. Patrick Tansey led Wayne Harris 3-2 and 4-3 but a battling Harris got the rub of the green in the last two legs to progress at Tansey's expense. Martin Fleming held leads of 1-0, 3-1, and 4-2 against Padraig Kearney. But he could not hit that all important match winning double despite making numerous visits to the board. A fortunate- but relieved Kearney reaching the final with a 5-4 win.
In the Final both Kearney and Harris checked in better than they checked out. Hitting 42x100+ scores between them throughout, the first 6 legs were shared- all going with the darts. Kearney opened up with a 23 darter ending with a 66 checkout. A nervy 2nd leg was taken by Harris before an 18 darter from Kearney made it 2-1. A 19 dart leg from Harris levelled again. But Kearney with a 20 dart leg took the lead again in the 5th. Harris struggled through the 6th leg to take it. Kearney slipped up by missing doubles out in the 7th leg as Harris broke the throw. Kearney responded to take the 8th leg but Harris managed to break the throw again in the 9th leg in a 20 darter to take the lead again. But Harris- who was now throwing with the darts for the match failed to get off in the 10th leg until his 11th dart and handed Kearney a head start which he used to good effect. With the score now at 5-5, Kearney stood up to the task much better. Although Kearney failed to get away until his 4th dart Harris failed to capitalize on that error. Scores of 135,140, and 100 aided Kearney down to his match winning checkout on double 8.
Presentations were made by Seamus Duffy of A1 Roofing Ltd, Cortoonmore, Ballaghaderreen to prize winners and to the Champion himself- Padraig Kearney.
Roscommon County Darts wish to thank Seamus Duffy of A1 Roofing Cortoonmore, Ballaghaderreen for their very generous sponsorship of this event. It is very much appreciated.
Scores:-
Last 16:-(T.Concannon bt S.Fleming; W.Harris bt J.Reilly; M.Fleming bt M.Finneran; J.P.Feeney bt P.Byrne; P.Carton bt M.Murphy; P.Tansey bt D.Coffey; D.Concannon bt N.Ryan; P.Kearney bt M.Egan).
Last 8-(W.Harris 4 T.Concannon 3; M.Fleming 4 J.P.Feeney 1; P.Tansey 4 P.Carton 3; P.Kearney 4 D.Concannon 2).
Semi- Finals:- (W.Harris 5 P.Tansey 4; P.Kearney 5 M.Fleming 4).
Final- P.Kearney 6 W.Harris 5.
Highest Checkouts:- Thomas Concannon 150, Pat Byrne 125, Patrick Tansey 124,Wayne Harris 120.
Final Stats.
Padraig Kearney 6-5 Wayne Harris
20:100+:16
2:140+:4
0:180's:0
33%:Check-in:32%
17%:Check-out:17%
25%:Overall:25%