Good run for Men in INDO Inter Counties - attention turns to Youths
Roscommon Mens Intercounty darts team followed up their Pete Donlon Cup success over Longford ten days ago with a run to the Quarter Final of the I.N.D.O. All Ireland Intercounty Darts Championships in Castlebar at the weekend. Saturday's group wins over Offaly (7-5), Cavan (8-4), and Clare (7-5) meant Roscommon finished on top of their group. Opposition in the last 8 was Wexford who disposed of Roscommon at an earlier stage last year. However unlike Saturday last, Roscommon failed to make the desired start on Sunday. Wexford built up a 4-1 lead and despite best efforts, a 7-2 defeat could not be stopped. The run equals Roscommon's best efforts in recent years having lost at the same stage in 2008 and 2009. Bad weather since early December and a short Christmas break meant that the mens intercounty panel had not played together untill mid January. Familiar and new faces from within the Roscommon Darts League put in a great effort within the past three weeks to play well enough to make the Last 8. Four wins in five outings- making it a good three weeks overall.

Roscommon 7 Offaly 5. (17-12 on legs).
Saturday's group games paired Roscommon with Offaly, Cavan and Clare. Early performances were steady, although early nerves played their part. In Round 1 Offaly held leads of 3-2 and 4-3 and proved hard overcome. Mick Egan and Mick Kilroe got the ball rolling with wins. Offaly took the next three before John Paul Feeney used his best performance of the weekend to level 3-3. Offaly took the 7th game, but Patrick Tansey and Sean Fleming replied well to give Roscommon a 5-4 lead. Offaly took the 10th game followed by impressive and very important wins from Gerry Owens and David Concannon. Scores:-M.Egan 2,L.McGreal 1;M.Kilroe 2,D.McEvoy 0;W.Harris 0,J.Bracken 2;P.Carton 1,C.Ryan 2;P.Connaughton 1,P.Barret 2;J.P.Feeney 2,J.Landy 0;M.Murphy 1,I.Mahon 2;P.Tansey 2,A.McDermott 0;S.Fleming 2,A.Guilfoyle 0;L.Docherty 0,S.O Hara 2;G.Owens 2,T.O.Brien;D.Concannon 2,A.Keane 1.

Roscommon 8 Cavan 4. (17-10 on legs).
Round 2 pitched Roscommon against Cavan where Roscommon burst into a 5-0 lead. Wins from Mick Egan, Mick Kilroe, Wayne Harris, Paul Carton and Paddy Connaughton seen Cavan take only two legs. From here games were swapped right till the end as John Paul Feeney dipped in form but was still unlucky not to make it 6-0 after putting in an opening leg that deserved more. Tony Thacker in his only display of the weekend made it 6-1. Patrick Tansey was beaten in game 7 just before Sean Fleming put in a very good display to make it 7-2. Gerry Owens won game 11 as Lenny Docherty and David Concannon suffered defeats in games 10 and 12. Scores:- M.Egan 2,M.Hughes 1;M.Kilroe 2,K.Clarke 0;W.Harris 2,P.Reilly 0;P.Carton 2,S.Tormey 0;P.Connaughton 2,M.Doggott 1;J.P.Feeney 0,P.H.O Brien 2;T.Thacker 2,D.O.Connor 0;P.Tansey 0, E.Brady 2;S.Fleming 2,R.Venton 0;L.Docherty 0,D.Shekelton 2;G.Owens 2,K.O.Neill 0;D.Concannon 1,J.Lynn 2.

Roscommon 7 Clare 5. (18-15 on legs).
Roscommon produced some of their best darts of the weekend in this clash against a much improved Clare side on recent years. For the third time on the day Mick Egan and Mick Kilroe got Roscommon off to a perfect gaining a 2-0 lead. Clare pulled it back to 2-2 as Wayne Harris and Paul Carton failed to hit the mark. Paddy Connaughton's win over talented Clare youngster Sean Lahiff was crucial to the Roscommon effort as he produced a great display to restore Roscommon's lead. Connaughton's win inspired Sean Fleming to put in his best display of the weekend as he struck home checkouts of 96 and 100 to put Roscommon 4-2 up. The last 6 games were won in the deciding leg. A win from Sean Finan was followed by wins from crucial wins Gerry Owens and David Concannon booking Roscommon's place in Sunday's quarter finals. Scores:- M.Egan 2,G.Dawson 0;M.Kilroe 2,J.Burns 1;W.Harris 0,K.O.Brien 2;P.Carton 0,J.Dickenson 2;P.Connaughton 2,S.Lahiff 1;S.Fleming 2,N.Keane 0;J.P.Feeney 1,T.Fay 2;S.Finan 2,K.O.Connor 1;P.Tansey 1,T.Scully 2;L.Docherty 1,M.Mullins 2;G.Owens 2,P.Casey 1;D.Concannon 2,B.Haugh 1.

All Ireland Quarter Final.
Roscommon 2 Wexford 7. First to 7. (6-14 on legs). Mick Egan opened up strongly against the darts in a high scoring opening leg against Noel Redmond. But a couple of missed doubles proved costly. Egan worked his way down to 48 in a good second leg but Redmond lashed in a 142 checkout to take the opening game. Despite missing a heap of doubles in a high scoring 1st leg, Mick Kilroe held his nerve to take a 2-0 win over Andrew Kavanagh to get Roscommon on the board. Despite the best efforts Gerry Owens and Sean Fleming, they went down in games 3 and 4 beaten with 14,15,16, and 17 dart legs. Jason Cullen striking checkouts of 142 and 54 against Fleming. Things got worse as John Paul Feeney was just pipped in game 5. Paddy Connaughton made it three wins from four on the weekend with a deserved 2-0 win over Andy Kavanagh to pull one back for Roscommon. But that was as good as the scoreline was to get. An under par Sean Finan had the odd chance but was beaten in game 7. Wayne Harris omproved on his Saturday's performances to put it up to highly rated Stephen Byrne. Harris took out a 125 in a 21 dart opening leg to hold his throw. But 15 and 16 dart legs from Byrne put Wexford one away from victory, despite the steady scoring of Harris throoughout. Game 9 was to be the last as recent A1 Roofing Ltd Singles Winner an improving Paul Carton was beaten 2-1, bringing Roscommon's involvement to an end. Scores:-M.Egan 0,N.Redmond 2;M.Kilroe 2,A.McCormack 0;G.Owens 1,D.Bradley 2;S.Fleming 0,J.Cullen 2;J.P.Feeney 1,PJ Stafford 2;P.Connaughton 2,A.Kavanagh 0;S.Finan 0,PJ Byrne 2;W.Harris 1,S.Byrne 2;P.Carton 1,A.Bennet 2. Panel in full, including Pete Donlon Cup- Mick Egan (Capt.), Mick Kilroe, John Paul Feeney, Sean Finan, Tony Thacker, Sean Fleming, Patrick Tansey, Gerry Owens, Martin Murphy, Lenny Docherty, Paddy Connaughton, Wayne Harris, David Concannon, Paul Carton, Jimmy Reillly, Pat Byrne, Mark Finneran. Manager- Martin Fleming;Assistant- Martin Kearney.

The Late Martin Hannon.
The entirity of Roscommon County Darts was saddened last Thursday to hear of the sudden death of Martin Hannon, Roscommon town. For over three years Martin had been kind sponsor and supporter of Roscommon County Darts. The County Panel had met in Hannon's Hotel last Wednesday night for a practice prior to the weekends All-Ireland's, with Martin speaking with players on the night. He was always friendly and obliging, making sure that everything ran as smoothly as possible before and during and after darts events at his venue. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and hotel staff at this time. May he rest in peace.

Youths aiming for All Ireland success.
The Roscommon Youths Darts team takes part in the All Ireland Youths Intercounties next Saturday and Sunday in The West County Hotel in Ennis, Co.Clare. Roscommon have been 3x time Champions in 2004,2005 and 2008. Managed by senior team player Sean Fleming and Tommy Beirne the team stand every chance of doing well on the weekend. All players and supporters from within the League wish the panel all the best. Travelling support is welcome.

Dates for the diary.
The Paddy Higgins darts tournament details will be available soon. Also the dates for the Martin Kelly Cup and the previously postponed Tommy Kenny Cup darts tournament will be available shortly. News on all will appear on Facebook's Roscommon County Darts page and at http://www.rosdarts.com/

League action returns.
League action returns next Friday night the 11th of February with the following fixtures: Timmy's v Hollywood
Creaton's v Flanagan's
McDermott's v Widow Pat's
Spell's v Kate's
The Chariot Bye Nights Game takes place Friday night with draw made. Winner qualifies for finals night.

Donlon Cup success for Roscommon.
Roscommon Mens and Youths made it a double success over Longford at The Annual Pete Donlon Cup held in Hannon's Hotel in Roscommon on Sunday 30th January. Roscommon's Youth side enjoyed a 7-3 win over Longford Youths while the Senior Mens team had a 7-5 win over their Longford counterparts in the main Pete Donlon Cup event. Bad weather since early December meant this was the first time that the Roscommon senior panel had played together this season. But with old and new faces, all combined to take what was a deserved success. Performances ranged from slightly rusty to the brilliant, in what was an entertaining clash played out in front of a decent crowd. Roscommon got off to a good start with a misfiring Sean Fleming taking the opening game. After dropping the opening leg Mick Egan- who was captain on the day- recovered well to make it 2-0 with a very steady performance. Longford took the third despite Martin Murphy's best efforts. John Paul Feeney aided by a 111 checkout and the outstanding Mick Kilroe gave Roscommon a deserved 4-1 lead. Kilroe sealed his win with two 18 dart legs. Game 6 went Longford's way as Sean Finan struggled to find form. Finan was followed by Paddy Connaughton who was improving as the game went on- but he too was pipped at the post. Gerry Owens after a sluggish first leg- finished clinically with a 16 darter in the second to give Roscommon a 5-3 lead. An under par Mark Finneran failed to play to his potential as Longford pulled it back to the minimum again. Wayne Harris took game 9 for Roscommon with a very solid display. Steady scoring key to his win. David Concannon's performance would have seen him win other games on the day, but his opponent Joe Nevin produced Longford's best performance on the day wrapping up with a 96 finish in a 15 dart leg to make it 6-5 to Roscommon. Patrick Tansey, who was Runner up at the recent A1 Roofing Ltd Singles sealed the win for Roscommon with a 2-1 win over Michael Reilly. Tansey went a leg down but held his nerve well to make up in some way for his A1 defeat. Play continued after the deciding game where Jimmy Reilly was beaten 2-1 in game 13. Tony Thacker, Pat Byrne and Lenny Docherty all secured wins to take a 10-6 over all scoreline for Roscommon. Although not having ideal preparation Roscommon deserved the win. Next up is The All-Ireland Intercounties in Castlebar next weekend the 5th and 6th of February. Roscommon were beaten Quarter finalists in 2008 and 2009 and will be looking for similiar progress in 2011. Presentation of The Pete Donlon Cup was then made to Roscommon's Captain Mick Egan. Highest checkouts from each county were Roscommon's John Paul Feeney (111), and Longford's Joe Nevin (96). Full report and photos on Facebook and at http://www.rosdarts.com/

Donlon Cup Singles.
Roscommon's John Paul Feeney continued his good day to beat Longford's Joe Nevin in the Final of The Donlon Cup Singles in which 35 players toook part. Wins over David Concannon (3-1), Sean Clarke (3-1),Mark Finneram (3-1), Sean Fleming (3-2), was followed by a 4-3 win in the final over Nevin. The Youths Singles Final between Roscommon Youths Ryan Lynch and Aaron Lynch also went to a decider which eventually went Ryan's way. The Lynch's, both from Ballaghaderreen scored fairly steady, but finished very well with checkouts of 40 and 80 for Aaron. Checkouts of 40,40 and 64 coming for the winner.

League Update.
Round 14 of The Roscommon Darts League on Friday night last seen some of the best checkouts seen in the Roscommon Darts League for a long time with 6x100+ checkouts recorded on the night. Paddy Connaughton's checkouts of 161 and 136 in his 3-0 win over Mark Concannon were two of the best of the league so far. Richard Southam's checkout of 140 is 4th highest of the league to date. Wayne Harris added his 3rd 100+ ckeckout of the league with a 127. Thomas Conannon recorded a 120 checkout while Martin Fleming had a 108. David Concannon added 2x180's to his tally.
Roscommon Darts League Results Round 14.
The Chariot 2 Spell's 5. (11-16).
Flanagan's 5 Timmy's 2. (16-8).
Kate's 4 McDermott's 3. (18-12).
Creaton's v Widow Pat's OFF.
League Table and other news at http://www.rosdarts.com/ - Also on Facebook.