Great day For Roscommon In Kilkenny.
Mark Finneran and Thomas Concannon returned home to Oran with titles under their belts, winning their respective youth competitions at the Ireland Players Championship Finals in Kilkenny. It proved to be a good day for Oran, as McDermotts team mate Gerry Fallon won the 2009 All Ireland Poc Fada competition (singles and pairs).
Finneran won the Youth Championship competition, beating pre-tournament favourite Paddy Meaney from Kilkenny 3-2, with all legs won against the throw.
Concannon, the pre-tournament favourite for the Youth Plate competition, won that out on the day, beating Dublin's Dylan Routledge 3-0.
The hat-trick was on for Roscommon, but Mick Egan's early form sadly deserted him, as he went down at the quarter final stage in the Mens competition, to a very good Peter Quinn effort.
Despite some good earlier performances, with 3 wins in the group stage against John Elder (Antrim) 5-1, Fred Holligan (Laois) 5-2, and Dominic Fenlon (Wexford) 5-0, and 5-4 win over an excellent James Broderick (Kerry) effort in the last 16, Egan's last ever effort for Roscommon fell short, as Quinn - in the best display at the last eight stage with a 90 average - gained a deserved 5-1 win.
Quinn won through to the final, beating Cavans Aodhagan O'Neill in his semi-final. John Elder from Antrim, defeated another Antrim player, Brian Cathcart in the quarter finals, and Dublin's Garrett Gray in his semi-final.
John Elder won out the cometition, beating Quinn 6-4 in the final. Elder managed to get on top of Quinn from the start. Despite a mini revival from Quinn, including a 157 checkout in leg 9, Elder held on for a deserved win.
It was ironic in the end, as Egan had beaten Elder 5-1 earlier in the day in the group stages, but Elder improved from his bad start, to finally win his first Ireland Player's Championship.
Grand Finals day also marked the re-appearance of Kerry's Sean Marshall, who has been battling serious illness for several months. It was a welcome return to a great dart player and a very popular member of the national darting fraternity We wish him well on the road to a full recovery.
Men's results:
Last 16:
Mick Egan 5 - 4 James Broderick
Mick Barry 4 - 5 Peter Quinn
William O'Connor 4 - 5 Aodhagan O'Neill
Ricky Dunlop 4 - 5 Damien O'Driscoll
Connie Finnan 5 - 3 Darren Clifford
Garrett Gray 5 - 4 Martin Murphy
Brian Cathcart 5 - 3 Anto McCracken
Sean Marshall 3 - 5 John Elder
Quarter-finals:
Mick Egan 1 - 5 Peter Quinn
Aodhagan O'Neill 5 - 4 Damien O'Driscoll
Connie Finnan 1 - 5 Garrett Gray
Brian Cathcart 2 - 5 John Elder
Semi-finals:
Peter Quinn 6 - 4 Aodhagan O'Neill
Garrett Gray 4 - 6 John Elder
Final:
Peter Quinn 4 - 6 John Elder
Men's Highest Check-out:
170 Peter Quinn

Youths' results:
Championship Quarter-finals:
Paddy Meaney 3 - 1 Ryan Maher
Ryan Courtney 0 - 3 Martin Heneghan
James Gearon 0 - 3 Mark Finneran
Jason Hahessy 3 - 0 Dean Forde
Semi-finals:
Paddy Meaney 3 - 1 Martin Heneghan
Mark Finneran 3 - 1 Jason Hahessy
Final:
Paddy Meaney 2 - 3 Mark Finneran

Plate Quarter-finals:
Ciaran Sullivan 0 - 3 Thomas Concannon
Cathal Murphy 3 - 1 Conor Walsh
Murty Brown 1 - 3 Paul Donovan
Craig Casey 1 - 3 Dylan Rutledge
Semi-finals:
Thomas Concannon 3 - 0 Cathal Murphy
Paul Donovan 1 - 3 Dylan Rutledge
Final:
Thomas Concannon 3 - 0 Dylan Rutledge
Youth's Highest Check-out:
118 Murty Brown

Ladies' results:
Semi-finals:
Sharon O'Brien 2 - 3 Caroline Breen
Maureen Kelly 0 - 3 Denise Cassidy
Final:
Caroline Breen 1 - 4 Denise Cassidy
Ladie's Highest Check-out:
118 Denise Cassidy

Ireland Players Championships Grand Finals.
The Ireland Players Championships Grand Finals take place next Saturday August 1st from 12 noon- in the Springhill Court Hotel, Kilkenny. Roscommon county player Mick Egan from Kilteevan is the only Roscommon man to qualify for the finals after six ranking events held over the past 9 months. A total of 32 players seperated into 8 groups battle it out for the mens title- with Egan in a group that consists of John Elder, Dominic Fenlon, and Fred Holligan. Top two in each group go forward to the knockout stages.
Mark Finneran will hope to continue his very good form as he aims to take top honours in the Youths Championship and takes on Tipperary's James Gearon in the 8 player shootout. Mark lost to Ballinaheglish's David Concannon in the Final last year but carries better form into this years event- form which almost landed him a 9-darter last weekend also in Kilkenny. Thomas Concannon will be defending his Youths Plate title in which 16 players take part. Best of luck to all three players. Full draw can be viewed at www.dartsinireland.com .

O'Connor Takes Park Inn Singles
Luke Concannon, Mark Finneran, Sean Fleming and Mick Egan travelled to Kilkenny, and joined a field of 54 for an open singles at the Park Inn, Kilkenny city.
Luke Concannon and Mark Finneran were first round casualties. Finneran was particularly unlucky when going down to Fermanagh's Brendan Dolan. Finneran was on for the perfect 9-darter at one stage, hitting seven treble 20's, but he missed the treble 19.
Sean Fleming reached the last 16, before losing to Egan. Egan had the best run on the day, beating Jacko Barry (Dublin), Mick Dwyer (Kilkenny), Fleming and John Boisclair (Mayo) to reach the semi-finals. Egan lost out at the semi-final stage to eventual winner William O'Connor (Limerick). O'Connor won out on the day, beating Steve McDonnell (Meath).
Last 16 results:
Johnny Digan 1 - 5 Steve McDonnell; Sean Fleming 1 - 5 Mick Egan; William O'Connor 5 - 3 Denis McCarthy; Johnny Hannon 3 - 5 Brendan Dolan; Mick Meaney Jr 5 - 2 Shane O'Connor; John Boisclair 5 - 0 Connie Finnan; Noel Redmond 5 - 2 Noel Reilly; Shane Nolan 5 - 3 James Dowling.
Quarter-final results:
William O'Connor 5 - 2 Mick Meaney Jr; Steve McDonnell 5 - 3 Shane Nolan; Noel Redmond 5 - 4 Brendan Dolan; Mick Egan 5 - 4 John Boisclair.
Semi-finals:
Mick Egan 3 - 6 William O'Connor;
Noel Redmond 5 - 6 Steve McDonnell.
Final:
William O'Connor 6 - 1 Steve McDonnell

Bronze for Irish at Europe Cup
Well done the Irish team who claimed an excellent third spot at the 2009 Europe Cup in Eindhoven, Holland at the weekend. Managed by Kilkenny's Tom Keogh- Mark Finneran, Thomas Concannon, Martin Heneghan from Mayo and Kilkenny's Paddy Meaney were all in excellent form at the weekend.
In the Boys Singles Mark Finneran lost to the eventual winner Oscar Lukasiak in the Semi-Final on stage on Saturday morning. Mark progressed with wins on Friday over opponents from Wales (3-0), Hungary (3-1), Sweden (3-2) and Russia (2-1). Mark's run was one of the best by an Irish player in the 20 year history of the event. Thomas Concannon was unlucky to be beaten 3-2 in legs by Swedish opponent Birk Kamp in the first round on Friday. Martin Heneghan was beaten 3-2 by Dutch opponent Gilbert Van Der Meyden in Round 2. Paddy Meaney also lost to the eventual winner Oscar Lukasiak in the QF.
In the Boys Pairs- after a 1st round win over an English pair Mark Finneran and Thomas Concannon exited after a last 16 loss to Finnish opponents on a 3-2 scoreline who were eventual runners up. Martin Heneghan and Paddy Meaney exited at the QF stage losing out to eventual winners Oscar Lukasiak and Edmund Torbjonsson from Sweden.
The good form showed by the Irish lads in the Singles and Pairs continued in the 4-a-side Boys Team event. A blistering team effort on Friday evening seen 9-2 wins over Finland and Scotland which were hard fought before they stuffed Turkey 9-0 to reach the QF. A 9-5 win in Friday nights QF against a fast emerging Czech Rep. side proved very tough. Saturday's stage semi final started well for the Irish taking a 3-1 lead. Sewden replied to take a 5-4 lead. Mark Finneran took the 10th game to level but Sewden took the next 3 needing only one more to prevail. Ireland did take one more leg- but Sweden done enough to win out 9-6. Sweden came runner up to The Netherlands.
Day 1 on Thursday last was a decent one for the Irish girls pair. Kilkenny's Jessie Keogh and Galway's Aoife Ryan were knocked out at the QF stage of the girls pairs on Thursday evening. However that result was not to be repeated on Friday as they both suffered early defeats in the girls singles bringing their involvement to an end.
Well done to all involved.
Complete results at www.ecydarts.eu

Superb support for Europe Cup pair.
McDermott's of Ballinaheglish was packed last Saturday night as over 40 regular, non regular darts players and non players took part in a fundraising challenge to support Mark Finneran and Thomas Concannon who will be two of Ireland's Europe Cup 4-a-side team that travel to Holland in early July. This was the second of two nights of fundraising which seen outstanding support come from their community and further afield over the two nights. Mark Finneran's team won the much coveted Bully's Charity Cup. After the scores were tied at 19 each Mark hammered Thomas in a play-off on a convincing scoreline of 1-0. The following are thanked for their contributions- Peter Owens, Padraig White, Flanagan's Pub Castleplunkett, Andy Fallon, Michael Fallon, Padraig Feely, Pauline Kenny, Spell's of Ballaghaderreen, Marty Concannon, Brian McCormack, Dermot Fallon, Shirley Fallon, Joe and Deirdre Elliffee, Sean Fleming, Martin and Sinead (for Bully!),Luke Concannon and the Finneran family. Thanks also to- Michael Earley's of Bushfield and Sean and Teresa McDermott's in Ballinaheglish for the use of their venues. A massive thank you goes out to everybody who have supported Mark and Thomas in any way- it is very much appreciated.
The Europe Cup takes place in Eindhoven, Holland between the 9th and 12 of July. Mark and Thomas will be joined by Mayo's Martin Heneghan and Kilkenny's Paddy Meaney on the 4-a-side team. Ireland's first attempt in this tournament in Amsterdam in July 2005 was the best effort to date from an Irish side with Ballaghaderreen's Sean Fleming and Noel Tuohy on the team that finished 2nd to the host nation. For those who want to follow live scores at this years event can go to http://www.ecydarts.eu

Darts Fundraiser for Roscommon's Irish youths
The first of two fundraising nights of darts took place in Earley's of Bushfield on Saturday night last. 38 regular and non regular darts players took part on the night to support Mark and Thomas who will be two of Ireland's Europe Cup 4-a-side team that travel to Holland in early July.
Mark and Thomas captained both teams on Saturday night drawing their team mates from the hat. Thomas's team emerged victorious with a 12-7 win. Mark will have the chance to get his own back as the return game takes place in McDermott's of Ballinaheglish next Saturday night the 27th of June beginning at 9:30pm. Again all darts players and non players are welcome. Mark and Thomas will captain both teams on the night drawing their team mates from the hat. There will also be a raffle on the night. All support welcome and very much appreciated. For further information contact Luke on 0872664326.

Darts Fundraiser
Mark Finneran and Thomas Concannon will represent Roscommon and Ireland as two of Ireland's Europe Cup 4-a-side team in Holland in early July. McDermott's of Ballinaheglish and Earley's of Bushfield will be the venues for two fundraising nights of darts. First game is on in Earley's of Bushfield this Saturday night the 20th of June beginning at 9:30pm. All darts players welcome. Mark and Thomas will captain both teams on the night drawing their teammates from the hat. There will also be a raffle on the night. All support welcome and appreciated. For further information contact Luke on 0872664326. The return game is on the 27th of June in McDermott's.

Recent Charity Cup Darts results
On the local scene Andy Fallon was winner of the Jimmy Kilroe Cup in Cattigan's of Castlecoote recently, beating Luke Concannon in the Final. The event was held in support of AWARE. Tommy Kenny Cup winner David Concannon was winner of the Tony Mickelson Cup in Gannon's in Cregg's which supported Bothar.

Monthly Darts Fixture
Cattigan's of Castlecoote host a darts tournament on the first Friday of every month, with all proceeds going to Bothar. For further information contact Pat Carton on 0906663537. All support is appreciated.

Full 2009 Youth Friendsip Trophy Results
The full results are available at the England (Northern youth) website.
http://www.nydo.co.uk/YFT%20Results.htm

Cork Festival Of Darts
Mick Egan was the sole representative in Cork at the INDO Cork Festival of Darts over the weekend of June 6th & 7th. On Saturday evening, Egan teamed up with Donegal's John Flood in the pairs, and had a good run, before eventually losing out 6-2 in the final, to Limerick's Connie Finnan and Meath's Steven McDonnell. The game was much tighter than the score suggests, with missed doubles from Egan and Flood at crucial times not helping their cause. On Sunday, Egan was unfortunate to draw the in form Finnan in the singles, and went down 4-1. Finnan won out on the day, his third singles victory of the season in INDO ranking tournaments.

Ireland Players Championship
No participants from Roscommon in the final qualifying round, Round 6, held on the 16th of May. Connie Finnan of Limerick defeated Gary Tipping of Down 6-4 in the final. Three Roscommon players will be participating in the Grand Finals in Kilkenny in August. In the Mens, Mick Egan qualified in 14th place in the rankings. In the Youths, Mark Finneran qualified in 7th place, and Thomas Concannon in 15th.

Roscommon players excel at Friendship Tournament.
Ballaghaderreen's Sean Fleming made his final appearance as an Irish U-21 at the 4 Nation Youth Friendship Trophy Tournament in Dublin at the weekend. It was Sean's seventh successive year involved in this 15-a-side event which seen the best young players England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Rep.of Ireland go head to head for the three day fest. The Republic of Ireland team fielded a very strong team with players from ten counties. Roscommon were well represented on the panel with four more representatives. Ballinaheglish's David Concannon, Mark Finneran, Thomas and Gary Concannon. In the end the Republic of Ireland team fell just short of the mark losing out to the English side by a single point.
A massive effort was put in by the fast improving Irish side over the weekend. Superb individual performances got them within sight of beating the well established English side- who now make it their 7th win on the trot in this event. The Roscommon players on the Irish panel did not dissappoint in any way and were responsible for 1/3 of the Irish points tally. Mark Finneran and Thomas Concannon were in excellent form winning all their games. Finneran's average of 83.34 was highest of the Irish averages in the Republic's 11-4 win over Scotland. Thomas Concannon's 12-dart winning leg against his English counterpart helped him along to an average of 90.68 which was highest Irish average against England. Scores of 134,140,180, were followed by a 47 checkout to seal that 12-darter. David Concannon also contributed well in the win over Scotland. But a couple of missed doubles in his next two games cost him dear. Sean Fleming saved his only win for the English clash. Missed doubles also costing him further wins. The youngest of the Roscommon's players Gary Concannon who has age on his side for years to come did not play this time round.
Thomas Concannon and Mark Finneran will represent the Republic of Ireland again in Holland this July for the Europe Cup. Their team mates for that trip to Holland are Mayo's Martin Heneghan and Kilkenny's Paddy Meaney. Both Heneghan and Meaney were also in top form at the weekend.

Youth Friendship Trophy 2009.
Saturday 23rd May
Round 1
Rep of Ireland 11 Scotland 4
England 12 Northern Ireland 3

Round 2
Rep of Ireland 7 England 8
Northern Ireland 3 Scotland 12

Sunday 24th
Round 3
Rep of Ireland 10 Northern Ireland 5
England 10 Scotland 5

Final standings:
Northern Youth England 31 points, Rep of Ireland 30, Scotland 22, N.Ireland 8.

Sunday's 4 Nations World Masters Qualifier was won by Wexford's Jason Cullen.

The Connaughts
Creaton's run in The Connaught Darts Championships came to an end with a semi final defeat to Reid's of Newport last Monday night in Walsh's, Charlestown. The Loughlynn team were last years runners up. Creaton's took the opening game and led 2-1 at the break. But Reid's- winners from 2002-2007- started the singles well and ended up 5-3 winners. Reid's of Newport took the title with a 5-3 win over The Ship Inn from Sligo on Sunday evening.

RTE Aertel has discontinued it's Darts Fixtures service on Page 426 RTE Two.

Notice received from RTE:-

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Ireland Players Championship Round 5
A total of 170 players competed in Round Five of the 2009 Ireland Players' Championships at the Springhill Court Hotel in Kilkenny on Sunday, April 19th. Mick Egan was again the sole Roscommon representative in an entry of 102 senior men. After some good early form in his first two games, an indifferent display saw him lose out at the last 32 stage to a very good effort by Jimmy Murphy from Limerick. Murphy went on win out the competition on the day, beating Mick Barry from Dublin. Egan picked up 2 points for his efforts, and should be safely into the last 32 for the grand finals in Kilkenny in August. Paddy Meaney of Kilkenny defeated James Gearon from Tipperary in the youths competition. Unfortunately, Roscommon had no youth entrants on the day. Full results to follow.

O' Neill wins Kelly Cup
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.

Martin Kelly Cup Roll Of Honour

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)

Hollywood to host Martin Kelly Cup
The 4th Annual Martin Kelly Memorial Cup Darts Tournament takes place on Sunday April 5th, in the Hollywood Bar, Roscommon Town, starting at 2pm. Prizefund is Money in-money out + €200 sponsored by the Hollywood Bar. Trophies for Winner,Runner-up, losing Semi finalists, best lady, and highest checkout. Closing date for entries 1pm on Sunday the 5th. Entry fee €15. Raffle on the day in aid of Cancer Research. Enquiries to Stephen on 0877426804 or Barbara on 0876362359. Last years winner was Knockcroghery player Mick Egan who beat Cavan's Aodhagen O' Neill in the final. Both are expected to take part next Sunday, along with the first champion, Loughglynn's Sean Finan, and a host of other top local, regional and National players. All are welcome. Details also available on RTE 2 Aertel page 426.