Doubles success for Shamrocks duo after fine display
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Loughlin McHugh in action at the Westmeath Darts doubles competition on Sunday.Image 2 of 6
Sean Gaffney from Delvin and Marcus Kennedy from Collinstown.Image 3 of 6
Paddy Earley and Noel Brennan in Mullingar Shamrocks clubhouse on Sunday.Image 4 of 6
Sean Farrelly, Jason Matthews and Billy Conway from Mullingar Shamrocks.Image 5 of 6
Daniel Beegan and Stephen O’Farrell from The Maypole, Collinstown, runners-up in the doubles final.Image 6 of 6
Mickey McKnight and Brandon Gilsenan, winners of the Westmeath League doubles title on Sunday.The darts season is in full swing across the county and the Westmeath Darts League held their doubles competition on Sunday in Mullingar Shamrocks Clubhouse.
The main event was won by the hosts as Mikey McKnight and Brandon Gilsenan powered to a 4-1 victory in the final against Steven O’Farrell and Daniel Beegan from The Maypole Inn, Collinstown. The Mullingar pair produced solid darts, nothing really spectacular, as they landed the title with an emphatic victory in the end.
There were some entertaining darts played throughout the afternoon as 16 pairs competed from teams such The Maypole Inn, Collinstown; McHugh’s, Raharney; The Wagon Wheel, Ballynacargy; Bagnall’s, Rochfortbridge; and The Western Gem, Ballinalack. The Mullingar venue proved an ideal setting and all games were 601, with the best of seven legs in each round.
In the Shield final, the Bagnall’s combination of Gerry Forde and Darragh Mullen edged out The Western Gem’s Alan O’Mara and Frank Tighe.
Committee member Loughlin McHugh said it was a very good competition and was pleased with the level of interest.
“Considering the weather was difficult for travelling, we had 16 pairs involved and that showed a great level of interest. The successful Mullingar Shamrocks pair of Mickey McKnight and Brandon Gilsenan were obvious favourites from the start but were made to work for it,” he said.
At a crucial stage in the final, The Maypole pairing had the chance to make it 3-2 but they missed double 16 and the Mullingar side punished the error.
Elsewhere, in the Westmeath Darts League, defending champions Moate (Grand Hotel) look set to take top spot - they are six points clear at this stage with a game in hand. However, there are four teams vying for the next three places and an intriguing battle lies in store over the coming weeks.
The Wagon Wheel, Mullingar Shamrocks, Bagnall’s and The Maypole Inn are all in contention for the semi-final. Mullingar Shamrocks (56 points) and The Wagon Wheel (56 points) are well placed to take two of those places and the other spot is very much in the balance.
The league resumes after the Christmas break next Friday. It is expected that the singles competition will be played in February.