League takes shape as Foley impresses for Westmeath

Damien Maher

Another Mullingar derby ensued for the second week running in the North Westmeath Darts League as Shamrocks hosted Clarke’s ‘B’ last Friday night at the Mullingar Shamrocks GAA Club House in Springfield.

Meanwhile, Westmeath's Cormac Foley produced some superb darts at the All-Ireland singles event in Trim last weekend, reaching the semi-finals in a competition that involved 327 players from around the country.

After an excellent league match in Mullingar on Friday, it was Shamrocks who prevailed, winning 4-2 after a good solid test on the oche from their Patrick Street neighbours. Keith Mahon, Brandon Gilsenan, Ross Kelly and Wilo McLoughlin took the spoils for the home side, while Terry Kelly won a thrilling joust against Mickey McKnight, with heavy scoring a dominant feature. Davey Gilgan was the other Clarke's winner, but it didn't stop Shamrocks and in truth they are a massive threat on current form.

League leaders Clarke's 'A' had a bye last Friday, but it looks very much like a two-horse race for the top position with three rounds of the league to play. Shamrocks have now closed the gap at the top of the table to just a point: they sit on 26 points, keeping the pressure on their darting rivals.

Elsewhere, the Wagon Wheel had a 5-1 win over McHugh’s (Raharney) when the sides met in Ballynacargy on Friday. Sometimes it’s about perspiration over inspiration and this was one such case: there wasn’t much to set the pulses racing, but the home side still got the job done, with John Penrose, Billy Murtagh, Joe Crotty, Derek Maguire and Gerry Keon all hitting winning finishes. Victory moves the Bal’ outfit on to 16 points and they are now in clear fourth position, but the Bridge Bar, Mullingar (11 points) have a couple of games in hand.

Elsewhere, Bagnall’s (Rochfortbridge) enjoyed a comfortable win (5-1) against The Western Gem, Ballinalack. It’s a result that moves them on to 11 points, but they need other results to go their way if they're to somehow squeeze through to the knock-out stages and it’s looking like a place in the shield is on the cards.

Meanwhile, Clarke’s ‘A’ didn’t have a game at the weekend, while Grennan’s (Milltownpass) versus the Bridge Bar was postponed.

Next Friday’s fixtures: Bridge Bar vs Clarke’s ‘A’; Shamrocks vs Grennan’s; Bagnall’s (bye); the Western Gem vs The Wagon Wheel; Clarke’s ‘B’ vs McHugh’s.

All-Ireland news

Westmeath were competing in the All-Ireland inter county darts competition in Trim last weekend in what was a very competitive arena. Westmeath lost, 7-6, to Clare in a tough game: they were 6-2 ahead, but unfortunately Clare were brilliant in the home stretch. Brian Farrelly was Westmeath's standout player with a 139 finish in the last game, under huge pressure. He hit treble 19, treble 14, double 20 in a superb shot. As a team, Westmeath had great performances all weekend, but it just wasn't to be. Dublin took the honours, overall, with Tipperary the shield winners.

Cormac Foley's terrific run was one of the weekend's highlights. He made it to the semi-finals of singles on Saturday night, producing some great darts in a what was a fine personal achievement.

Westmeath team and management: Mark Corrigan, Derek Delaney, Paul Radford, Cormac Foley, James Moore, Daniel Beegan, Stephan O'Farrell, Ben Corcoran, Graeme Corcoran, Ray Enright, Mark Dolan, Barry Kiernan, Paddy Powell, Brian Farrelly, Gary Lynch, Jason Matthews, Sean Waters, Derek Delaney (captain), Mark Corrigan (player/manager), Ray Enright (selector), Amii King (secretary).