Billy’s reception hits the bullseye!
ONE of Wexford’s all-time leading darts player, Billy O’Brien from Ballycogley, was afforded the honour of a civic reception for his contribution to the world of darts for 61 years.
Mayor of Wexford Cllr Frank Staples and local authority members held a night for Billy with his family and friends present, in the Irish National Heritage Park for representing his country a record number of times.
‘I have been playing darts for Wexford about 40 years now, I started playing when I was six years old and have won many tournaments and All Irelands. Most recently I won one two months ago in Clonmel,’ said Billy.
Billy’s passion for darts originated from when he was a young boy in his parents’ pub in Ballycogley. Many an hour was spent throwing darts in the family’s O’Brien’s Pub, which has long since closed.
From a very young age it was clear that Billy would be a master at the game. He won his first tournament at the age of seven, followed by coming first in an open tournament at the age of 13, which was held in the Halfway House, Ballycogley.
Billy won the All Ireland doubles in 1975 with Jack Murphy from Tacumshane, the same year he defeated Harry Heenan in Cardiff who was number two in the world and Scotland’s team captain at the time.
Billy said: ‘In 1976 I played against Eric Bristow, England’s captain at that time. Unfortunately I didn’t win that one. But I did win four All Irelands in a row in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. And I also was part of the Wexford darts team who won the All Ireland in 1988.’
Meanwhile, in 2001 Billy and Chris Johns from Wales beat the world’s best players at the Proam Doubles dart tournament, which was being held in Donegal.
Billy said the best surprise he ever received during his playing career was in 2009, when he got a certificate from the Guinness Book of Records for being the longest international dart player in Ireland.
Billy, a former chairman of the Irish National Darts Organisation, has many other interests including hurling, football and badminton.
‘I use to play hurling with the Wexford All Ireland team and in 1991 my daughter and I won the badminton Leinsters as well,’ said Billy.
The Ballycogley man, who also runs a thriving bus hire business, was astounded when he received his plaque from the Mayor and members from Wexford County Council.