UNITED STRIDERS A.C. NEWBAWN DARTS

It was the perfect week for the Striders, with the juveniles, the men and the ladies, all winning team titles in their respective events.

Starting on Friday evening, the U.S.A.C. juveniles retained the Wexford winter league at Enniscorthy. Well done to all the young Striders who participated and brought home the bacon.

Enniscorthy A.C. won the girls’ award, while the Striders won the boys’ award and the overall league, for best club.

Striders legend T.J. Murphy also received a star award for winning all three of his events. Last week’s winning squad featured Katelin Corish, T.J. Murphy, Isabella O’Connor, Liam O’Brien, Sam Dowling, Fionn Mac Eochaidh, Darragh Mackey, Maitiú Wall, Adam Burke, Ailbhe Mackey, Cormac Delaney, Gearóid Byrne, Dylan Galvin, Roan Kavanagh, Donagh Grennan, Finn O’Reilly, Maeve Burke, Heather Costello, Eanna Grennan, Olan Delaney, Eoin Hannan, Sam Myers, Ronan Shannon, Seán Lennon, Luca O’Connor, Tomasso Hickey, Hazel Hickey, Isabel Bawden, Caolan Costello, Cosmo Hewlett, Myles Hewlett, Eoin Shannon, Ben Myers, Michael Collins, Louise Doyle, Clodagh Foran, Erinn Shannon and Adam O’Connor.

Thanks also to all the other under-age Striders who participated in the previous two rounds and helped us win the league for the sixth year in a row - quite an achievement.

On Sunday the Striders women and Striders men both won team gold in the Wexford Intermediate cross-country event at Ferns.

There were individual medals also, silver for Beth O’Connor, silver for Brendan Lyng, and bronze for Paul Doran.

Although there was a small turn-out in the women’s race, that didn’t mean the level of competition was any easier. There was a strong performance from all, led to an excellent gold team winning effort, with Beth O’Connor second, Sonya Byrne fourth, and Anastasia Cash and Aine Cullen making up the team.

Brendan Lyng was in an early breakaway and recorded an excellent second place finish. A large pack of ten or so athletes battled for bronze, with Paul Doran eventually breaking away and taking third, ahead of George Delaney who was hot on his heels in fourth place.

We had our first night of practice in our new home - Tír Na nOg in Wellingtonbridge - on Wednesday, with 21 players in total.

Some old faces made a comeback, and we even had one player cycle to the venue.

Some newcomers had a look in as well. There was a lot of oohing and aahing over missed doubles, but we got there in the end with Paul Murphy getting the better of an in-form Alan Bennetf.

David McDonald won a cool €20 on spot the dart but unfortunately he was nowhere near the bullseye to get €50.

We all enjoyed the sandwiches provided by the venue, so hopefully we will see the same faces out on Wednesday night for another night’s practice, with the 16-week event starting on January 9.

We welcome newcomers and would really like to see more ladies joining us. The ladies’ event starts at 8 p.m., with the main event starting at 9.30 p.m. Names must be in for that by 9.15 p.m.