It’s final agony for defending champ
THERE was a fantastic turnout for this year’s Duleek & District League singles last week, with no fewer than 106 entries for the tournament in Drogheda’s d Hotel.
There was a great response from all clubs in the league, which is in its 49th season, and the sheer numbers involved was a great tribute to both the league itself and its founder member and league chairman Kevin Campbell, who the current trophy is named after.
Even with 10 boards in operation, it still took some time to whittle the contenders down to the quarter-final stage, with Keith Rooney (Toll Stone), Killian McCormack and Will Lawlor (both Ring Commons), Dylan Powell and Stephen Coyne (both Judge/Jury) and Jack Hoey, Mark Rowan and Robert Smith (all Mariner) still in contention at that stage.
The quarter-finals were the best of seven legs and there were some great games and a very high standard of throwing, keeping everybody interested and entertained. Rooney advanced to the semis with a hard-fought win over McCormack, Powell got the better of Hoey, the defending champion Rowan brought Coyne’s run to an end and Smith eventually got the better of Lawlor.
The semis were over the best of nine legs, and Rowan ran out a convincing winner against Smith.
However, the other semi-final between Powell and Rooney was a thriller, producing some fantastic darts, super scoring and set-ups, and some superb finishing from both players. Most impressive of all was the way Powell pulled out a superb 158 finish to rescue a leg and game that looked lost at one stage, and he ended up prevailing 5-4 at the end of an absolutely brilliant match.
LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
The singles’ final, the best of 11 legs, proved to be another excellent spectacle as both players went at it from the start. This was television darts standard, with more brilliant scoring and check-outs.
There were several 180s and they were still tied at 3-3 after six legs, before Powell pulled away.
Afterwards, all the usual presentations took place, with the overall winner Powell receiving a cash prize, perpetual trophy and crystal decanter set, while runner-up Rowan tool home a cash prize and a set of crystal glasses.
There was prize-money even for those players who only got to the last 16 stage, and the total prize fund added up to €1,100.
In the Plate Competition it was
Division 1
Mariner’s Clive Fitzpatrick who prevailed, beating Bryan Smith (Punt Bar) in the final, while Martin Joyce defeated JJ McCarthy to win the Youths competition.
Powell also picked up the highest checkout award for his crucial 158 in the semi-finals.
The Duleek & District League would like to say a big thanks to all the board sponsors, everyone who provided spot prizes for the charity raffle, and also the d Hotel for all their help in hosting the event.
The same venue will stage the league doubles’ competition on Sunday, March 24. Anyone wishing to sponsor a board and or provide spot prize for the charity raffle at the doubles should contact any committee member.