Horgan’s dartsmen make it a league and cup double

The Blackwater Valley Darts Cup Final took place last Friday night in Kilbrin Social Club between Horgan’s and Barry’s.

Horgan’s were only after winning the league and Barry’s finished runners up, so both teams were going into the final confident.

First game was between the two captains, Adrian Holmes got off to a flyer and took the first leg for Horgan’s. Mikey O’Connor responded great in the second leg by giving Adrian the brush to make it 1-1. In the third leg Adrian threw serious darts, with 237 left he fired in a 180 followed by 57 in two darts to make it 2-1 to Horgan’s.

The fourth leg was nip and tuck between both players but it was Adrian who hit the winning double to make it 1-0 overall for Horgan’s.

The second game was between Nick Buttimer and Alan Mullane. Nick’s first three darts were 156 off, Alan struggled to get off on his first visit, Nick hit a few handy scores to take it 1-0.

In the second leg both players got off on their first visit but it was Nick who took it. Nick took the third leg to make it 3-0 and overall 2-0 to Horgan’s.

The third game was between Aaron Ryan and Owen Walsh. While both players were in fine form all season it was Owen who took it 3-1 to make it 2-1 to Horgan’s.

The fourth game was between Liam O’Toole and Sean Sweeney. In the first leg Sean got off early, Liam struggled to get off but when he did he fired in a few big scores but it was Sean who took the leg. Sean also took legs two and three to make it a level game overall.

The fifth game was between another two fine players in Rob Harrington and Jedd Kearns and both players were throwing very good darts but it was Jedd who eventually took it 3-1 to make Barry’s go 3-2 up on the night.

The sixth game was between Mick Dunlea and Tom Biggane. Tom took the first leg for Barry’s and Mick responded very well by taking legs two and three. Tom dug deep and refused to be beat and he took legs four and five to make it 3-2.

Barry’s were now 4-2 ahead after going 2-0 down at the outset. The atmosphere was really building now as the finishing line was near.

First up in the doubles game were Adrian Holmes and Rob Harrington versus Mikey O’Connor and Sean Sweeney. The first leg went the way to Horgan’s, Barry’s responded in great fashion by winning the next two legs.

Barry’s were only a leg away from lifting the cup but Adrian and Rob fought back like the champions they are. Adrian hit his second 180 of the cup final and his eighth for the season.

In the deciding leg the tension was unreal, Adrian and Rob threw a few big scores to win it 3-2 and make it Horgan’s 3-4 Barry’s.

The second doubles game was between Nick Buttimer and Aaron Ryan versus Owen Walsh and Jedd Kearns. Horgan’s took the first leg. The second leg was won by Jedd and Owen. Nick and Co. won the third leg.

In the fourth leg Horgan’s put pressure on Barry’s, both teams were on a double but it was Owen who took out the tops on his last dart with only a fraction of the double open.

The deciding leg was very nerve racking for both sets of supporters. Horgan’s needed it to take the match to sudden death and Barry’s needed it to take the cup.

It was amazing to see all four players throwing unbelievable darts, especially with what was at stake. Barry’s were on a double and Nick was sitting on 76 and it was Nick who took out the double 20 with his last dart.

So it came to sudden death and a last gasp shoot-out of one game in downtown Kilbrin and it was Nick Buttimer versus Jedd Kearns. Nick showed his class and experience playing in a tense situation winning 3-1.

Horgan’s now only needed one more game to lift the cup and it was the two captains in the oice battle. Adrian Holmes won the first and second legs but Mikey O’Connor was triumphant in the third leg. However, the season’s undefeated thrower Adrian Holmes hit the winner to make Horgan’s the League and Cup double winners.

Special thanks to Kilbrin Social Club for hosting the final, Paddy McMahon for running the final and end of season presentation, and to Brendan Matthews for marking the final.