Westmeath bow out to Donegal who reclaim title
Westmeath suffered a 7-4 defeat against Donegal in the last 16 of the All-Ireland Darts Championship in Killarney at the weekend.
After a great start against the defending champions and eventual winners, Westmeath were 3-1 ahead, but at that stage, Donegal called for a stoppage as the air conditioning was affecting the darts. In a dramatic twist, akin to the infamous PDC World Darts semi-final between Adrian Lewis and James Wade at the Ally Pally in 2012, Donegal came back after the recess to win 7-4.
It was disappointing from a Westmeath perspective, but they can take great encouragement from their performances on the biggest stage.
Donegal went on to win the title for the 15th time, defeating Offaly in the final.
A busy weekend began on Friday as inter county sides made their way to the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney. After the draw pitted Westmeath against Sligo, Waterford, Dublin and Louth in the group stages, the Lake County lost their first game against Louth (8-5). They had great chances in that match, but it was the Wee County side which finished best.
Westmeath then overcame Waterford, 8-5, to get back into the reckoning. They played well in that match and the margin could have been bigger. Defeats against Dublin (8-5) and Sligo (8-5) followed, but Westmeath qualified for the last 16 as the best fourth-placed side.
In terms of performances, Westmeath played really well in a seriously competitive arena. Mark Corrigan won all his four games, which is an impressive stat. Jason Waters won three of his four games and produced some great darts, including checkouts of 120 and 131. Johnny Broughton was another player to make a good impression at the event, but in general, the Westmeath players acquitted themselves very well.
Westmeath panel (WDL players in brackets): Jason Waters, Jimmy Hickey, Mark Corrigan (Beech Tree), Johnny Broughton (Beech Tree), Chris Connor (Beech Tree), Peter Donlon, Ray Enright, Damien Kelly (Western Gem), Aaron Devine, Harmon Hannon, Alan McManus (Maypole), Jimmy McCormack (Maypole), Willie Moran (Beech Tree), Ben Corcoran, David McDonagh, Cormac Foley and Paul Radford.
Bagnall’s ‘B’ reach Shield semi-final
Rochfortbridge side Bagnall’s ‘B’ are through to the semi-final of the Westmeath Darts League. They recorded a 5-3 win over Mullingar Shamrocks at the weekend and will take on The Wagon Wheel, Ballynacargy in the last four.
It was the only game in the Westmeath Darts League as the two teams had no players involved with the county side in Killarney. One of the highlights was a 180 maximum from the youthful Jack Murphy in the opening doubles game and Bagnall’s ‘B’ came out of the doubles 3-0 ahead.
Dillon Matthews and James Joyce pulled two games back for Mullingar Shamrocks, but Michael Greaves ensured victory on the night for Bagnall’s ‘B’, who move on to the March 13 semi-final, away to the Wagon Wheel.
Elsewhere, the other shield eliminator game involving McHugh's, Raharney, and Tom's Bar, Killucan, takes place on Friday, with the winners to play Clarke's Bar on March 13.
Singles
The Westmeath singles competition is on Sunday next, March 8, in Mullingar Shamrocks, with 2.10pm the cut-off time for entry and entry fee is €10. There will be championship and shield singles on the day.