Gilsenan gives Mullingar Shamrocks deserved darts success

In a memorable match, Mullingar Shamrocks captured the North Westmeath Darts League title with a fully deserved 4-2 victory over neighbours Clarke’s ‘A’, at Cullen’s Bridge House bar on Friday night.

This was a fitting finale to the league and a match that produced a terrific overall standard. Clarke’s ‘A’ came in as table toppers and had scarcely put a foot wrong all through the campaign, but on the night they encountered a seriously competitive, determined and focused Shamrocks side that refused to read the script.

Dylan Powell, the league singles champion, got things underway in the best possible form, hitting a 180 maximum with the first three darts of the night. It was a precursor to what would follow. Powell, pushed every step of the way by Keith Mahon, registered another couple of maximums to eventually win through in a last leg decider, double 12 ensuring him victory after a final game in which his scoring power gave him some time to play with. But not much.

It set the tone for an intriguing match: Clarke’s tried to race away and looked at times like they might put daylight between themselves and stubborn opponent, but there was always a response.

Clarke’s would take a 2-0 lead on the night courtesy of some fine scoring from Paddy Burke, whose three consecutive 140s in the third leg was superb. Even Shamrocks supporters showed a grimace at times as if to wonder how they could stay in the race, but on the oche there was never a doubt.

Ger McLoughlin got back to 2-2 and had three darts in hand at double 10: in error he shot for double tops, burst his score and gave Burke the chance to go out on double five. He duly accepted and those kind of bizarre circumstances would have been enough to unnerve an opponent of lesser substance.

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Shamrocks were not for flinching, though. Keith Powell looked at times likely to make it 3-0, but Mickey McKnight almost defied mathematics at times to win a crucial game and get Shamrocks up and running. McKnight’s scoring held up impressively and included a 180, the fourth of the final, before he edged it on double five. A seminal moment.

Suddenly the vibrant Shamrocks support found its voice and one could sense, almost, that the tide had turned. Ross Kelly continued to build on what McKnight had started, just about denying John Corr in the fourth game of the night to tie up the final (2-2). Momentum is a gas thing. Suddenly the pressure of the world was sitting on Clarke’s shoulders and the team which coasted through its semi-final without dropping a leg found itself facing an entirely different scenario, one which posed questions to which they could find no answers.

Matthew Willoughby endured that experience as he succumbed to Sylvester Keane’s surge, the Shamrocks man finishing 43 (11, double 16) to give his side the lead for the first time. Shamrocks, stoutly tested in a 7-6 win over Grennan’s in the last four, had already been to the well.

Ali Powell had a chance to force a shoot-out, but the rising tide gave Brandon Gilsenan every chance. That, plus his fine scoring and an 80 checkout to go 2-0 up. Powell responded with a fine 77 checkout and at that stage his greater experience seemed likely to kick in and force this match to a decider.

Not so. There was another twist. Gilsenan got through a ropey period to match some strong scoring from his opponent and find the treble 20 bed again. And when the opportunity came, he nailed it on double five. Then mayhem. Shamrocks celebrated in style and it was a delighted Kevin McKnight who accepted the cup from Loughlin McHugh, league chairman, at the end of a remarkable final.

The chairman paid tribute to both sides and acknowledged all the teams which made the league so successful on its return after the hiatus caused by covid. There were magnanimous words from Clive Kelly, manager of Clarke’s and reciprocal sentiments from Kevin McKnight. Yes, a competitive atmosphere prevailed, but it was always convivial.

Matt Cullen and his staff at the Bridge House Bar were acknowledged for being superb hosts and Jimmy Corroon and JP Reynolds carried out the marking and calling duties with minimum fuss, all of which made for a memorable occasion.

Clarke’s ‘B’ are cup champions

While the league finished on a bit of a downer for their first team, Clarke’s ‘B’ gave the Patrick Street venue plenty of reason to cheer when they took the cup title. Ironically, they had to deny Clarke’s ‘A’ in the final. Terry Kelly, Davey Gilgan, Allen Gilgan, Paddy Gilgan, Killian Kelly, Joe Kelly, Cyril Kelly, Mel Kavanagh, Tom Crowe and Johnny Plunkett deserved their victory.

Amazingly, after a season where they looked likely to reign supreme, Clarke’s ‘A’ must don the bridesmaid's tag. Certainties and sport remain distant partners.