Shamrocks reclaim darts league title
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The Maypole team: Ray Enright, Derek Burke, Gerry Deveraux, Barry Kiernan, Stephen O’Farrell, Paul Radford, Derek Delaney and Michael McArdle.Image 2 of 4
Brandon Gilsenan from the Mullingar Shamrocks team.Image 3 of 4
Derek Burke from The Maypole.Image 4 of 4
Loughlin McHugh making the presentation to Ger McLoughlin.Mullingar Shamrocks darts team reclaimed the Westmeath Darts League title with an impressive victory over The Maypole Bar, Collinstown, in last Friday's final at The Granite Bar, Raharney.
The champions of 2023 claimed two of the three doubles and then wrapped up victory in impressive fashion, taking the singles matches they needed for a decisive victory. Having tasted defeat in last year's final, the Mullingar side will be thrilled with how this year's league panned out and they carried their fine form into the final to emerge with the trophy.
A good start in this final was always going to be crucial and it was the Mullingar men who seized the initiative. Overall, they finished games more impressively and that was the story of the final - both sides were evenly matched in a lot of games, but Mullingar Shamrocks got crucial doubles to build up a decisive lead and The Maypole couldn't get a foothold in the final.
Aidan Reilly was the star of the show for the victors and took the MVP (Most Valuable Player) Award on the evening. His victory over Barry Kiernan in the first of the night’s singles set it up for the Mullingar side and Ger McLoughlin overcame Paul Radford (3-2) to ensure victory. There were great darts played and some quality scoring, including a 180 from Ger McLoughlin on the night.
Mullingar Shamrocks brought great support with them to the Raharney venue and there was reason to cheer as Ollie McNamee and Aidan Reilly took the first of the doubles to get them off the mark. They were ahead after the three doubles games thanks to the finishing of Mickey McKnight and Brandon Gilsenan and that gave them the platform for victory.
Aidan Reilly’s display ensured the champions of 2023 built on their advantage as he denied Barry Kiernan in the singles and that left the Collinstown men with considerable ground to make up. Sylvester Keane piled the pressure on as he denied Derek Burke in the next and Ger McLoughlin put the seal on a great victory as he held his composure to pip Paul Radford. Afterwards, Ger McLoughlin accepted the cup from Loughlin McHugh, League Committee chairman and Shamrocks were free to celebrate.
The newly crowned champions returned to Mullingar and the celebrations continued. They are extremely grateful to Colin Dolan and staff for the welcome they received in the popular Mojo’s venue.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Mickey McKnight, Wilo McLoughlin, Ger McLoughlin, Keith Mahon, Aidan Reilly, Brandon Gilsenan, Billy Conway, Kevin McKnight, Sylvester Keane, Ollie McNamee, Ross Kelly.
Maypole: Ray Enright, Derek Delaney, Paul Radford, Barry Kiernan, Daniel Beegan, Gerry Deveraux, Stephen O’Farrell, Derek Burke.