Hickey the master in opening darts trial

The first trial for Westmeath County darts took place last Sunday July 6 in Bartley’s of Drumcree, with 25 players turning up to the oche.

It was great to see some new faces and some more established throwers returning for the trials. There were five groups with five players in each, and the top three emerged from each group, with one best fourth player, to make up the last 16.

After the last 16 round took place, it was down to the quarter-finals where some super games took place. In the first quarter-final Jimmy Hickey took on Damien Kelly and there was some unbelievable quality on show, with Hickey taking out 324 in six darts that included a 180 followed by a 144 finish, to win 3-1.

In the other quarter-finals, Alan McManus overcame Ben Corcoran with a fine performance and Peter Donlan beat newcomer Jimmy McCormack. In last quarter-final, Mark Corrigan saw off Gary Lynch in a close encounter with some excellent darts from both players.

Quarter-finals results

J Hickey beat D Kelly 3-1; A McManus beat B Corcoran 3-2; P Donlan beat J McCormack 3-1; M Corrigan beat G Lynch 3-2.

It was then on to the semi-finals where Jimmy Hickey defeated Alan McManus 3-1 with some brilliant darts again from Hickey. In the other semi-final game it was Mark Corrigan who beat Peter Donlan and there was some excellent darts and clinical finishing on display from both players in this match.

In the final, it was Jimmy Hickey against Mark Corrigan which promised to be a cracker as both players were firing on all cylinders all day and deserved to meet in the decider. It was Hickey that got off to a flying start taking the first leg with super darts and continued his form in the second leg to win it.

However, in the third leg it was Corrigan who should have won, but his clinical finishing all day seem to dessert him at the crucial time and Hickey stole the leg to make it 3-0. And from here on it was always going to be a uphill battle for Corrigan. In next leg again it was Hickey pounding the board with big scores before duly finishing off and running out a 4-0 winner on the day.

Westmeath County Darts would like to thank Bartley's Bar for their hospitality on the day and ensuring a great set-up was in place for the trials. Thanks to all that contributed to the 50/50 draw on the day and congratulations to Ger Forde who scooped the pot.

The next trial is in Bagnall’s, Rochfortbridge on July 25.