Darts league set to resume
The Ally Pally darts have come and gone, 20 days of thrilling entertainment, but locally the Westmeath Darts League is set to return on Friday next, January 9, with some great matches down for decision.
Top of the bill is arguably the clash of The Beach Tree (Streamstown) and Maypole Bar (Collinstown) in the championship section and this is a match that could go either way. With quality players on both sides, some great scoring and finishing is sure to be part of a great evening’s darts at the Streamstown venue.
Elsewhere, Mullingar side Kerrigan’s will be fancied for a home win against Bagnall’s ‘A’, though it certainly won’t be straightforward. Form favours Kerrigan’s but the Rochfortbridge side will be ready to pounce if their opponents are not on top of their game.
With home advantage in the other game, The Western Gem can get off to a winning start against The Bridge Bar (Mullingar). The top sides will be expected to show greater scoring power and staying with the opponent is going to be key in the big singles games, one suspects.
Shield
The shield competition is catering for the bottom six teams after the first phase, but it is sure to be very competitive also. The three home teams on Friday - The Wagon Wheel (Ballynacargy), Bagnall’s ‘B’ (Rochfortbridge) and Mullingar Shamrocks will all be fancied to get most points on the board. However, Clarke’s Bar (Mullingar), McHugh’s (Raharney) and Tom’s Bar (Killucan) will all quietly fancy their chances and it will certainly be a case of whoever holds their nerve on the double gaining an early edge in this competition.
Friday’s fixtures - Championship
Beach Tree v Maypole; Kerrigan’s v Bagnall’s ‘A’; Western Gem v The Bridge Bar.
Shield
The Wagon Wheel v Clarke’s Bar; Bagnall’s ‘B’ v McHugh’s; Mullingar Shamrocks v Tom’s Bar.