McKeogh's 156 checkout the highlight of final round

Westmeath Darts League

A brilliant 156 checkout by Colm McKeogh (McHugh’s, Raharney) was the highlight of the final round of the Westmeath Darts League, which produced some quality darts yet again. There were also two maximums on the night, along with another ton-plus finish from Aaron McHugh, in what was a terrific game.

So after 96 matches, 864 games and over 2,500 legs of darts there is finally clarity on where all teams rank at the end of the league phase. There were several permutations heading into the final weekend, but remarkably, the rankings from week 15 carried over with no change.

Kerrigan's, Mullingar, travelled over to the Beech Tree, Streamstown, in a top of the table clash where the home side needed to win 7-2 in order to take the #1 ranking. They had the perfect start going 3-0 up after the doubles before Ross Kelly/Sylvester Keane got Kerrigan's on the board taking out Mark Corrigan and Chris Connor. Recently crowned doubles champion Johnny Broughton put the Beech 4-2 up over Mickey McKnight and when Graeme Corcoran defeated Aidan Reilly to make it 5-2 thoughts of the result needed certainly would have been top of mind then. Brandon Gilsenan had other ideas though, getting the better of Ian Meares to give Kerrigan's the 3 points they needed for the #1 ranking before a 6-3 win for the home side was confirmed as Willie Moran secured victory against Ger McLoughlin.

Kerrigan's will now take on the winners of Bridge Bar/Bagnall's A in the semi-final, but go into the play-offs having lost their last four games. Always a dangerous side at home though, they will hope this tail off towards the end of the season is just a blip. For the Beech Tree, they will face either Maypole/Western Gem in their home semi-final and having gone through Phase 2 of the championship unbeaten, will be hot favourites to make their first ever championship final.

Maypole/Bridge Bar get what they needed

Maypole, Collinstown, travelled into Bridge Bar, Mullingar, only requiring two points to be sure of their #3 ranking, while the Bridge Bar needed a big win to defend their #4 ranking spot. The 'BB' flew out of the blocks, taking a 5-0 lead including a 180 for Matthew Willoughby. Maypole got the points they needed in game 6/7 as Derek Delaney got the better of Rory Matthews in five legs and Jimmy McCormack defeated Jim-Bob Baker. Sean Ward reeled back the years against Barry Kiernan with the help of a 180 before Gerry Devereaux continued his good second half of the season with a win over Jamie Nugent.

This result meant that both sides confirmed their home advantage in the eliminator with Maypole taking on Western Gem and Bridge Bar to be at home to Bagnall's on March 6. Both games this season have only been the odd game in nine between them so a tense tight match is predicted in two weeks time.

The final game of the championship saw Bagnall's A, Rochfortbridge, defeat Ballinalack's Western Gem 6-3 at home to return the score line received from their opponents in phase one. Darragh Mullen's 62 checkout (10, 12, Double 20) ensured Bagnall's would lead going into the singles. Chris Cole levelled on the night with a 3-1 win over Charlie Guinan (including a 180) before Ger Brennan's strong second half form continued with a 3-1 win over Johnny Daly - including a 104 finish (20, Treble 18, Double 15). That was as good as it got for the 'Gem' as Jayzer Moran got the better of Damien Kelly in five legs. Darragh Mullen and Riaghan Grimes made sure of the victory for the home side. Charlie O'Toole came from 1-0 and 2-1 down against Andy McCormack to get the last game as well and give Bagnall's a boost going into the play-offs.

Shield - Wagon Wheel deny Shamrocks

The Wagon Wheel, Ballynacargy, were already confirmed as top seeds in the shield standings, but showed they will be the side to beat with a 7-2 win over Mullingar Shamrocks at home in a game that was a lot closer than the result looks. There was a high standard in the shield games on the night, with power scoring and fine finishing on display.

The 'WW' led 3-0 after the doubles before Jack Doran and Wayne Kelly made sure of the win for the home side. Dean Penrose got the away side on the board with a win over Shane Doran before Derek Maguire took out Dillon Matthews in a last leg decider. The last two games were shared as Chris Matthews beat Gerry Keon and Thomas Murtagh continued his anchor role at #9 defeating Mark Eivers. All six singles games went 3-2 on the night, which shows just how tight the final result was.

These sides could meet again in the play-offs as Wagon Wheel will take on the winners of the Shamrocks/Bagnall's B eliminator match, which would be their fourth meeting this year including the Paddy Gilgan Memorial Cup quarter final.

Meanwhile, McHugh's, Raharney, needed to pile on the points to give themselves a chance for the #2 ranking against Tom's Bar, Killucan and came away with a 7-2 win. In a match of real quality, Niall Kane and Enda Flanagan both hit 180s on the night; Colm McKeogh checked out 156 (treble 20 x2, double 18) and Aaron McHugh checked out 105 (treble 20, single 5, double 20) to do as much as they could on the night.

Put simply, if McHugh's reproduce that level of performance in the knockout stages, it's difficult to see them being stopped in this competition.

Elsewhere, Bagnall's B came out of the traps quickly in Mullingar, taking a 3-0 lead at Clarke's Bar after the doubles. Michael Greaves made it 4-0 with a 3-2 win over Damien Maher in a good opening singles clash. At this stage, Clarke's were danger of losing the precious 'home' semi-final and were facing difficult 'away' games to recover.

The match had another twist, however. Killian Kelly showed his class to get Clarke's on the board with a win over Stuart Hayes, while Davey Gilgan doubled with a win over Jack Murphy. Terry Kelly brought it back again to 4-3 with his win over Craig Hayes. The captains collided in game 8 where Allen Gilgan produced superb darts to get the better of Aidan McNair - a 180 shot and a 71 checkout giving Clarke's serious momentum.

It meant that Clarke's/McHugh's were level on points going into the last game of the night, but Jason Masterson ensured a countback wouldn't be needed as he got the win over Jason Bradley, courtesy of a couple of 140 shots, to confirm Clarke's as the #2 side in the shield.

Clarke's will take on the winner of McHugh's/Tom's Bar in their semi-final on March 13 and having a 4-0 record of both sides in the league phase, will be confident of making their second shield final in four years, but no doubt whoever they face on the night will be tight and tense.

Final WDL Championship Standings - Sponsored by Stephen Lynn & Co Accountants/Auditors

Kerrigan's 99, Beech Tree 98, Maypole 80, Bridge Bar 76, Bagnall's A 75, Western Gem 71

Final WDL Shield Standings - Sponsored by McNamee Tyres

Wagon Wheel 83, Clarke's Bar 69, McHugh's 68, Shamrocks 58, Bagnall's B 56, Tom's Bar 30

League sponsors

Continued thanks is given to Stephen Lynn & Co Accountants/Auditors, McNamee Tyres, J.A. Shaw & Co. LLP Solicitors and Geerah's Daybreak Ballinalack for their sponsorship and support for this year's Westmeath Darts League also.