Kelly’s crusade: Clarke’s power to darts Shield glory
Killian Kelly shot superb finishes of 112 and 115 as Clarke’s Bar, Mullingar, powered to victory in the Westmeath Darts League Shield final at The Western Gem, Ballinalack, on Friday night.
The Wagon Wheel arrived as favourites on the back of their impressive showing against The Beach Tree in the Paddy Gilgan Memorial Cup final the previous week, but they failed to build on that promise. In truth, they weren’t allowed to – Clarke’s took the opening doubles game as Tom Crowe and Damien Maher pipped Joe Crotty and Jack Doran, and from the moment Crowe’s double five went in, Clarke’s found a rhythm that was never matched.
Killian Kelly and Davey Gilgan took the next against Wayne Kelly and Shane Doran, before Terry Kelly and Allen Gilgan pipped Derek and Tommy Maguire.
At 3-0, and with statistically the best two players in the Shield at their disposal, Clarke’s did not stand on ceremony. Killian Kelly prevailed against Jack Doran in a great game, the Shield singles champion almost hitting the signature 141 shot, his last dart just outside the double 12. Terry Kelly added the coup de grâce, denying Wayne Kelly in the final leg of a quality joust, double tops the winning one.
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Martin Keville, The Wagon Wheel, and Allen Gilgan, Clarke's Bar, with the Shield.Image 2 of 5
Keith Kilduff, secretary; Allen Gilgan, Clarke's Bar, and Loughlin McHugh, chairman of the Westmeath Darts League at Friday's presentation.Image 3 of 5
Davey and Allen Gilgan, Clarke's Bar.Image 4 of 5
The Wagon Wheel side which took on Clarke's Bar in the Shield final on Friday.Image 5 of 5
The successful Clarke's Bar team, Mullingar. Back (L-R): Terry Kelly, Tommy Greville, John Plunkett, Killian Kelly, Mel Kavanagh, Kieran Clarke. Front (L-R): Tom Crowe, Davey and Allen Gilgan, Damien Maher and Jason Masterson.Clarke’s crusade has been impressive. They were 5-2 down against The Wagon Wheel in Ballynacargy in the league and languishing in the bottom three. They took the final two games that night and added 17 points in their next two outings, moving them back into contention for a home semi-final, which they duly secured. The rest is history: they swept McHugh's aside in the last four and completed victory in the most impressive style imaginable in Friday's decider.
Allen Gilgan, winning captain, accepted the Shield from Keith Kilduff and the celebrations began. Allen paid tribute to the opposition on the night and thanked the hosts, and Keith Kilduff and Loughlin McHugh, secretary and chairman of the revamped Westmeath Darts League. He also took a moment to remember his late dad, Paddy Gilgan, who was a member of the Clarke’s team that won the Shield and Cup double in 2023.
“Maybe there was an angel looking down on us tonight. The lads played really well and we knew we had to after The Wagon Wheel’s performance in the Cup final last week. We’re delighted with the win,” he said.
Martin Keville, captain of The Wagon Wheel side, was magnanimous in defeat and paid tribute to Clarke’s before thanking his teammates for a great effort all year. “Thanks to Aidan Geerah and the hosts, to the organisers Keith and Loughlin, and to all the teams who took part in what has been a great league. We’ll go again next year,” he said.
There was little need to debate the Player of The Match award which fittingly went to Killian Kelly. Formalities complete, Clarke’s and The Wagon Wheel mingled for the après-match.
Clarke's Bar team: Killian Kelly, Davey Gilgan, Terry Kelly, Allen Gilgan, Tom Crowe, Damien Maher, Mel Kavanagh, John Plunkett, Jason Masterson, Tommy Greville.
The Wagon Wheel team: Derek Maguire, Jack Doran, Wayne Kelly, Shane Doran, Joe Crotty, Tommy Maguire, Gerry Keon, Padraig White, Tommy Murtagh, Martin Keville.
The Championship final takes place tonight (Saturday) in McHugh's Pub, Raharney, between The Beach Tree, Streamstown, and The Bridge Bar, Mullingar.