Westmeath Darts League season preview
As another autumn/winter sets in so does the beginning of a new Westmeath Darts League season. In an era now of nostalgia there’s a certain “Back to the Future” look about this year’s league as former County Manager and League Secretary Keith Kilduff returns to the committee alongside Loughlin McHugh to oversee proceedings.
This years league comprises of 12 teams, whereby the format is as follows;
Phase 1 - everyone plays each other once either home or away at the end point after 11 fixtures the league will split into a Championship/Shield section of 6 Teams each.
Phase 2 - within each section everyone will play another round of fixtures to decide final positions before Play Off season
Play Offs - teams ranked 1/2 will go straight to a home semi final while 3v6, 4v5 plays off for the right to make the semi final. Finals will be at neutral venues as always
Here we give a brief outline on the runners and riders of this year and where they may rank come the end of the season Kerrigans - Last year’s champions Shamrocks have a new home as they return to Kerrigans. With Kevin McKnight as a shrewd selector and players like Ger McLoughlin/Sylvester Keane racking up points they are surely the ones to take down again this season
Prediction: Championship Finalists
Maypole - Last year’s runner up return to go one step further while having one eye on retaining the Knockout Cup aswell. Barry Kiernan fresh of a Westmeath County Trial final and former County #1 Derek Delaney will be the backbone of this sides success
Prediction: Championship Semi Finalists
Shamrocks - While the championship winning side has left, Sean and Joe Farrelly will steer a relatively inexperienced but exciting side through this season. James Joyce is the name that stands out on paper having beaten current Westmeath #1 Jimmy Hickey in a recent County Trial.
Prediction: Shield Semi Finalists
Bagnalls A - Dave Hamilton at the wheel for the A side in Rochfortbridge will surely be entertaining if nothing else! A team clearly showing a lot of improvement over the last number of years and the addition of Jason Matthews might just be the spark needed to reach hallowed turf of a Final
Prediction: Championship Finalists
Wagon Wheel - Always a dangerous side Gerry Keon puts together on a yearly basis with another youth refresh to it again with those players getting experiences. Derek Maguire as always the standout name on paper and on his shoulders a lot of what the WW achieves will lie.
Prediction: Championship Quarter Finalists / Knockout Cup Finalists
Bridge Bar - Matt Cullen’s side come into this season as reigning Shield Champions, a title they have held on multiple occasions down through the league. Historically a slow start, if they can get form from the off, a Top 6 place well within grasp. Matthew Willoughby will be the backbone of this side no doubt again this season
Prediction: Championship Quarter Finalists
Beech Tree - Beaten Shield Finalists from streamstown come back into this season looking to build on their first year in the league. Former league winner Graeme Corcoran and Tom Moran will pick smartly and guide their side throughout the season
Prediction: Championship Semi Finalists / Knockout Cup Finalists
Clarkes - Forever the bridesmaid, never the bride as the quest for a Championship Title starts again for Clarkes. A team with huge pedigree in the Knockout Cup (4 Victories) but possibly lacking the depth of recent seasons to crack the Top 6. Killian Kelly’s form will be key throughout the season
Prediction: Shield Finalists
Bagnalls B - Aidan McNair’s B side from Rochfortbridge look to build on a solid first season by building on the in house quality through both sides. Stuart Hayes, All Ireland B’s Shield winner with Westmeath last season should look to take that experience on to this season
Prediction: Shield Semi Finalists
McHughs - With the wily Loughlin McHugh at the forefront of picking a side every week you’ve always a got a chance. After a few up/down seasons Pete Doyle/Aaron McHugh should provide enough stability to send their side to a Shield semi final at a minimum.
Prediction: Shield Quarter Finalists
Western Gem - This side on paper is more than capable of winning a Shield, however week to week inconsistent performances last season got in their way. Damien Kelly as part of that B Shield All Ireland winning side will look to take the next step in his career and drive this side on. It’s just a matter of which Western Gem turns up!
Prediction: Shield Finalists
Tom’s Bar - The 12th and final side in this year’s league are a new side from Killucan but has a familiar feel to it. Johnny Penrose / Mark Sheils have previous league experience but it depends on the rest of the squad as to how they settle will dictate their season ahead
Prediction: Shield Quarter Finalists
This season kicks off on Friday October 3rd with the following games. Updates on fixtures/results will be shared on the Westmeath Darts League Facebook page
WDL Round 1 Fixtures
Bagnalls A vs Maypole
Beech Tree vs Shamrocks
Bridge Bar vs Bagnalls B
Western Gem vs Wagon Wheel
McHughs vs Kerrigans
Clarkes vs Tom’s Bar