No change at the top as the race for sixth gets close

Westmeath Darts League news

After the drama and shocks of the last two weeks in the WDL, normal service resumed this week as all top four sides - Kerrigan's, Beech Tree, Bagnall's 'A' and Bridge Bar won. However, following a number of other results, the race for sixth place is getting tighter as we come into the last month of Phase 1.

Kerrigan's continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 7-2 win over Shamrocks. They were 2-1 up after the doubles, and wins for Mickey McKnight, Ross Kelly and Aidan Reilly made sure of the win. James Joyce, a player mentioned for many weeks for Shamrocks, got a win over Ger McLoughlin to round off the night.

Beech Tree remain behind Kerrigan's in second following a 7-2 victory over Maypole. They couldn't have had a better start to the night by getting into a 5-0 lead over the men from Collinstown. The final four singles games were shared, but at this stage of the season it's the marquee names on each side stepping up on a weekly basis, including Johnny Broughton, Chris Connor, Derek Delaney, who all won games.

Bagnall's 'A' and Bridge Bar remain in third and fourth as both sides recorded 6-3 victories over Tom's Bar and the Western Gem. Bagnall's 'A' were front runners all night going into a 6-1 lead, before Tom's picked up the last two games, while the 'BB' had to overcome a 2-1 deficit in the doubles to take 5/6 of the singles game to consolidate their position in the Top 4.

The Wagon Wheel edged out Clarke's Bar, 5-4, in a tight match between two sides aiming for that magic sixth spot for the Championship rankings. The key to victory on the night was coming out 2-1 after the doubles. Tommy Maguire hit a crucial double one with Terry Kelly waiting on double eight. Padraig White/Wayne Kelly then denied Allen Gilgan/Killian Kelly. This added to the six singles all going with throw was the factor in the 'WW' getting the win. Call outs for Killian Kelly beating Derek Maguire with some fine scoring, while Gerry Keon made sure of the spoils with a tight 3-2 win over Jason Masterson after a fine 90 checkout (treble 18, double 18). Padraig White was very consistent for the winners in a close match.

In the final game of Week 6, McHugh's welcomed Bagnall's 'B' to Raharney and saw them off 5-4 in another tight game. McHugh's went 3-1 and 5-2 up on the night, Colm McKeogh/Aaron McHugh making sure of the win. Craig Hayes and Jason Bradley won their games to ensure that Bagnall's 'B' returned home with four points with wins to round out the night.

WDL table: Kerrigan's 41, Beech Tree 37, Bagnall's 'A'/Bridge Bar 35, Maypole 28, Western Gem 25, Wagon Wheel 24, Clarke's 19, McHugh's/Shamrocks 18, Bagnall's B 17, Tom's Bar 14

WDL Week 7 Fixtures: Shamrocks vs Bridge Bar; Beech Tree vs Western Gem; Bagnall's 'B' vs Maypole; McHugh's vs Wagon Wheel; Clarke's vs Bagnall's 'A'; Kerrigan's vs Tom's Bar.

Paddy Gilgan Memorial Cup

The preliminary round of this year's Paddy Gilgan Memorial Knockout Cup has taken place and we will have a new name on this year's cup as the 2024 and 2025 winners Clarke’s and Maypole were knocked out at the first stage.

Kerrigan's get through with a 6-2 win over Clarke's on Sunday, while the Western Gem knocked out Maypole with a 6-4 win in Ballinalack. Beech Tree defeated Bagnall's 'A' 6-2 also in the final prelim game which set up the following Quarter Final line-up this Sunday November 16: Bagnall's 'B' vs Kerrigan's; McHugh's vs Beech Tree; Shamrocks vs Wagon Wheel; Western Gem vs Bridge Bar.

Geerah’s Daybreak in Ballinalack are sponsors of this year’s Paddy Gilgan Memorial Cup and the final is in the Western Gem on Friday, February 6. Further sponsors to be announced in due course.