Kerrigan's take Mullingar derby following singles blitz

Westmeath Darts League

Week nine of this year WDL saw Mullingar side, Kerrigan's confirm their place as the first side to qualify for the Championship section, which begins in January with Phase 2 of the league.

Going into Friday's night's Mullingar derby against the Bridge Bar (#1 vs #3), it looked a close match, but Kerrigan's strength in their singles throwers shone through in what was a comprehensive 7-2 win.

Bridge Bar started the stronger and led 2-1 after the doubles portion of the game. Aidan Reilly, Ross Kelly and Mickey McKnight made it 4-2 to Kerrigan's where Sean Ward will rue not seeing it out against Brandon Gilsenan to bring the 'BB' back into the game. Ger McLoughlin and Michael Raleigh (playing against his old side) secured the final two games for Kerrigan's and put the 'Q' mark beside their name as they can now look forward to Phase 2.

In the other match between two sides in the top four, Beech Tree, Streamstown, came out 6-3 winners in Rochfortbridge against Bagnall's A to all but qualify them for Phase 2 as well. Bagnall's led 1-0 only for the Beech Tree to take the next four games to lead 4-1, Mark Corrigan/Johnny Broughton once again keeping up their good starts to the season.

Jayzer Moran made it 4-2 only for Chris Connor/Graeme Corcoran to take two of the last three singles matches to keep them in second place.

Bagnall's A still retain an eight-point cushion from seventh-placed Western Gem, but with both sides to face one another in a key week-10 fixture, the gap could yet be narrowed.

Elsewhere, the Maypole Inn, Collinstown, were the side to benefit most from the two above results as they secured a comprehensive 8-1 home victory over Clarke's Bar, Mullingar, to place themselves in third position. They will surely have one eye on the top two should either team slip up in the coming weeks.

The Collinstown men led 3-0 after the doubles and that set the tone. Andy Price/Jimmy McCormack made sure of the win. Alan McManus overcame a gritty effort by Tom Crowe, 3-2, before Damien Maher put the Mullingar side on the board with a 3-2 win over Gerry Devereux. Derek Delaney hit a 146 checkout in his win over Allen Gilgan before Cathal Óg Fagan overcame Tommy Greville. There was also a 180 in the match from the home side and Maypole Inn appear to be right up there with the leading contenders for this year's title.

Elsewhere, sixth-placed Wagon Wheel (Ballynacargy) took on Bagnall's B in a home match and delivered their seventh win of the season with a 5-4 result. The key to this week was another strong opening in the doubles being 3-0 up before Jack Murphy got Bagnall's B on the board. Craig Hayes took the second singles before Derek Maguire put the 'WW' one way from the win.

Jason Bradley defeated Gerry Keon 3-1 before Joe Crotty sealed things with a 3-1 win over Michael Greaves. Matt Bradley took the final game of the night to keep Bagnall's well in touch in the Shield rankings. Incredibly for the Wagon Wheel, despite having four more wins than seventh-placed Western Gem, there are only two points between both sides in the race for sixth spot.

Western Gem helped to close that gap on Wagon Wheel with a strong 7-2 win in Killucan over Tom's Bar. Tom's went 1-0 up only for the Ballinalack side to take the next six games without reply, Damien Kelly, Andy McCormack and Bilal Moran all continuing their good seasons with wins.

Del McKeogh picked up another singles win as he showed why he's Tom's anchor, getting himself in the winners column before Jason Ford made it a super seven for the Gem on as they maintain their push to qualify.

The final game of Week 9 saw McHugh's defeat Mullingar Shamrocks, 6-3, at home.

The Raharney side went 4-1 up only for Shamrocks to rally and bring it back to 4-3 with wins for Chris/Dillon Matthews. Colm McKeogh made sure of the win with a 3-1 over Joe Farrelly before Loughlin McHugh added the last and ensured his side consolidated ninth place.

WDL Table after Week 9 - Sponsored by Stephen Lynn & Co Accountants/Auditors

Kerrigan’s 59, Beech Tree 55, Maypole 49, Bagnall's A/Bridge Bar 48, Wagon Wheel 42, Western Gem 40, Clarke's Bar 34, McHugh's 33, Shamrocks/Bagnall's B 28, Tom's Bar 18

WDL week 10 preview

Clarke's Bar vs Shamrocks - #8 plays #10 in a Mullingar Derby. Both sides are likely to finish in the Shield placings this year, but with only six points between them win for either side will be crucial as they aim to finish in the coveted Top 2 positions for home play-off advantage.

Prediction: Clarke's 5-4.

Kerrigan's vs Maypole - #1 plays #3 with Maypole looking to reel in their own top two spot in the Championship. The question is will Kerrigan's put the foot down or rotate knowing they are qualified for Phase 2. Maypole are capable either way.

Prediction: Kerrigan's 5-4.

Western Gem vs Bagnall's A - 8 points stand between #4 Bagnall's A and #7 Western Gem as they meet in Ballinalack. On paper this looks like 3-3 in the singles so these one off doubles matches will be the key to victory.

Prediction: Bagnall's A 5-4.

Bridge Bar vs Wagon Wheel - #5 plays #6 in Mullingar with a lot still on the line for both sides, the 'WW' will want to drag the 'BB' into a dog fight for their Top 6 places. The return of Matthew Willoughby should be the difference this Friday night.

Prediction: Bridge Bar 5-4.

Bagnall's B vs Beech Tree - Hard to see anything but a win for the #2 ranked side, Bagnall's B did hold Kerrigan's to a 6-3 win earlier in the season and will look to do something similar in this game. Prediction: 7-2 Beech Tree.

McHugh's vs Tom's Bar - A five-minute drive is all that separates these sides in terms of distance but likely will be further out of reach on the dartboard for the away side. Prediction: 6-3 McHugh's.

League sponsors

Stephen Lynn & Co Accountants/Auditors, McNamee Tyres and Geerah's Daybreak Ballinalack are thanked for their sponsorship and support of this year's Westmeath league.