Dundalk's Northend Bar "Summer Series of Darts" gets underway

Week one of Dundalk's Northend Bar, Summer Series of Darts took place on Thursday past. With a Cup or Shield up for grabs in each event, it's all part of a bigger picture.

There are points on offer each week, and the top 15 on points after eight competitions, as well as the winner of an over 50's competition, qualify for Finals Night with the chance to win the Paddy Dixon Cup, which John Donnelly won last year.

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The Paul "Walla" Murtagh Cup this year had 42 entries, a great turnout for the first competition. Last year's winner, Alan Dullaghan, was out to retain his title, he started brilliantly with a 13 darter in the first round proper.

Alan would be knocked out in the board semifinal by Conor Dunn who had to go through the prelims to get into the first round proper, and after beating Alan, Conor would get the better of John Rafferty to qualify for the semi-final.

On the other boards, several games were played in the early rounds which could easily have merited being the final. Simon Wykes beat Marty Dixon (Marty had a 118 checkout in the previous round against Jack Riordan).

Also, Alan Rogan had a 2-1 win over Ray Harte in a cracking match. Martin Carvill was progressing nicely with wins over Darren Ludlow, Brian Mc Ardle, and Cian O'Rourke before beating Paddy Gibney in the board final.

Niall Hinchey was taking no prisoners with wins over David Gonnelly, and young Colin Taaffe before hitting double 16 against Simon Wykes with Simon waiting on a chance to hit a double.

Conor McArdle, who was a previous winner of the competition along with Ray Harte when it was originally run as a Doubles competition, was hoping to be one of the only multiple winners of the competition.

Conor, after seeing off the challenge of Robbie Murphy, then beat the Rogan brothers Alan and Eamonn in successive rounds before beating Stephen Shields in the board Final.

The semi-final saw two cracking draws with Conor Dunn playing Martin Carvill and Conor McArdle playing Niall Hinchey. Conor McArdle beat Niall Hinchey 3-0 and Conor Dunn had a 3-1 win over Martin Carvill.

The final was an all Big House Eagles clash with the two league teammates facing off.

Conor McArdle raced into a 3-0 lead despite Conor Dunn's best efforts, even though Conor Dunn won the next to great applause, Conor McArdle hit the winning double to secure the win and the trophy.

The presentations were made by Sheila Meehan of the Northend Bar and Darren Ludlow on behalf of the family of Paul "Walla" Murtagh.

Next up in the Northend Bar Summer Series off Darts is The Alan Quigley Shield on Thursday, 26th June, it was won last year by Eamon  Rogan.

The competition is €5 entry and is a money in - money out event. The format is double in - double out.

A big thanks to all our sponsors for helping make this event possible: Bellurgan Engineering, Fives Taxis, Northend Bar Ring A Drink, Mulligan Oils and Coal, Mullens Takeaway Roden Place, Sarkes Bar in Louth Village, Gonnelly Signs, Shang Garden Chinese Takeaway Louth Village, and Smashers at the square, Dundalk.