Dundalk darts | R-ice ice baby
The latest from the Dundalk and District Darts League
Event Two of the Northend Bar Summer Series of Darts saw the Alan Quigley Perpetual Shield played for. Sadly, Alan passed away 12 years ago, not long after winning the First Division League with the Stags Green.
Alan had previously played with the Commercial & Bridge Inn, and whatever team Alan played for, they always won some sort of silverware. 50 throwers entered the competition and were eagerly awaiting the draw.
With a format of Double In - Double Out, it's a change to the normal format, but it's a challenging format for even the more experienced throwers.
Early wins were picked up by Craig Callan, Mark Kerley, Aidan Thompson, Aaron Lee and Jordan McInerney. Meanwhile, Darren "Pigeon" Kerley was rolling back the years with some big scores to get him through to the board semi-final.
Cara O'Shaughnessy, having won two matches to get to the board semi-final, would eventually be defeated by Mickey McMahon. Jack Riordan put up a strong showing in beating Vinny Rogers and Aidan Thompson before coming unstuck against Martin Carvill.
Youth Player, Lee Smyth, was progressing nicely, but he would be beaten by his uncle, Darren Ludlow, in the board semi-final. David Gonnelly picked up a pair of wins but would be beaten by Martin Carvill in the board final.
Brian "Barney" Keenan was playing in his first Event in the Northend and was claiming some big scalps on his way to the final, beating Barry Dillon, Mickey McMahon, and Martin Carvill.
Board winners on the night were Alan Rogan, Martin Carvill, Gerry Rice and Brian Keenan. The semi-finals went the way of Gerry Rice (beating Alan Rogan 3-1) and Brian Keenan (beating Martin Carvill 3-1).
The final kicked off with Gerry Rice racing into a 2-0 lead, but then Brian Keenan came storming back to lead 3-2.
With the format being Double to start the game, both players were under pressure in the sixth game, and Gerry dug deep to restore parity before Gerry clinched the deciding game to secure a 4-3 win.
This is Gerry's first individual title in the Summer Series of Darts, and the competition for titles is really starting to heat up now. Next up is the St. Oliver's Old Folks three-a-side on next Friday, 10th February.
This is a charity event, and all entry money goes to the Friends of St. Oliver's to help purchase much-needed supplies for the patients.
The Old Folks three-a-side was first played for in 1954 and was originally sponsored by the Cairnes Brewery, and those who have won it previously are like a who's who of darts stars over the years.