fonaCAB Central Darts League

It was League action this week in the FonaCab darts league with the top four all playing each other and what games they produced.

Crumlin Star 5 vs 3 Hibs 58

Crumlin Star welcomed the 58 team up to their showrooms looking to consolidate their position as joint top of the league and a cracker of a game ensued. John Dillon 2 - 0 (26 & 30) with scores of 100, 100, 83, 83, 82, 81 won the first important game for the home side to set the tone for the evening beating Hib’s Joe Dinnen 100, 98, 85, 85, 81. Martin Corbett 2 - 0 (21 & 30) 140, 100, 97, 85, 81, 81 & 78 levelled it in taking out Freddie Stilges 140, 100. The third game was fantastic with Ben Lagan’s 2 - 1 (26 & 26) win including scores of 130, 100, 100, 100, 85, 85, 84, 60, 60 not telling the whole truth about the game as Peter McDonnell Jnr’s (30) heavy scoring of 140, 100, 100, 100, 100, 95, 60 had him getting darts at doubles in all the legs only to watch his opponent hit 162 in four darts to snatch victory from defeat in the final leg. Tucker Clarke 2 - 0 (24 & 28) 100, 100, 95, 92, 85, 85, 81, 70, 60, 60 levelled the game again at 2 vs 2 when he took the fourth game against Tommy Henry 123, 84, 83, 82, 81, 80. The next one was another cracker as Peter Fitzpatrick 2 - 1 (21 & 24) 140, 100, 85, 85, 85, 85, 83, 66, 60, 60 just got the better of Hib’s Mark Lynch (23) 135, 100, 99, 98, 97, 60, 60, 60, 60, 60, 60, with both men never missing a single or treble twenty with each visit to the board and only Peter’s dead-eye finishing being the difference. Things got even better for the home team when, in the sixth match, they saw a man of the match performance from their player Hugh Grieve 2 - 0 (16 & 27) 140, 125, 100, 100, 85, 81, 80, 77, 70, 60, 60 against Damien Corbett 140, 121, 121, 100, 85, 85, 60 to put the home team 4 vs 2 up. Tony Corr 2 - 0 (23 & 30) 133, 133, 85, 85, 81, 62, 60 put in a great performance against Jim Flannigan 117, 79, 79, 79, 79, 70 to keep his team in with a shout but not for long as Crumlin’s Dougie Bowes 2 - 1 (26 & 29) win in the last game and last leg 100, 100, 85, 85, 83, 83, 60, 60, 60, just kept his opponent Sean Patterson (22) 100, 95, 95, 82, 82, 82, 82, 81, 80, 68 at bay and ensured both points stayed in North Belfast on this occasion.

MOM Hugh Grieve

Clonard Hibs 5 vs 3 Casement

These two teams were joint top at the start of the evening and the level of darts thrown on the night shows you exactly why. Sometimes when you look at a match-card for the draw one team will be more happy than the other but not in this instance as both teams had their best players spread out throughout it and a great game ensued. Clonard’s John Doyle 2 - 1 (22 & 30) 140, 135, 105, 60, 60 took the first against old foe and Casement captain Gerry McCormick (26) 140, 100, 100, 100. Adam McDade 2 - 0 (16 & 27) 180, 100, 60, 60, 60 got the better of Venti Lenzi 125, 100, 100, 60 to make it 2 vs 0. Connor Hanna 2 - 0 140, 137, 134, 60, 60, 60 threw exceptional darts in the third game to beat Paddy McGuiness 100, 60, 60, 60 and keep the momentum going for the lower falls team. Clonard’s Hugh McShane 2 - 1 (18 & 22) 140, 140, 100, 100, 100 showed tremendous bottle in taking the 2nd & 3rd legs in his match after Casements Ricky Saddler (21 + 118 fin) 121, 118, 95, 95 had took the first one to leave the score 4 vs 0. Colm McGuinness’s 2 - 0 win in (19 & 25) with scores of 140, 120, 100, 60, 60, over Pearse Maguire 134 60, 60, 60 showed composure that belittles his age and got his team their first game of the night 4 vs 1. Dessie Magee 2 - 0 (19 & 25) 140, 100, 100, 100, 60, 60 ensured both points stayed down the road when he defeated Joe Doone 140, 85, 60, 60, in the 6th game to leave it standing at 5 vs 1. Casement fought on valiantly and Ciaran McKay 2 - 1 (24 & 27) 135, 85, 85, 60, 60, 60, 60 won the next against Seanpol Grant (27) 140, 137, 135 and veteran and always hard to beat Paul Condon 2 - 0 (22 & 24) 148, 100, 100, 85, 85, 60, 60, took the last game against an unlucky loser Dan Delaney 134, 100, 100, 100 to leave the final score 5 vs 3 to Clonard.

MOM Conor Hanna

Donegal Celtic 8 vs 0 Star Celtic

Star Celtic travelled over to the Suffolk home of Donegal Celtic hoping to pick up a few much needed points but returned home with their tails firmly between their legs after an 8 vs 0 annilation. Joe Corr 2 - 1 (24 & 30) 125, 100, 95, 93, 81, 81, 60, 60, 60 won the first against Henry McTasney jnr (33) 95, 88, 85, 79, 79, 72 Alan Hanna (30 & 31) did likewise in the next winning 2 - 1 with scores of 120, 95, 95, 95, 85, 81, 71 against Star’s Martin Maloney (31) 120, 95, 95, 85, 81, 77, 60. Junior McManus 2 - 0 95, 85, 85, 78, 70, 70, 60, 60 took game three against Eamon McGovern 95, 93, 71,66, 61, 60 leaving it 3 vs 0. Paddy McCorry showed glimpses of his class with a man of the match performance in the next winning 2 - 0 (23 & 30) 122, 100, 100, 85, 60, 60, 60, 60 over Rhys Haywood 140, 94, 87, 85, 83, 60 and then Matt Doone 2 - 0 125, 96, 92, 81, 81, 81, 66, 61 ensured both points stayed in the Suffolk area by winning the fifth game against Gary Healy 81, 81, 81, 79, 70. Caolan Kearney 2 - 1 96, 95, 85, 85, 78, 76, 70 took the sixth game beating Rab Lyttle 100, 100, 95, 87, 85, 64, 62, 60, 60 and next up his teammate Gary Smith 2 - 0 140, 100, 100, 83, 81, 81, 60, 60 made it 7 vs 0 when he took out Star’s Ian Haywood 85, 85, 84, 66. In the final game of the evening Paul Doonan had a 2 - 1 win (30 & 30) with scores of 125, 121, 100, 100, 87, 85 against Star Celtic’s Daniel Haywood (30) 100, 100, 60, 60, 60, 60 who had the best finish of the night with a 104 finish to finish on a personal high.

MOM Paddy McCorry

Casey’s 5 vs 3 The Swilly

The Swilly team travelled the short distance down the road to face Casey’s in an area derby of sorts. Stevie Lecky 2 - 1 (19 & 23) 125, 114, 100, 100, 100, 85, 80 60 got the home team off to a brilliant start with a man of the match performance against Michael Burns. The travelling side then hit a purple patch with 3-in-a-row 2 – 0 wins coming from Patrick McGeown (23 & 25) 100, 100, 100, 100, 100 over Dan Cahoon 100, 99, 85, 83, 60 Kevin O’Neill (27 & 30) 92, 92, 92, 90, 85, 84, 81 over Joe McLaughlin 100, 95, 85, 82, 81 & Eamon McVeigh (29) 140, 100, 95, 85 over Davy Clarke. Paul Smyth 2 - 1 (28 & 32) 125, 100, 95, 85, 85, 85, 81 stopped the rot for Casey’s beating Swilly’s Tom Kearney (32) 127, 124, 100 and that seemed to knock the stuffing out of the visitors as the lost the last 3 games of the night all by 2 – 0 scorelines when Connor Smyth (27 & 28) 121, 100, 85, 81, 81, 60 beat Tucker Kearney125, 100, 100, 85, 83 Matt Doyle (30 & 30 ) 106, 100, 100, 80, 80 beat Brendan McStravick 100, 95, 90, 85, 85 & Gerard Holmes (28 & 31) 125, 119, 100, 95, 85, 84 took the last against Mick Sullivan

MOM Stevie Lecky

BYE St. Mathews

 next week  its top half cup in Casement and bottom half cup in St.Matthews...best of luck to all

Sean P

“Casement & Clonard Hibs stay joint top with excellent wins whilst Crumlin Star get a free week with a Bye round.”

After the drama and excitement of last weeks 3-a-sides it was back to the more mundane, but vitally important round 6 of the league fixtures.

Casement 6 vs 2 Donegal Celtic

Casement consolidated their position as one of three teams currently joint top of the league with this great win over D/C. Gerry McCormick (19 & 25) 137, 100, 100, 85 started off the night exactly as a good captain should by taking the first leg over D/C’s Davy Smith 100, 100, 85, 81. Vinty Lenzi (23 & 28) 100, 100, 100, 82, 81 made it 2 vs 0 with a good 2-1 win over Seamus Armstrong 100, 81, 81. Paul Condon (18) 127, 125, 122, 121, 82, 81, 80 kept up his great early season form with a hard fought 2-1 win over Matt Doone (27) 140, 100, 100, 92, 81, 81 to make it 3-0. Ricky Saddler’s (24 & 26) 121, 95, 95, 95, 95, heavy scoring gave him a sound 2-0 victory over a very difficult opponent in D/C’s Alan Hanna 140, 133, 85, 85 and showed just why he’s so hard to beat at present. Paddy McGuinness (20 & 27) 2-1 140, 120, 100, 98, 85, 81, 81 then had a cracking tussle with Paddy McCrory 180, 140, 100, 100, 98 who showed just what the league has been missing and what’s still to come from him during this season to put Casement 5 vs 0 up. Colm McGuinness (26 & 30) 2-0 100, 100, 85, 85, 80, 60, 60 then ensured they took maximum points when he defeated D/C’s Harry Smith 100, 98, 60, 60, to make it 6 vs 0. D/C restored some pride when both Caolan Kearney (26) 2-1 122, 122, 120, 100, 100, 82 and Chinky Smith (24) 2-1 140, 100, 100, 85, 81 defeated Casements Kieran McGuiness 140, 100, 100, 83, 81 and Henry McCann 140, 140, 85, 85, to leave the final score 6 vs 2

MOM G McCormick

The Swilly 2 vs 6 Clonard Hibs

The lower falls outfit have been firing on all cylinders at the start of this season and they began well again when Adam McDade (22 & 23) 2-0 135, 100, 100, 97, 85, 85 and Connor Hanna (23 & 29) 2-1 134, 100, 100, 100, 96, 96, 93 took the first two games against Swilly’s Michael Burns 100, 85, 85, 60 and Eamon McVeigh (27) 100, 100, 100, 60. Patrick McGeown (21 + 129 fin) 2-0 140, 100, 85 was back to his best in the next game for Swilly defeating Hib’s John McCann. John Doyle 2-1 100, 100, 96, 92, 81, 80 took the next against Tom Kearney 128, 95, 93, 85, 83, 83 to restore their lead to 1 vs 3. The fifth game proved pivotal though with both Swilly’s Tucker Kearney and Hib’s Pearse Maguire pounding the trebles. Pearse took the first leg in 24 darts with scores of 125, 100, 85, 85 then Tucker hit back in the second to take it in 23 100, 100, 85, 85, 60. Tucker hit scores of 140, 101, & 85 in the decider but Pearse responded with 100, 100, 83, 83 and after both guys had digs at their doubles Pearse edged it to put his team 1 vs 4 up. Hugh McShane (25 & 30) 2-1 140, 125, 100, 100 put his team 1 vs 5 up in beating Brendan McStravick 112, 100, 100, 85, 80. The Swilly fought back however and Paul Goodman (23 & 29) 2-1 140, 125, 100, 100, 100, 99, 85, 82 took the next with a fine win over Dan Delaney (21) who hit cracking scores of 140, 137, 100, 100, 96, 87, 81 throughout his three legs to leave the score 2 vs 5. The last game then saw Clonard’s Desi Magee (24 & 29) 2-0 100, 100, 100, 85, 85, 85 finish it in style beating Kevin O’Neill 121, 100, 100, 85 to leave the final score 2 vs 6

MOM Adam McDade

Star Celtic 1 vs 7 St. Mathews

St. Mathews have had an indifferent start to the season and currently occupy a mid table league position which the rest of teams know is a falsehood. Everyone has been waiting for them to click and unfortunately for the Crumlin road outfit this was the night it did. Davy McCusker (18 & 18 + 113 fin) 2-0 180, 135, 100, 85, 81, 81 started the ball rolling beating Gary Healy 85, 80, 79, 60, 60. Jimmy Lavery (15 & 22) 2-1 180 140, 125, 100, 100, 78 decided he was going to get in on the act when he defeated Ian Haywood (30) 140, 100, 100, 67, 60, 60. Billy McDade (17 & 31) 2-0 125, 100, 100, 95, 85, 81 made it 0 vs 3 with a sound win over Star’s Danny Anderson 82, 81, 80, 73, 61, 60. Then Con Kielty (24 & 31) 2-0 100, 100, 95, 85, 81, 70 made it four games without reply when he beat Sylvester Zak 140, 85, 82, 60, 60. Paul Fitzpatrick (24) 2-1 120, 100, 97, 95, 85, 81, 61, 60, 60, 60 got Stars first win on the board defeating Mick McCartan 100, 95, 86, 85, 78, 64 but that was to be their only win of the night as St. Mats trio of Seamy Roberts (24 & 29) 2-1 133, 133, 133, 95, 93, Martin Irwin (22 & 25) 2-0 121, 100, 100, 83, 82, 80, 66 & Jap McKinley 100, 100, 100, 92, 85, 60 over Tony Kelly 121, 100, 96, 89, 85, 82, 72 Henry McTasney Snr 125, 100,85, 82, 69 & Rhys Haywood 160, 111, 85, 85 left the final score 1 vs 7.

MOM Davy McCusker

Hibs 58 7 vs 1 Casey’s

Casey’s travelled down the road to take on a Hibs 58 team that are still in there in terms of league honours with only a few points separating the top 5 teams. Sean Patterson (24) 2-0 140, 100, 96, 95, 93, 81, 81 took the first game against Gerard Holmes 100, 100, 100, 85. The second game was an absolute cracker. Tony Corr and Dan Cahoon hit each other with everything. In the first leg Dan (23) hit scores of 100, 100, 95, 80, 85 with his opponent hitting 140, 100, 70 only for Tony (25) to take the second leg with great scores of 140, 103, 81, 80 against Dan’s 100, 100, 100, 95. In the final leg Tony (20) hit scores of 180 125, 123 to leave 73 after 9 darts against Dan’s 100, 100, 85 to take it but just miss out on a very low darts game. Martin Corbett (25 & 26) 2-0 100, 100, 98, 85, 84 beat Matt Boyle 100, 100, 100, 81 to make it 3 vs 0. Damien Corbett 2-1 140, 115, 90, 85, 85, 81 kept it going in the next game beating Davy Clarke. Then Mark Lynch (19 & 30) 2-1 140, 140, 138, 118, 95, 85 had another cracking game against Casey’s Paul Smyth (18) who in the second leg hit scores of 180 140, 145 only to miss double 18 for an amazing 10 darter. This great game left the score 5 vs 0 and within a few minutes Tucker Clarke (26) 2-0 134, 100, 100, 95 had beaten Connor Smyth 85, 83, 81, 81 to make it six without reply. Stevie Leckey (25) 2-1 125, 100, 100, 85, 85, 81, 81 then got a first win of the night against Joe Dinnen (31) 100, 100, 97, 85, 85, 81, 81, 80 but the biggest cheer of the night was left for the last game of the evening when young Adam Lynch 2-1 140, 100, 93, 92, 85, 81 won his first league match and was nearly mobbed by his family and teammates in beating Colly McPeake 121, 100, 100, 85, 85 which was a very proud and emotional moment for his mum.

MOM Tony Corr

It’s more league action next week...best of luck to all involved

Sean P.

MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNING TEAM FROM CLONARD HIBS ,ADAM McDADE,CONOR HANNA AND DAN DELANEY WHO PROVED THEMSELVES TOO STRONG FOR THE OPPOSITION IN WINNING THE PATSY CORR 3 A-SIDES,AND COMMISERATIONS TO CASEMENT TEAM ,GERRY McCORMICK,RICKY SADDLER AND PAUL CONDON COMING IN AS RUNNERS UP AFTER A SPIRTED CHALLENGE FOR THE TITLE

“Patsy Corr Three-A-Sides Cup in Hibs Club”:

This week saw the preliminary round of the Patsy Corr cup take place in the Hibs showrooms. There were 28 teams there all vying to get through to the next round and next weeks semi’s & final.

Board One

Match One

Star Celtic “B” 0 vs 2 Crumlin Star “A”

Peter Fitzpatrick and Tony Kelly were drew against each other in the singles with Peter just edging it. This left Star Celtic’s Henry McTasney Jnr & Daniel Haywood with the difficult task of facing Crumlin’s Dougie Bowes & Seamy Martin to try and take it to the trebles game but they found this task to great as Crumlin win this and went through 0 vs 2. Unfortunately there were no high scores, finishes or 180’s written on half of the match-cards for me to make comment on. If completing cards please put all these on them so I can report the quality of the games.

Match Two

Clonard Hibs “B” 2 vs 0 Swilly “B”

This game had three of both clubs best throwers but once again no scores etc so I can do nothing more than report the result. Tommy Fitzpatrick won the singles for Clonard against Kevin O’Neill and John Doyle along with Pearse Maguire won the doubles beating father & son pairing Tom & Tucker Kearney.

Match Three

Donegal Celtic “A” 2 vs 0 Casey’s “B”

Sean Armstrong played the singles for D/C and he beat Olcan Kearney of Casey’s. The pairing of James McStravick & Chinky Smith then put them through by beating Casey pair of Gerard Holmes & Eugene Brannigan.

Board Two

Match One

Hibs 58 “C” 0 vs 2 Casement “D”

Paddy McGuiness beat Jap Craig in the first game of singles then watched as his doubles team of Kieran McGuiness & C McGuiness beat Hibs pairing of Paddy Dempsey & Jim Boardman to put them through till next week.

Match Two

Casement “B” 2 vs 1 Swilly “A”

In the second match on this board we had the first game of the night to go to the “Trebles game”. Paul Goodman got a great win against Gerry McCormick for the Swilly and Ricky Saddler & Paul Condon levelled with a doubles win over Patrick & Felix McGeown. The trebles was a close run affair but the Casement trio came out winners.

Match Three

Hibs 58 “D” 1 vs 2 St. Mathews “C”

I marked this one so I can testify to the nerves being shredded both by players and their supporters. Adam Lynch threw good darts in the singles leg to beat Gerard McGuiness. The doubles went first one way then the other and both teams had multiple attempts at doubles with Mick McCartan eventually popping double one with his doubles partner Chip Craig to level the game against Sean Patterson Jnr and Seanpol McKernan. The trebles game was exactly the same but St. Mats experience eventually told and they went through to next week.

Board Three

Match One

St. Mats “B” 2 vs 0 Swilly “D”

Seamus Roberts (25) 100, 100, 100 beat Dan Walker in the singles leg. In the doubles the talented and experienced team of Jap McKinley & Joe O’Kane then beat Swilly’s Conal Crawford and Mick Sullivan to put themselves through without too much trouble.

Match Two

Star Celtic “C” 0 vs 2 Donegal Celtic “C”

This was another game that didn’t need the trebles game as a decider. Joe Corr beat Martin Maloney and their pairs team of Alan Hanna & Caolan Kearney beat Henry McTasney Snr & Daniel Anderson for a 0 vs 2 win

Match Three

Casement “A”1 vs 2 Swilly “C”

In this singles game Paul Wisdom turned back the clock and took out Brendan McStravick even though he must give his younger opponent 40 years start. Eamo Mac & Mick Burns levelled the game taking the doubles against Martin Lawlor & John Quinn and the Suffolk team used their youth and fitness to outlast Casement in the trebles to win the last game.

Board Four

Match One

Hibs 58 “B” 2 vs 1 Casement “C”

The first game on board four went to the trebles. Damien Corbett beat Henry McCann in the singles. Micky Tierney & Venti Lenzi then levelled it taking the doubles against Tony Corr & Sean Patterson. The trebles was a very tense affair and with Henry McCann sitting on X16 Damien Corbett took out a brilliant 92 finish with his last dart to put the Hibs team through.

Match Two

St. Mats 2 vs 0 D/C “B”

This match pitched one of the favourites for the trophy in against a bit of an unknown quantity as D/C had an old favourite of the league back playing in Paddy McCrory. His first game back was in the singles and he was shown no mercy at all as Martin Irwin (24) 101 Fin took it. Their pairing of Davy McCusker 180 & Billy McDade then made it 2 vs 0 taking out Matt Doone & Paul Doone.

Match Three

Clonard Hibs “A” 2 vs 0 Clonard Hibs “C”

This game paired two teams from Clonard Hibs against one and other. The difference between the A and C teams was evident from the off as Adam McDade (18) 87 fin took the first against Anto Officer and Conor Hanna & Dan Delaney made it 2 vs 0 with their doubles victory over John McCann & Anto Smith.

Match Four

Casement “E” 0 vs 2 Crumlin Star “B”

John Dillon (26) 125, 100, 100, 85 continued his good form this season with a great win in the singles game over Sean Kerr 85, 83, 83, 60. He then watched his teammates Ben Lagan & Jim Flannigan 100, 100, 81 win the doubles as well beating Joe Doone & Pat Burns 140, 100, 86, 85 to put them through to finals night next Wednesday

Match Five

Casey’s “A” 1 vs 2 Crumlin Star “C”

Matt Boyle 100, 85, 81, 80 won the first game against Peter McAlorum 100, 85, 81 only to see Freddie Stilges & Hugh Grieves 117, 95, 95, 78, 69 level it in beating Paul Smyth & Dan Cahoon 135, 100, 100, 85, 85. The Trebles game must have been a cracker, just going by the scores hit, as Crumlin’s team hit scores of 140, 140, 121, 98, 60, 60 to beat Casey’s treble teams scores of 100, 100, 100, 85, 85, 60 to progress to next week on a 1 vs 2 scoreline.

*All teams please be at the Hibs rooms next Wednesday early as the finals night kicks off at 9pm*

Best of luck to all teams left...Sean P

“After the heroics of winning this seasons first “Big” cup and taking out two of the “Big teams” in doing so. Crumlin Star continued to provide the upsets with a fabulous league win over current champs St. Mathews.”

St. Mathews 3 vs 5 Crumlin Star

St. Mats’s Joe O’Kane 2-0 (28 & 31) 120, 99, 85, 75, 75 got the home team and reigning champs off to a cracking start beating Jim Flannigan 97, 85, 85, 83. Crumlin Star’s John Dillon 2-0 (23 & 28) 135, 100, 100, 85, 81 levelled the scores at 1 vs 1 when he beat the home teams “Banker” Martin Irwin 100, 100, 85, 81, 81, 75,70. Freddie Stilges 2-1 won the next game too for the away team beating an unlucky St. Mats’s Jimmy Lavery 150, 121, 100, 100, 85, 84, 81, 80 to make it 1 vs 2. In the next game St. Mats levelled it through Billy McDade 2-1 (19 & 30) 105, 100, 100, 98, 85, 80, 70, 70 who took out Crumlin’s usual “Banker” Ben Lagan 180, 100, 81, 81, 78, 70. Crumlin Star piled on the pressure when they took the next two games in a row through Tommy Henry 2-1 (24 & 26) 100, 100, 95, 81, 80, 80, 80, 78 over John Considine and 100, 81, 81, 81 and Dougie Bowes 2- 1 (26 & 28) 130, 100, 95, 85, 85, 82, 80, 76, 66 over Con Kielty (25) 100, 99, 98, 91, 85, 85, 78 to take a 2 vs 4 lead. Davy McCusker 2-0 (23 & 24) 125, 100, 100, 96, 85, 84 reduced the arrears to one with a fine win over Hugh Grieve 135, 99, 81, 72, 71,. The last match was a cracker and St. Mats’s Jap McKinley starting like a train 100, 100, 60, 60, 60, in taking the first leg which left them needing one more leg to snatch a draw but Crumlin’s Peter Fitzpatrick took the next two in 19 & 24 with scores of 125, 100, 100, 99, 98, 85, 85, 81, 60, 60 and a man of the match performance to get both points for his team.

MOM: Peter Fitzpatrick

“Casement consolidate joint top position in the League with whitewash of Star Celtic who take last two games of the night”

Star Celtic 2 vs 6 Casement

Casement blew into North Belfast like a hurricane with Vinty Lenzi 2-1 (23 & 25) 114, 100, 100, 97, 95, 85, 81, 66, 60, 60, 60, 60, 60 taking the first game against Eamon McGovern. Paul Condon 2-0 (19) 140, 100, 100, 96, 80, 78, 70, 60, 60 continued the assault when he beat Star’s Martin Maloney. Ricky Saddler 2-0 (22 & 23) 133, 98, 96, 96, 95, 95, 85 made it 0 vs 3 to Casement when he defeated Rhys Haywood 133, 95, 83, 83, 78. Paddy McGuiness 2-1 (26) 100, 100, 100, 81, 81, 60, 60, 60, 60 tightened the screws even further in beating Daniel Haywood (22) 120, 120, 85, 85, 78, 75, 75, 65, 60, 60, 60 before his son Colm 2-0 (21 & 23) 180 , 134, 132, 98, 95, 60, 60 took out Rab Lyttle 135, 123, 100, 81, 81 to make it 0 vs 5 to the Andytown outfit. Captain Gerry McCormick 2-0 (22) 99, 85, 83, 81, 66, 60, 60, 60, 60, 60 made it six without reply when he defeated Tony Kelly. Star restored some home pride however in taking the last two matches through Henry McTasney Snr 2-1 125, 100, 100, 98, 92, 81, 70, 70 who beat Henry McCann 125, 85, 82, 66, 60, 60, 60 & Sly 2-1 100, 100, 85, 85, 64, 60, 60, 60, 60 who defeated Kieran McGuiness (22) 140, 100, 95, 85, 80, 76, 70, 68, 66 to leave it 2 vs 6.

MOM Colm McGuiness

“Clonard Hibs put club rivals Hibs 58 to the sword with devastating display of power scoring & finishing to stay joint top in League”.

Clonard Hibs 6 vs 2 Hibs 58

The home team got off to a cracking start when Conor Hanna 2-0 (15 (89 bull finish) & 20) 180, 101, 100, 100, 85, 81 put Mark Lynch 100, 98, 97, 60, 60 to the sword. Adam McDade 2-0 (26 & 27) 99, 92, 83, 60, 60 beat Damien Corbett 99, 85 to make it 2 vs 0. The next game was another belter with Clonard’s John Doyle’s 2-1 (24 (85 bull fin) & 26 (92 fin)) win over 58’s captain Tony Corr (17) 125, 100, 91, 85, 85, 83, 81, 81, 80 bringing his teammates to their feet. Sean Patterson 2-1 (22 (88 fin) & 23) 140, 100, 100, 100, 100, 82, 81 made it 3 vs 1 when he beat Dan Sloan 121, 121, 100, 81, 81 but back came Clonard with Desi Magee 2-0 (24&25) 131, 100, 100, 99, 93 getting his team back to 3 games in front with his win over Jim Boardman 85, 85, 83, 82, 82. The next game was pivotal and Pearse Maguire knew it, putting in a polished display with a 2-0 (27 & 29 ) 100, 100, 98, 85, 85, 85 win over Joe Dineen 100, 100, 95, 85 to put his team 5 vs 1 up. Martin Corbett 2-0 (15 & 20) 140, 140, 140, 140, 85, 83, 83 threw exceptional darts which threatened to be the lowest of the year so far in taking 58’s second game when beating Anto Smith 120, 100, 99, 60, 60 but Clonard’s Hugh McShane 2-1 (24 (114 fin) & 26) 100, 100, 100, 81, 81, 81, 81 ended their evening with another highlight when he won another cracking & close encounter against Tucker Clarke (16) 121, 100, 100, 100, 100, 95, 95, 85. A great example of the FonaCab dart leagues talent on display.

MOM Connor Hanna

“The last game of round 5 in the league saw a very good match between two sides who shared the D/C club as a base last year but who now have renewed a great local derby from the Suffolk area.”

Donegal Celtic 3 vs 5 The Swilly

This game definitely showed that the new boys Swilly are here for the long term. Paul Goodman 2-0 (21 & 30) 140, 140, 100, 98 got the Swilly off to a great start beating David Smyth 100, 100, 100. Tom Kearney 2-0 100, 83, 81, 60, 60 made it 0 vs 2 in beating Alan Hanna 85, 85, 81, 60, 60, 60, 60 and his teammate Kevin O’Neill 2-0 (23) 96, 85, 85, 85 did exactly the same against Paul Doonan 100, 100, 100, 60 to make it 0 vs 3. D/C’s Gary Smith 2-0 (24 & 28) 100, 100, 100, 90, 86, 85, 85 got their first win on the board with a cracking win over a previously very hard to beat in the league Patrick McGeown140, 100, 83 to get it back to 1 vs 3. Tucker Kearney 2-1 (28) 140, 137, 100, 87, 86, 85, 81, 81, 70, 60 continued his great start to this season with a tight victory over Caolan Kearney (27) 100, 100, 97, 81, 81, 81, 80, 77, 63, 60 making it 1 vs 4 then Eamon McVeigh 2-0 (26) 100, 100, 85, 60 beat D/C’s Harry Smith 98, 88, 83, 60, 60 to leave it 1 vs 5 to the visitors. D/C fought on till the end though with two good wins in the last two games coming from Junior McManus 2-0 (23 & 30) 140, 100, 116, 100 over Mick Sullivan and Matt Doone 2-0 (24) 125, 121, 121, 93, 85, 81, 76, 60 over Swilly’s Mick Burns 93, 80, 66, 63. Another cracking game showing the depth of talent in the league this season.

MOM Paul Goodman

Next few weeks it’s the 3-a-sides in the Hibs clubrooms...Sean P.

“Two points separate Top Four teams”

This season has started as the last one ended with any number of teams vying to be champions. There are only 2 points between the top 6 teams and 4 from top to bottom.

Hibs 58 8 vs 0 Donegal Celtic

Hibs 58 went joint top after a convincing whitewash of Donegal Celtic...

Peter McDonnell Jnr 2-0 (22 & 30) 140, 135, 95, 85, 85, 80 showed his teammates just what they had been missing upon his return with a sound win over D/C’s Junior McManus 85, 85, 81, 80, 80. Martin Corbett 2-0 (22)120, 100, 100, 85 made it 2 vs 0 in beating Sean Armstrong 140, 100. Damien Corbett 2-1 121, 100, 95, 83, 81, 81 made it 3 vs 0 with a hard fought win over Davy Smith 100, 85, 85, 85. Jap Craig 2-1 108, 96, 85, 83, 83 made it 4 vs 0 in another tight game against Gary Smith 100, 100, 9985, 81. Tucker Clarke 2-0 (20) 100, 100, 97, 94, 81, 81, 81 made it 5 in a row for the home team in beating Paul Doonan before the performance of the night came from 58’s Mark Lynch 2-0 (18 & 28) 180, 180, 100, 100, 97 beating Alan Hanna 100, 95, 95, 81, 80, 80 Hibs captain Tony Corr 2-0 (22 & 30) 100, 100, 100, 83 then beat Matt Doone 100,100, 81 leaving it 7 vs 0 and then Sean Patterson 2-0 (25 & 25) 137, 85, 81, 81, 81, 81 left the score 8 vs 0 when he won the last game against Harry Smith 85, 81, 80, 80.

MOM: Mark Lynch

Casement 3 vs 5 St. Mathews

St. Mathews get important win over previously unbeaten in the league Casement...

This was a very important match for so early in the League season as Casement were already 4 points clear of their opponents and St. Mats couldn’t afford to give any more encouragement to the team from Andytown.

Paul Condon 2-0 (20 & 29)137, 137, 99, 98, 82, 70, 60 took the first for the home team beating Billy McDade 95, 87, 85, 80, 77. Martin Irwin 2- 0 (25 & 31) 125, 100, 80, 76, 61, 60 levelled it immediately taking out Vinty Lenzi 95, 94, 85, 85, 81, 68, 68. Jap McKinley 2-1 (25) 100, 100, 85, 83, 60, 60 put St. Mats 1 vs 2 ahead in beating Kieran McGuinness (28) 100, 82, 80, 80, 78, 78, 64 only for Ricky Saddler 2-1 (18 & 21) 133, 95, 95, 95, 95, 95, 95 in a man of the match performance against Davy McCusker (26) 140, 100, 100, 100, 85, 85, 80 to level it again at 2 vs 2. John Considine 2-1 (24) 121, 100, 100, 85, 83, 81, 60 made it 2 vs 3 when he took the 5th leg of the match against Pat McGuinness (23) 140, 140, 100, 100, 95, 90, 66, 66 and Con Kielty 2-0 (27) 121, 98, 95, 80,60 ensured at least a point when he made it 2 vs 4 by beating Henry McCann. Casements captain Gerry McCormick 2-0 (23 & 23) 99, 85, 85, 85, 81, 81 kept their hopes alive and brought the score up to 3 vs 4 when he defeated Jimmy Lavery 140, 100, 100 but St. Mathew’s had the winning player in the last leg when Joe O’Kane 2-0 (23 & 31) 140, 100, 87, 83 got the better of Chopper McKay 100, 85, 75 and ensure they took both points home to the Strand.

MOM: Ricky Saddler

Crumlin Star 5 vs 3 Casey’s

Crumlin Star also go joint top with victory over Casey’s...

Last weeks cup winners Crumlin Star continued their fine form with a hard fought victory over Casey’s in this their third week of fixtures at home in a row. Ben Lagan (20) 100, 99, 99, 81, 80 got the ball rolling with a sound 2-0 victory over Paul Smyth 100, 100, 85, 85, 70 before Matt Boyle (24 & 31) 140, 100, 88, 78, 78 did the exact same to Crumlin Star’s Freddie Stilges 114, 85, 79, 79, 61 to level the game at 1 vs 1. Gerard Holmes 2-0 (26 & 29) 135, 101, 81, 81 then put the visitors 1 vs 2 up in beating “Big Note” Fra Glennon. Crumlin Star then powered home with four great wins in a row through Dougie Bowes 2-0 (28 & 28) 100, 81, 80, 79, 76, 69 over Stevie Lackey 180, 85, 85, 82 Hugh Grieves 2-1 (23) 133, 120, 100, 95, 81, 60 over Gerry McIlduff 90, 69, 67, 67 Peter Fitzpatrick 2-0 (21 & 28) 95, 95, 81, 79 against Casey’s Olcan Kearney 122, 85, 81 & Tommy Henry getting a bye in his game. Casey’s got some pride back when their player Connor Smith 2-1 (21 & 22) 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 97, 70, 60 won the last game and also the MOM in his cracking encounter with Crumlin’s John Dillon (19) 140, 95, 91, 85, 81 to leave the final score 5 vs 3

MOM Connor Smith

Swilly 6 vs 2 Star Celtic

Suffolk road outfit Swilly moved onto 4 points in the league but are now only two off the top spot with a comprehensive 6 vs 2 win over Star Celtic...

Paul Goodman 2-0 (28 & 29) 95, 92, 86, 85, 81, 60, 60 got the home team off to a great start beating Star’s Henry McTasney Jnr 97, 79, 79, 70, 65. Martin Maloney 2-0 (29) 125, 100, 92, 85, 84, 81, 60, 60 then levelled it at 1 vs 1 in beating Mick Sullivan 85, 60, 60, 60. The Swilly then showed why they’re considered dark horses in every tournament this year by putting on the after burners in the next four games ensuring both points through Tucker Kearney 2-0 (24 & 30) 130, 100, 100, 67, 61, 60, 60, 60 over Don Haywood 100, 100, 81, 68, 60, 60, 60, 60 (Eamo) 2-0 81, 81, 60, 60, 60 over Gary Healy 100, 85, 85, 68 Kevin O’Neill 2-0 (20 & 22) 140, 140, 100, 100, 100, 91, 85 against Star’s Connor McGovern 114, 95, 84, 80 & Mick Burns 2-0 97, 96, 81, 81 over Henry McTasney Snr 100, 92, 81, 70, 60 putting the home team 5 vs 1 up. Rab Lytlle 2-0 (23 & 29) 100, 95, 83, 81, 81, 81, 70, 68, 67 restored some Star pride in taking the next game over Tom Kearney but the Swilly had the last laugh when their player Patrick McGeown 2-1 (22) 140, 140, 122, 100, 100, 96, 85, 60, 60, 60, 60, 60 took the last against Sylvester Slyzak (28) 123, 85, 60, 60, 60, 60, 60 to leave the final score 6 vs 2 to the home team.

MOM Kevin O’Neill

Next week its League matches again with four of the top five teams playing against each other so lots of changes expected...

Sean P

Last Wednesday night saw the remaining 4 qualifiers make their way to the Crumlin Star clubrooms in Ardoyne to compete against each other to take home the prestigious Corbett cup.

The draw for the semis kept the so called “big two” on the night apart.

Semi-final 1: Crumlin Star 5 vs 3 Casement:

Casement got off to a flyer in this game. Pat McGuiness 140, 100, 83 took the first with a good win over Dougie Bowes 140, 100. Pat’s son Colm 100, 100, 100, , who has developed into a cracking thrower, made it 2 vs 0 by next beating Jim Flannigan. Tommy Henry 140, 100, 85, 85, 81 stopped the rot with a sound win over Sean Kerr to make it 1 vs 2. Kieran McGuiness then hit scores of 100, 85, 85, 85 to restore Casements two game advantage to 1 vs 3 when he defeated the forever young Freddie Stilges 85, 85, 85. Casement must have thought they were home in a boat when they looked at the match-card and saw their next four throwers but darts has a wonderful way of giving us our very own series of “Tales of the unexpected” when Crumlin’s Peter Fitzpatrick 100, 100, 81 Fra “Big Note” Glennon 133, 95, 83, 83 John Dillon 85, 85, 83 & Hugh Grieve 140, 100, 85 respectively beat Casement players Gerry McCormick 100, 100, 99 Ricky Saddler 137, 99, 95 Joe Doone 100, 100, 81 & Venti Lenzi 100, 100, 81, 81 to put the home team into the final.

MOM Kieran McGuiness

Semi-Final 2: Star Celtic 0 vs Clonard Hibs 5:

On the other board the second team from the North Belfast Crumlin Star showrooms Star Celtic were trying to make it a derby final night but they came up against a top team in Clonard who in this game blew them away 0 vs 5. Hibs’s five winners were John Doyle 121, 100, 100, Anto Smith 100, 100, Dan Sloan 100, 100, Conor Hanna (29) 140, 100 & Adam McDade 125, 100 who all won against Star players Henry McTasney Jnr, Daniel Haywood, Gary Healy, Rab Lytlle & Henry McTasney snr 125.

MOM Connor Hanna:

Final: Crumlin Star 5 vs 2 Clonard Hibs:

Clonard got off to the best possible start taking the first two legs with wins coming from Connor Hanna 85, 81, 77, 60, 60, 60, & Pearse Maguire 97, 95, 84, 81, 60, 60, over Fra Glennon 127, 67, 67, & Freddie Stilges 100, 100, 86, 85, 60. Crumlin hit straight back though through their big guns when both Peter Fitzpatrick 140, 100, 88, 85, 81, 60 & Dougie Bowes (27) 121, 121, 83, 81, 80, played fantastic darts to level the match beating Clonard’s John Doyle 99, 99, 60, 60, 60, & Dessie Magee 140, 100, 100, 78, 60. The game was very evenly poised at this stage but Crumlin Star stepped on the pedal from here on in and played fabulous darts with their next three players all finishing in 30 darts or less for 701 which is no mean feat in a cup final, late at night with a few bevvies taken. They were Hugh Grieve (30) 123, 100, 84, 81, 81, 63 Ben Lagan (29) 140, 100, 99, 79, 60, 60, & Tommy Henry 140, 85, 85, 84, 60, 60 who defeated Clonard’s Dan Sloan 100, 81, 80, Richard Mervyn 95, 95, 79, 62 & Hugh McShane 98, 65, 60, 60, 60.

Some cracking darts were thrown on the night and overall Crumlin Star came out very worthy winners of the Corbett cup.

MOM: Dougie Bowes.

Its back to League matters next week with the highlight being a top of the table clash between Casement & St. Mathews to wet our appetites...till then...

Sean P

CONGRATULATIONS TO CRUMLIN STAR ON WINNING THE FIRST CUP OF THE YEAR IN THEIR OWN CLUB BY HOLDING OFF TOP CONTENDERS TO GO ALL THE WAY AND ACHIEVE A NOTABLE WIN FOR THEIR TEAM.A FULL REPORT WILL BE PUBLISHED HERE SOON,SO KEEP COMING BACK TO READ IT.ONCE AGAIN,MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO CRUMLIN STAR DART TEAM.