fonaCAB Central Darts League

“Clonard Hibs Win Epic McIlhome Cup Final”

Last Wednesday night St. Mathews was the place to be if you wanted drama, excitement, and thrilling finishes on a dart night. The all important draw paired old foes Clonard Hibs against the home team St. Mathews & Casement would entertain Star Celtic.

Semi-Final 1:

Clonard Hibs 5 vs 2 St. Mathews

Conor Hanna 100, 99, 85, 81 took the first leg for Hibs defeating John Considine 100, 85, 85. Davy McCusker 135, 85, 85, 81 responded for St. Mat’s taking out Anto Smith 140, 60, 60. Desi Magee 100, 85, 85, 60 made it 2 vs 1 to Clonard when he took the third leg against Jap McKinley 100, 92, 60, 60. Pearse Maguire (31) 122, 100, 85, 85, 85 made it 3 vs 1 when he took the next one against Joe O’Kane 81, 81, 60, 60. Con Kielty 100, 85, 85, 81, 60 fought hard to make it 3 vs 2 when he defeated Hugh McShane. This however proved to be their last win of the night as first Dan Delaney 100, 85, 85, 85, 78 beat Martin Irwin 100, 85, 85 and finally Dan Sloan 180 135, 93, 81 beat Jimmy Lavery 98, 85, 60,60 to put their team through to the final later that evening.

Man Of Match Davy McCusker

Semi-Final 2:

Casement 5 vs 1 Star Celtic

The North Belfast men were full of hope going into this match looking to make it to their first “Big Cup” final in years. Casement however had other ideas and Chopper McKay 100, 84, 76, 75, 68 took the first game for them beating Ian Haywood 85, 70, 66, 65, 65. Colm McGuinness (28) 140, 85, 85, 85, 85, 76, 60 threw cracking darts to make it 2 vs 0 beating Henry McTasney Jnr and Vinty Lenzi 100, 81, 70, 60, 60, 60 made it 3 vs 0 taking out Rhys Haywood 95, 79, 74, 60, 60. Star got their only win of the semi in the next game when Gary Healy 134, 125, 92, 60 played great darts to defeat Kieran McGuinness who replied with his own good scores of 121, 100, 80 & 72 but that was as good as it got for them as first the evergreen Gerry McCormick (33) 100, 100, 85, 66, 60, 60, 60, and then Paul Condon 97, 95, 60, 60, 60 won their games against Danny Anderson 140, 98, 94, 81, 78 & Daniel Haywood 85, 85, 76, 75 to take Casement into the final.

Man of Match: Colm McGuiness

Henry McIlhome Cup Final

Casement 4 vs 5 Clonard Hibs

This really was a thrilling final and a very fitting tribute to the McIlhome family. First it went one way then the other right to the very end. Anto Smith 100, 100, 81 60 took the first game for Hibs over Paddy McGuinness 100, 100, 83. Paddy’s son Colm 100, 85, 81, 76, 65, 60, 60 responded well and levelled it beating Hugh McShane 180 121, 70, 60. Dessie Magee (33) 140, 100, 99, 81, 60, 60, 60 threw brilliantly to beat Vinty Lenzi 100, 95, 85, 85, 60, 60 and leave the score 1 vs 2 to Hibs. Casement then hit a fantastic purple patch with two great wins from first Paul Condon (33) 140, 97, 85, 85, 63, 60, 60 and then Chopper McKay (33) 133, 95, 94, 83, 81 over Hib’s Dan Delaney 121, 100, 81, 60, 60 & Adam McDade 121, 95, 81, 80, 60, 60 to leave it 3 vs 2 in their favour. Pearse Maguire 100, 97, 81, 60, 60, 60 levelled it at 3 vs 3 when he took the next against Gerry McCormick 100, 99, 70, 60, 60. Henry McCann 100, 100, 81, 62, 60, 60 got the better of big John Doyle 121, 95, 77, 76, 76 to put Casement within one win from lifting the trophy at 4 vs 3. Connor Hanna 180, 140, 100, 99 played an amazing leg against Kieran McGuinness 100, 82, 81, 60, 60 in the next and levelled the match again at 4 vs 4. The last leg must have been a nerve wreaker for both Captain’s and their teams but it was Clonard Hibs’s Dan Sloan 123, 100, 82, 60, 60 who held his nerve the best against Ricky Saddler 96, 96, 95, 79, 67 to tumultuous applause from his teammates and enable Hibs to lift this prestigious trophy this year. Pat McGahan presented the trophy to Connor Hanna on behalf of the sponsors.

Man of Match: Chopper McKay

It’s back to the bread & butter of league action next week...SP