New leaders andbig win for Clanns
Just as impressive were Clann Eireann who recorded their first victory in five years as they beat the Trojans 5-3.
On many occasions the men in orange have been close to causing upsets when holding the more experienced teams to draws but were never able to get that fifth win needed to claim both points, until this week.
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Hide AdJoe McGahan continued his recent fine form with a 2-1 win over Andrew Colhoun before Michael Scullion doubled their lead winning 2-0 against Stuart Matchett. Paul Beattie pulled one back winning both legs against David Beale but Joe McCabe’s last leg win over Paul Lewis restored the two game advantage.
John McDowell again brought the Trojans back into it beating Kevin O’Loan but the Clann Eireann men weren’t letting this one get away from them. Mark Magee’s 2-0 win over Liz McLoughlin put them 4-2 up with two to play. Johnny McAtamney was unable to seal the win as he lost a last leg decider to Davy Vaughan Sr so it was left to Neil McCluskey to take the plaudits as he won both legs against Andy Fairbain to win it and claim that much sought after win.
The INF went into their match against the Vintage knowing defeat would leave them three points behind the champions.
The match started off well with Terry Morrow coming up against Keith Beale with both players having not dropped a leg so far this season and it was Terry who kept his record intact taking both legs in 24 and 21 darts to put the visitors one nil up.
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Hide AdOliver Toland had a 19 dart leg in beating Lee Culbert 2-0. A 97 checkout for an 18 dart second leg helped John Cinnamond increase his winning streak to an incredible 28 games as the Vintage went 2-1. Game four seen Jamesy Bolton and Dave McCusker share the opening two legs and when Jamesy hit a 140 and another 100 in his opening couple of throws in the deciding leg it looked as if the Vintage were pulling away. But with almost 250 points behind Dave found his top gear as a 140 followed by a 180 and taking out 53 on his next throw completely turned the game. Back to back 140’s by Dee Blaney seen him take early control against Seamy Tallon and even though he missed double tops for a 14 dart leg he eventually won it in 20 darts to go one up. There was never much in it in the next two legs though and it was Seamy he hit those all important doubles to put the INF 3-2 up. Conor Mallon levelled matters again as he beat Marty Crossan. Paddy Magill had too much experience for Kevin Magill as he won 2-0 to put the INF back in front and bring it to the last game between Marty Murray and Dee McCready.
Big scoring by Dee put him out in front, only for him to leave that dreaded double 1 and Marty took advantage as he was able to hit double 16 to take the opening leg. Dee wasn’t able to repeat the big scores in leg two as Marty pulled in front and again had no trouble hitting his double to record a great win for the visitors and put a new name at the top of table .
Eire Og and the Stables went into their match level on points in the league and a close match expected but it was Eire Og who showed their true capabilities as they ran away with victory winning the first seven matches. Chris Cinnamond and Gareth Bunting exchanged 180’s but it was a 14 dart leg by Chris that helped him to a 2-0 win. Micky Campbell took both legs against Hugh Campbell to double the lead and when Mark McLernon won a last leg decider against Peter Morris it put the Eire Og men in control.
Paul Callaghan kept the momentum going as he too took a last decider against Michael Lamb to make it 4-0 and when Micky Dunwoodie won 2-0 against Cherie Toland the points were in the bag. Dermot McStay made it 6-0 with victory over Rab Lewis and when Paul McGahan beat Shane Tallon 2-0 the whitewash was on the cards. It was left to Pat Curran to stop the whitewash as he won a last leg decider against Nathan McCabe to finish off what was a disappointing night for the Stables team.
Results
Clann Eireann 5-3 Trojans
Joe Mcgahan 2-1 Andrew Colhoun
Michael Scullion 2-0 Stuart Matchett
David Beale 0-2 Paul Beattie
Joe McCabe 2-1 Paul Lewis
Kevin Oloan 1-2 John Mc Dowell
Mark Magee 2-0 Liz McLaughlin
Jonathan McAtamney 1-2 Davy Vaughan
Neil Mc Cluskey 2-0 Andrew Fairbairn
Vintage 3-5 INF
Keith Beale 0-2 Terry Morrow
Oliver Toland 2-0 Lee Culbert
John Cinnamond 2-0 Vincey Culbert
Jamesy Bolton 1-2 Dave Bap Darts Mc Cusker
Dee Blaney 1-2 Seamy Tallon
Conor Mallon 2-0 Martin Crossan
Kevin Magill 0-2 Paddy Magill
Dee Mccready 0-2 Martin Murray
Eire Og 7-1 Stables
Chris Cinnamond 2-0 Gareth Bunting
Micky Campbell 2-0 Hugh Campbell
Mark McLernon 2-1 Peter Morris
Paul Callaghan 2-1 Michael Stokie Lamb
Micky Dunwoodie 2-0 Cherie Toland
Dermie McStay 2-1 Rab Lewis
Paul Martin Mcgahan 2-0 Shane Tallon
Nathan Mccabe 1-2 Pat Curran