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.

Joe 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.

Oliver 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