Vickers impresses in West Coast Challenge
Leitrim teams made the journey to the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon for the West Coast Challenge last Sunday, the second most important inter-county competition in the Darts calendar. With approximately 700 competitors and supporters, Leitrim had teams in the mens A & B competitions and the Ladies competition.
An early start saw the first team members collected at approximately 5.30 in Dromahair, the team eventually gathering in Cox’s of Dromod for a pre-arranged breakfast, a feat of timing and thanks to Cox’s for their hospitality.
In the A grade, Leitrim were drawn with holders Sligo, recent All-Ireland champions Mayo and Longford. In a very strong group, Leitrim acquitted themselves admirably with a win over Longford and two narrow competitive losses against Mayo & Sligo.
The B team were drawn in the group of death with tournament favourites Donegal. Limerick and Roscommon. This was Leitrim’s first time to enter a B team, giving more exposure to the county’s players and while everyone competed manfully, they were well beaten by Donegal and Limerick before suffering an agonising 7 legs to 6 defeat to Roscommon B.
In terms of attitude, discipline and ability, we , as management, couldn't have asked for more from this group and I for one hope we continue fielding B teams.
The men's A team can consider themselves unfortunate not to have progressed to the knockout stages of the main event and had to content themselves with the Shield competition.
When the points were tallied as fate would have it, our A & B teams clashed in a very interesting quarter final with the As winning a very competitive game, reaching the seventh and deciding leg just ahead of a gallant B team effort.
A number of players entered the Open singles on Sunday with our A team captain Jason Vickers reaching the semi finals. It took PDC player & World Championships competitor Dylan Slevin from Tipperary to halt his progress, a great effort from Jason.
AGM
Our AGM takes place in the Barrel Store on January 28, followed by an A v B challenge match & a MIMO Singles for any wishing to get involved be it players or members this day is the perfect starting point
Vault Series
Leitrim Darts will host a leg of the ADC Vault Series in the Barrel Store in Carrick on Shannon on February 13. Registration will open on February 6, with a maximum of 24 players competing. First to pay the online registration fee of £6 gets the places - multiple games every night with round robin format, playing to a final each night.
Good luck Ray
We all wish Ray Mulvey all the best as he represents Ireland at the Islands Internationals in the Isle of Mann next weekend. Ireland are the current holders, having won the inaugural event last year in Guernsey. Ray had the privilege of throwing the winning double in the eighth leg of the final against Isle of Mann. Best of luck to all the Irish players.
Mohill Darts League
Results: O'Callaghan’s A 2-5 Cusack’s A; O’Brien’s 4-3 Cusacks B. This week’s sponsor After Dark Tuning.