Donegal were crowned All Ireland Darts Champions 2020 this weekend after winning the All Ireland Inter County Championship in Ennis, Co. Clare.
Donegal had a difficult start in Saturday’s first stage of the competition after losing their first match 7-6 to Wicklow. With what started with a 5 leg losing streak they managed to come back to 6-6 and just lost out on the last leg.
Their team talk after that defeat must have made an impact as they breezed through their next match winning 10-3 against Cavan. They topped their group and were buzzing for Sundays Final stages.
The competition started at 11am but the players were up and at it from 8 or before to get the practice in for the day ahead! First up was Kerry. Donegal led the way through this knock out match winning with a nice 7-5 victory.
The quarter final saw them up against Mayo. Both teams had met in last months West Coast Challange in the final where Donegal came back from 4-2 down to beat them 7-4. Mayo were not likely to be an easy game. Mayo started strong with a 0-2 lead. Donegal’s Adrian Divine won the 3rd game. But Mayo won again leaving Donegal on 1-3.
But Gerard Mc Glynn and Reece Brennan hammered in two 2 nil games to bring it all even at 3-3. John Flood and Charlie Grant gave Donegal a nice 5-3 lead with 2 more strong 2-0 game wins. Mayo got 1 more game back but Michael Leech and Jordan Boyce were on the team sheet to make sure Donegal got the result to make it a 7-5 win and a spot in the Semi final.
With only an hour break, a quick bite to eat was had before the semi-final started with a fired up Cork Team!
The anti was definitely upped in this state where it was best of 5 legs to win a game. Cork started strong here with the first game.
Andy McLaughlin won his game to make it all square. Donegal lost the next 2 games making the gap that bit bigger at 1-3. Gerard McGlynn got a mighty game back to bring us only 1 behind. But another strong game from Cork saw us 2-4 down. But John Flood and Charlie Grant were the on the ockey next and brought us back to all square at 4-4. Tensions were running high and the crowd were getting louder as both team were cheered on to make it to the Final. Cork went ahead again before Michael Leech, Jordan Boyce and Clive Aiken took to the ockey and claimed Donegals place in the final!
Kilkenny and wexford were fighting it out beside our battle station for a place in the final. Shouts and cheers matched that of Donegal when Wexford took their place in the final.
The final was ON.
Can you imagine the pressure? Of course you can. We’ve all been to finals and nearly had heart attacks when our side has left it to the last minute of the match to decide a game. Nerves are all part of the game.
But when those nerves have to be steadied so your hand wont shake even a milimetre so that 60 you were aiming for wont go into the 3 which is only 8mm wide, well that takes some doing. Fair play to all dart players. A game of endurance and precision.
Donegal started the final the way they intended, strong and determined. John flood took to the stage and gave Donegal the mighty 1st point. Andy Mc laughlin ran away with a 3-0 game giving Donegal 2 on the trot. Joe flood made it 3-0 and Donegal had a nice lead. Sean Wilson lost his game giving Wexford their 1st point. But the troups rallied and support was high as Adrian Divine took to the stage where he made it 4-1 for Donegal. Reece Brennan was in top form as he took another leg from Wexford and made it 5-1. Gerard Mc Glynn wasnt going to see the final lose him a match this weekend and for a 100% record he made it 6-1. We only needed 1 more to claim the title.
Cartha Boyle was next up but his Wexford opponent upped the anti and took 1 back for Wexford. Charlie Grants roaring support from the crowd was enough to spur him on to win the game for his teammates. With a 132 check out in the 3rd leg and a 15 darter to win the match he certainly gave his all to crown Donegal the All Ireland Champions !
Well done to Wexford for a great game in the final. Big thanks to INDO for a well run weekend.
A mighty thanks to our fantastic supporters who travelled all the way down for the weekend. Many thanks also to our sponsors.
Donegals winning team;
Mens Team:
Captain – Sean Wilson
Vice Captain – John Murray
Selector – Noel O’Donnell
Michael Leech
Charlie Grant
Paddy Boyce – Father
Jordan Boyce – Son
John Gallagher
John Flood – Son
Joe Flood – Father
Cartha Boyle
Alan Byrne
Andy Mc Laughlin
Reece Brennan
Adrian Divine
Clive Aiken
Anthony Worskey
Gerard Mc Glynn
Andrew Gillespie
Manager – James Weir.
Manager – Robert Hayes
NB; John Gallagher missing from team photo on right.
More photos available if required.
There were live streams posted on our facebook page for the quarter, semi and final. Please have a look. We have thousands follow our journey at the weekend.quarter final – Donegal Darts – Donegal v Mayo First To 7
Semi Final – https://www.facebook.com/DonegalDarts/videos/1815903228545590/
Final – https://www.facebook.com/IrishNationalDartsOrganisation/videos/180205943274111/UzpfSTUyNDI2MDIwNDM0MDc2MToyNTQ1MDExMjYyMjY1NjM1/
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