In darts, the annual INDO Inter-counties was held in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, County Kerry last weekend. Roscommon had both ladies and men’s teams competing. What a weekend it turned out to be!
Our men faced a daunting task in their group, which included Kerry, Meath, Limerick and Longford. A narrow 8-5 loss to Kerry (wins for Sean Fleming (twice), David Concannon, Mick Egan and Kieran Mullen) was followed by a 9-4 defeat to Limerick (Mick Egan, Sean Fleming, Aaron Blaides and Padraig Kearney with the Roscommon wins).
A victory was needed to keep hopes of a last 16 berth alive, and an 8-5 win over neighbours Longford was just what was required.
Wins for David Concannon, Kieran McCormack, Thomas Concannon, Darren O’Brien, Mick Egan, Padraig Kearney, Kieran Mullen and Aaron Shannon ensured Roscommon stayed in contention.
Roscommon needed to beat Meath in their final game, but despite wins for Darren O’Brien, David Concannon, Aaron Blaides, Mick Egan, Kieran McCormack and Padraig Kearney, a 7-6 loss meant that Roscommon would progress to the shield event on Sunday.
Roscommon received a bye to the quarter-finals, where they would yet again meet Longford. A 7-5 win for Roscommon was built on wins for David Concannon, Darren O’Brien, Thomas Concannon, Sean Fleming and Mick Egan before Aaron Shannon hit the winning double to secure a semi-final place.
A tough Westmeath team awaited. Despite losing the first two games, Roscommon regained composure to take a 3-2 lead thanks to wins for Padraig Kearney, Sean Fleming and Thomas Concannon. Games were exchanged back and forth, as Kieran McCormack, Aaron Blaides and Darren O’Brien all played their part with wins. However, with the score tied at 6-6, it would go to a final game. Sean Finan showed great determination in overcoming a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1 to send Roscommon to the Shield Final.
In that final, Roscommon’s opponents were an experienced Carlow outfit. Roscommon were slow out of the traps, Carlow taking a 2-0 lead. Roscommon rallied, wins for David Concannon, Thomas Concannon, Sean Fleming and Mick Egan putting them 4-2 ahead. Games were exchanged on two occasions from here, with wins for Padraig Kearney and Aaron Blaides putting Roscommon 6-5 in front.
Next up was Darren O’Brien who held his nerve superbly in his first year playing county darts with Roscommon, recording a 2-1 win and sealing a national title for Roscommon on a 7-5 scoreline.
Congratulations to all players who put in the work both this year and over previous years. Special thanks to our management team of Tommy Beirne and Brendan Mullarkey for all their preparations over recent months.
Meanwhile, it was a momentous occasion for our ladies team, who after forming last year competed in the event for the first time.
Laois, Donegal and Galway awaited in an extremely tough group. A 6-1 loss to a hugely experienced Galway team (Barbara Victory with the Roscommon win), was followed by 5-2 defeats to Donegal (wins for Katie Walshe and Elaine Hannon) and Laois (wins for Barbara Victory and Jane King).
Valuable game time and experience on the main stage was gained throughout the group stages, while the ladies progressed to the Shield event on Sunday.
A bye to the quarters paired them against a strong Louth outfit. Despite going 2-0 down, the ladies showed great resolve, as wins for Katie Walshe, Elaine Hannon and Barbara Victory put them 3-2 ahead and only one point from victory. However, it was not to be as Louth edged it on a 4-3 scoreline.
Well done to out ladies team on a highly successful year. Thanks to the players and manager Martin King for all their efforts throughout the year.
Finally, as always, we extend special thanks to Hannon’s Hotel for their continued sponsorship of darts in Roscommon.
