10/05/2026
On Saturday May 9th our league final took place between Doyne’s A and The Bawn Inn, in Bartley’s Bar Drumcree. There has been nothing between these two big hitters in the past with the most recent meeting between both teams coming just a few weeks ago in the cup final in the same venue where The Bawn got the upper hand on that occasion. First game up seen the Bawns Brian McGuinness and Mattie Murtagh play Andy Reilly and Jimmy Hickey in the first game of doubles. The Bawn lads started well with McGuinness hitting double 18 to win the first leg, but Reilly and Hickey fought back hitting double 16 in leg two and tops in leg three to win the first game of the night for Doyne’s A. Next game was another game of doubles with Brendan Thornton and Cormac Foley playing David Coleman and John McCarthy. It was Thornton to hit double 16 in the third leg to win 2-1 and level up the score at 1-1. Next up was our first game of singles and it was fitting that the leagues top two performers went head-to-head in Foley playing Hickey. Hickey started like a train claiming the first leg in just twelve darts, checking out 115 and hitting the nights first 180 in doing so. Hickey won the second leg hitting double 8, and in the third leg threw two 140s to leave himself on tops and he gladly checked it out on first attempt to leave the scoreline 2-1 to Doyne’s. Next up was another clash of big hitters with Mattie Murtagh playing Andy Reilly. Reilly started well checking out 82 to win the first leg. Murtagh found his form in the second leg throwing a 135, followed by 138, to leave tops, and he checked it out to level up and in the third leg checked out 36 to go in front. Reilly dug in to win the next leg and in the fifth leg he started with a 140, followed by 125, and then checked out 84 in two darts to win the leg in just fourteen darts to put Doyne’s 3-1 in front. Fifth game of the night seen our singles champion Brian McGuinness take on John McCarthy, and with The Bawn now under pressure, it was McGuinness who delivered beating McCarthy 3-1 to leave the scoreline 3-2 to the Doyne’s lads. Sixth game of the night seen Thornton play Shane Brody. Brody started the better throwing a 100, followed by a 180, and checked out 60 to win the first leg. Thornton battled back to win the next two legs, checking out 108 in the third leg. Brody settled again and checked out double 16 in legs 4 and 5, to win his game and leave the scoreline 4-2 to Doyne’s and leave them just one game away from victory. In the seventh game of the night, it was Thomas Carroll against Davy Coleman. Coleman raced into a two-leg lead thanks to some brilliant finishing and a 180 in the second leg. In the third leg Carroll steadied and hit three 100s in a row and checked out 36 to get himself back into the game. In the fourth leg, again it was Colemans finishing that sealed the deal when he checked out double 10, to spark celebrations for the Doyne’s players and supporters, winning on a scoreline of 5-2. Hard luck to The Bawn lads who played well on the night and who have had a brilliant year. After the game our chairman Jimmy Coyle presented the cup to Doyne’s A captain Andy Reilly. Thanks to Denise Bartley and all the staff at Bartley’s Bar for doing a super job of hosting our final. As this was our last game of the year, we would like to thank all the pubs and players that participated in this year’s league. The numbers of teams have increased in recent years which is great to see, and the standard is going up every year so well done to all. We would also at this time like to acknowledge our sponsors of which there is lots. Sean Doyne, John Carter, Declan Browne, Bartley Engineering, BMF Autos, David Smyth Catering, Liam Smyth Engineering, Oldcastle Cabs, McCormack’s Bar, KPC Shuttering McNamee Coach Hire, Crean’s Bar, Dermot Brady Painting, AMC Electrical.
