A day to remember for Castlebar darts
CASTLEBAR are the undisputed kings of Mayo darts as they became the first ever district to claim both the Mayo District Darts League championship and shield titles in the same year on a wonderful day of darting action last Saturday in Breaffy House Hotel.
Castlebar B beat Westport B 7-2 in the shield semi-final before facing off against Erris in a dramatic final. In a repeat of the last year's shield semi-final, which Erris won in sudden death, Castlebar were looking at another devastating defeat after going 5-3 down.
But Castlebar showed incredible nerve as they won 4 sets on the spin, with Martin Joyce checking out 64 on double top to seal a memorable win.
The win was all the more remarkable for the B side as their planned jerseys for the event failed to arrive in on time and had to do with some makeshift tops at short notice, which were kindly sponsored by The Connaught Telegraph.
If Castlebar B needed inspiration on how to do comebacks, they can certainly look at their A counterparts. Castlebar A had it down to an artform, as they were truly the comeback kings over the day, helped in no small part by the brilliance of John Joe Ormsby. In one of his finest days in darts, and there have been plenty of them, he rescued a draw for Castlebar after they were 6-3 down against Erris in the group stages. In the semi-finals, 5-1 down to Westport A, he then stepped in at 6-6 to seal a remarkable comeback for the county town.
But he saved his best for last at 6-6 in the final against two-time champions South Mayo A, with his double 9 leading to wild scenes of celebration among both Castlebar teams
It wasn't all doom and gloom for South Mayo though as their B side beat a tough Achill outfit to win the plate.
It was a great day for all the districts who took part and Martin Geraghty, the man behind the entire event, and David O'Malley, who assisted Martin throughout the day, certainly deserve all the credit that comes their way for what has become a major highlight of the Mayo darts scene.