League Hotting Up
Spell's topped of the League for the Christmas break and after winning their final home game of 2008. Spell's, Ballaghaderreen, 4; McDermott's, Ballinaheglish, 3 (15-12 on legs). Spell's stretched their unbeaten run to six games. All games went with the darts on the night with the clash of unbeaten league players with Mark Finneran the pick of the night.

But Sean Fleming and David Concannon got the ball rolling with a 3-1 win for Fleming. Thomas Concannon levelled with a 3-1 win over Patrick Tansey. Both had a 90 checkout apiece. Martin Fleming came out the better in his game with Joe Elliffee. Checkouts of 56 and 54 in legs one and two gave Fleming the upper hand. But Elliffee failed to take the third in which he hit three consecutive 140's at the start of the leg. Jimmy Finn lost his unbeaten run Mark Finneran, who was fresh from his participation in the Winmau World Masters in England. Denis Coffey strolled through game five unhindered. In game six Gary Concannon struggled past a very poor Frank Duffy showing and Benji Hayden capitalised on Andy Fallon's woes with a 3-2 win. Mark Finneran clocked his fifth 180 of the League while Jimmy Finn topped the checkouts with a 115 checkout – his fourth 100+ checkout of the League. Scores: S. Fleming 3 D. Concannon 1; P. Tansey 1 T. Concannon 3; M. Fleming 3 J. Elliffee 0; J. Finn 2 M. Finneran 3; D. Coffey 3 M. Fallon 0; F. Duffy 0 G. Concannon 3; B. Hayden 3 A. Fallon 2.

Remaining Fixtures- Home Team first named.
All 10pm.
January 9th – Round 10 Spell's,
Ballaghaderreen, v Flanagan's, Castleplunkett.
January 16th – Round 11 Claypipe Bar,
Knockcroghery, v Spell's, Ballaghaderreen.
January 23rd – Round 12 Spell's,
Ballaghaderreen, v Murray's, Elphin.
January 30th - Round 13 Creaton's,
Loughglynn, v Spell's, Ballaghaderreen.
February 7th – Round 14 Spell's,
Ballaghaderreen, v Church Street Station,
Ballaghaderreen.

Semi Final and Final Dates will be decided later.

Ballagh Players involved in Intercounty Darts action.
January 18th – Pete Donnellon Cup in Hannon's Hotel, Roscommon Town. Roscommon v Longford. Denis Coffey, Jimmy Finn, Sean Fleming, Patrick Tansey, Martin Fleming and Frank Duffy all involved.

January 25th - West Coast Challenge, Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Leitrim and Roscommon battle it out at Breaffy House Hotel in Castlebar in the second most important Intercounty Darts event on the Irish Darts calendar.

February 7th and 8th. All Ireland I.N.D.O. Intercounties at Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar. 26 Counties involved.

Family affair decides Kenny Cup.
Roscommon All Ireland Darts winning Youth David Concannon became the youngest winner of the Tommy Kenny Cup Darts Tournament at Creaton's of Loughglynn in December. A comeback from 3-0 down in the final ended in a 6-5 scoreline against his talented younger cousin Thomas Concannon. A total of 46 players took part on the day, with the draw throwing up all kinds of surprises early on. Twice winner Sean Finan was beaten in his preliminary round game to the eventual winner. As was Spell's 2006 winner Martin Fleming, who was also beaten by David Concannon later in the first round. Last year’s winner, Mick Egan, was also knocked out at the last 16 stage by Spell's Jimmy Finn. Jimmy Reilly was the last of the previous winners to be knocked out as he was beaten 4-0 by the eventual runner-up in the first quarter final. Jimmy Finn was very impressive in his quarter final win over three time Kenny Cup runner-up Sean Fleming. Finn capitalised on any mistake Fleming made and struck important scores and finishes when needed most. David Concannon took a 4-2 win over Spell's Patrick Tansey and another of Spell's finest Frank Duffy was sublime in his 4- 3 struggle over Brian McCormack. The first Semi Final between Thomas Concannon and Jimmy Finn was easily the better of the two. Finn had checkouts of 50,52, and 64 but a superb match winning 90 checkout on the bull put the younger Concannon through to the final. In the second semi-final it was one-way traffic as David Concannon destroyed Frank Duffy. All Concannon's legs were swift with Duffy not even getting on a finish. A 110 checkout in leg two set the winner on his way to a 5- 0 win. Highest checkouts on the day were David Concannon's 110, 120 twice by Sean Fleming, a 122 by David Concannon and the highest on the day was a 135 effort by Mark Finneran. Lady of the Tournament was Kathy Fleming. Presentations of The Tommy Kenny Cup and mementos were made by Sinead Kenny to all the winners. Scores: Last 16: J. Finn 3 M. Egan 1; S. Fleming 3 G. Concannon 0; P. Tansey 3 M. Kearney 2; D. Concannon 3 P. Kearney 2; T. Concannon 3 M. Finneran 1; J. Reilly 3 M. Conroy 0; F. Duffy 3 J. Cullinane 0; B. McCormack 3 T. Concannon Snr 1. Last 8: J. Finn (Spell's) 4 S. Fleming (Spell's) 3; D. Concannon (McDermott's) 4 P. Tansey (Spell's) 2; T. Concannon (McDermott's) 4 J. Reilly (The Claypipe) 0; F. Duffy (Spell's) 4 B. McCormack (Flanagan's) 3. Semi-Finals: T. Concannon 5 J. Finn 4; D. Concannon 5 F. Duffy 0. Final: D. Concannon 6 T. Concannon 5.

Mick Egan captures Christmas Singles.
Mick Egan and Jimmy Reilly played out an outstanding Final to decide the 2008 Hannon's Hotel Christmas Singles in Roscommon on Sunday. But, Egan, who has darted over much of the country this year proved the stronger turning in a deserved 6-3 win. There were also a high number of big checkouts the highest a 154 from runner-up Reilly in his 4-3 win over Sean Finan in the First Round. Last year’s winner Gerry Murphy, departed at the last 16 stage to Padraig Kearney. And last week’s winner of the Tommy Kenny Cup, David Concannon, was beaten by Mick Egan in a high scoring last 16 match. Mick Egan and Sean Fleming fought out an exceptional Last 8 clash, which Egan won with a 109 checkout. Losing Semi Finalists were Padraig Kearney and Martin Fleming. While Kearney did pose some threat to Egan in the first semi, Fleming was no match for Reilly in the other. Egan took the first leg of the Final in 17 darts. Reilly replied in 20 and 18 darts to take the next two. The 18 darter finished with a 120 checkout. Legs four, five and six went to Egan in 16, 18, and 14 darts as he gained a 4-2 lead. Reilly responded to that with a 16 darter of his own to make it 4-3 but Egan edged closer to the finish line with a sloppier 23 dart leg. But in the 9th and deciding leg Egan came good with yet another classy leg, which he took in 15 darts. Scores of 60,81,100,and 140 set up a 120 checkout, which he completed to take the title.

Hannon's Hotel Christmas Singles Results.
Last 16 - M. Fleming 4 G. Concannon 1; J. Crawley 4 R. Dolan 0;M.Egan 4 D. Concannon 1; S. Fleming 4 D. Coffey 1;P.Carton 4 M. Costello 0;J.Reilly 4 T. Concannon 1;P.Kearney 4 G. Murphy 2; J. Finn 4 P. Byrne 2.

Last 8 - M. Fleming (Spell's) 4 J. Crawley (Creaton's) 0;M. Egan (Claypipe) 4 S. Fleming (Spell's) 3;J.Reilly (Claypipe) 4 P. Carton (Claypipe) 3; P. Kearney (Flanagan's) 4 J. Finn (Spell's) 3.

Semi-Finals - J. Reilly 5 M. Fleming 0; M. Egan 5 P. Kearney 2.

Final -M. Egan 6 J. Reilly 3.

Higher checkouts on the day were Jimmy Reilly 154,120, 115, 113, and 100. Mick Egan 120,109,101. Martin Fleming 112. .

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Martin Fleming