EAMONS PIANO BAR TOURNAMENT - BLACKLION CO. CAVAN

One of the most competitive pub tournaments in the country. Where the serious dart player and the local can battle it out side by side.

Well established now on the darting calendar. If you have not yet been up for Eamons you don't know what you are missing.

My advice is get your mates together and load up the car. For the next eight monday nights a place each night is up for grabs for the grand final played three days before st patricks day.

Any more details needed contact me via pm.

Eamons piano is in Blacklion , Co.Cavan just across the border from Belcoo , Co.Fermanagh.

Average numbers for last years competition were 48 each night so come early to get settled in.

See you there.

By the way - 5/6 boards each night (numbers permitting) so plenty of warmup opportunities.

Aodhagen O'Neill was the qualifier from the opening night of action packed darts in Eamons Piano bar tournament. 49 entrants despite a number of other darting events taking place on the same night in and around the locality. Early casualties included defending champion Brendan Dolan who lost in round one to a fellow finalist from last year , Noel Reilly. Michael Timoney was another who departed early along with Felix "The Cat" McBrierty. Quarter Finals saw Aodhagen O'Neill beating JJ Dolan. Gordon Burleigh getting the better of Shane O'Neill. Colin Maxwell overcoming Noel Reilly and Campbell Jackson defeating Eamon McGovern. Both Semi Finals saw 3-0 wins for Campbell Jackson over Colin Maxwell and for Aodhagen O'Neill over Gordon Burleigh.... one observer noted that it could be an "ominous" sign when O'Neill was "scolding himself" for hitting a few 123's !. In the Final O'Neill went 2-0 up with a bull d16 finish. Jackson responded with some trademark shots 140 180 140 s9 d16 for an 11 darter response , however with o neill on 62 , Jackson (on 308) hit t20 t20 and saw the third effort fall from the t20 before O'Neill hit s6 s16 d20 for his place in the final night, and a fine response against the same opponent who defeated him 4-0 on finals night last season.


The sad news of the death of 2009 finalist Bob "x" Alexander cast a poignant shadow over the night, and tributes and condolences to his family were conveyed by the players and staff to whom Bob was a familiar friendly face for manys a year. RIP.

Funeral Details for Robert (Bob X) Alexander:

Robert Alexander,Silverhill, Ballisodare. Funeral service at 11am on Tuesday 18th in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Ballisodare, followed by cremation in Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold's Cross, Dublin at 3.30pm.

Irish international player Sean McGowan was the qualifier on the third night of Eamons Piano bar tournament where a record 59 players took to the oche on a windy night on the last day of January to hunt for a place on finals night. A few new faces and some very familiar ones took part with the quarter finals seeing wins for Seamus Gormley over Noel Reilly. Sean mcGowan defeating Raymond Murray. Campbell Jackson Getting the better of Eamon McGovern who hit 3 180's in the match and still was defeated ... And local player Richard Reid overcoming Michael Timoney who was unlucky not to take out a 170 finish, landing his attempt at the bull in the 25. In a battle of experienced veterans Sean McGowan saw off Gormley in the semi final, whilst Campbell Jackson got the better of Richard Reid. The final itself went the distance. Jackson taking the lead with a double 8 that he had to move inches across the oche to hit. McGowan responding in style with a 90 finish on the bull. Jackson took a nervy third where both players missed 6 darts at a double. McGowan forcing the decider with a steady 18 dart leg, and after some power scoring including a fine 177, it was McGowan who took the game on d2 to seal another final night appearance. Plenty of Newcomers impressed on the night , with one to watch out for being Padgraig Clinton from Longford.

As the action begins to hot up, and if you have not experienced it before, why not give Eamons a try, you could be in line for a big payday if you can mix it here. All welcome

thanks al. Its a great tournament. Feel free to pass this on......

Having reached two out of three previous weeks finals, Campbell Jackson finally Claimed his place in finals night after a tension packed night of Darts at the Piano Bar, where 44 players took to the oche. In his quarter final he defeated Local player Paul Maguire to set up a semi final with Christie Fisher who had booked that place by defeating Gordon Burleigh. On the other side of the draw, 2009 finalist Colin Maxwell was in form and hit 5 140's to dispose of Paul Duffy in Round one. He got the better of Raymond Mulvey in the quarter final where he would square up with John Joe Dolan. JJ overcoming Eamon McGovern who again threw some amazing darts and failed to reach the decider.
The Semi Finals saw Jackson reaching his third decider by beating Fisher and John Joe Dolan ending Maxwells hope for the week.
Campbell was straight out of the traps, taking the first leg of the final before JJ's staged a great recovery to draw level and then lead 2-1. With Dolan setting up a d20 for victory it was Jackson who was on the comeback trail now and he forced the decider with an ice cool 64 shot (t16 d8, 2 darts). The last leg was pure nerves and Jackson was well ahead, hitting 142 to leave d16, Dolan adrift. Three more darts from jackson left a d8, Dolan chipping away at the lead with a ton, three more went begging, D4 left for Jackson on return. JJ leaving d20 with another vital ton, before Jackson's 8th dart of the finish just nestled into the d4 bed for a 3-2 victory. On the evidence of tonight however, it should not be too long before John Joe should seal a final place.

The highest checkout can now only be equalled as last monday night saw John Joe Dolan take out a 170 finish against his brother Michael in one of the earlier rounds.

4 heats now remaining

Irvinestowns Eamon McGovern produced some brilliant darts at the right time to seal a final birth for the second year running on another well attended night at Eamons Piano bar where 57 players took to the oche on the night. Many familiar faces again featured in the quarter final line up with Colin Maxwell winning 3-0 over Denise Cassidy. Michael Timoney ousting Noel Gileece on his first appearance of the season here 3-1, John Joe Dolan eventually running out a 3-1 winner over James Deery and Eamon McGovern in the tightest of the quarter finals coming back from 2-1 down to dash Noel Reilly's hopes for the week 3-2, with a 180 and a 140 in his last leg of 15 darts. In the semis Eamon was on song from the start and took the first two legs against John Joe. Despite John Joe getting on the board with a d16 it was McGovern who progressed 3-1. The other semi final went the full distance with Michael Timoney 2-0 up on Colin Maxwell, the Tyrone man forged his way back into contention to level up after both players had missed doubles in the 4th leg. A match winning 16 dart leg saw Timoney home again for his second final appearance of the competition. As has been the norm in finals this season this one looked close on paper and it went to a deciding leg, with McGovern holding the lead twice but getting pegged back twice by the persistent Timoney. The 4th leg was won with a bit in hand by Michael, with Eamon throwing a few erratic darts, and the clever money was now on the man from Belleek, but just at the correct moment, McGovern started the decider with a 140 140 81 to leave 140. With michael adrift, McGovern hit his 6th and 7th treble 20 of the leg narrowly missing d10 for a 12 darter to go out in style and he could afford the luxury of bursting d10 in the next throw with michael unable to make an impact in the leg to end up finishing the match in 17 darts on d5 and confirm a final night place. With two weeks left to go both Michael Timoney and John Joe Dolan must have strong claims for a final birth but we will wait and see.

Interesting to note the qualifiers for this years final as compared to last years.

In order 2010 heats went as follows:


Winner Runner Up Entries
1. Eamon McGovern Aodhagen O Neill 52
2. Aodhagen O'Neill John Joe Dolan 54
3. Sean McGowan Mickey Mansell 52
4. Noel Reilly Richard McDermott 46
5. Brendan Dolan Michael Mansell 49
6. John Joe Dolan Michael Timoney 46
7. Richard Reid Campbell Jackson 45
8. Campbell Jackson Michael Timoney 49

Average attendance 49 each night.

2011
Week Winner Runner Up Entries

1. Aodhagen O'Neill Campbell Jackson 49
2. Brendan Dolan Michael Timoney 46
3. Sean McGowan Campbell Jackson 59
4. Campbell Jackson John Joe Dolan 44
5. Raymond Mulvey Denise Cassidy 48
6. Eamon McGovern Michael Timoney 57
7. Richard Reid Mickey Mansell 50

Average attendance each week (after 7 heats) 50

Mickey Mansell went one better than last week and took the final spot in The 2011 Eamons Piano Bar Tournament Final after a sensational display of darts at the Co.Cavan Venue. In an early round Mansell faced Gordon Burleigh , a regular quarter/ semi finalist in the competition and hit six perfect darts to open the leg. He then followed this up with 7 perfect darts in the next leg, the closest anyone this season has been to the 9 dart finish in the tournament. In the Quarter finals Mansell had too much power for Colin Brady. Noel Gileece defeated William Burleigh. James Deery defeated Donegal man Declan Cunningham, and Christie Fisher beat Jim Casey. In the Semis Mansell beat Noel Gileece 3-0, the Boho player reaching a quarter Final and a semi final in his two appearances in the tournament, which should stand him in good stead for the upcoming BD open , held in that area. And James Deery overcame Christie Fisher. In the Final there was more magic from Mansell as he kicked off with a 12 dart leg. He then backed this up with a 14 darter which forced Deery into a reply to take a leg with the throw to make it 2-1. Mansell was however not to be denied and he took the match in 16 darts for a 42 dart 3-1 victory and a place in the decider next monday night. 51 players took part in the last event and to those who did not make it hard luck, your time will come.

The Final line up for the 2011 Eamons piano Bar has been decided.

The Following players will take to the oche next monday night (14th March)in search of the €1,000 first prize.

Aodhagen O'Neill - Co.Cavan
Brendan Dolan - Belcoo, Co.Fermanagh
Sean McGowan - Co.Sligo
Campbell Jackson - Strabane , Co. Tyrone
Raymond Mulvey - Co.Leitrim
Eamon McGovern -Irvinestown , Co.Fermanagh
Richard Reid -Enniskillen , Co.Fermanagh
Mickey Mansell - Clonoe, Co.Tyrone.

Action starting at 9.30

Matches shown on screen in the lounge. All welcome. Should be a cracking nights entertainment.

Mickey Mansell from Clonoe , Co.Tyrone became the Eamons Piano bar memorial Tournament Champion for 2011 after a brilliant display of Darts at the Co.Cavan Venue on Monday 14th March.

The Lefthander overcame the challenge of Sean McGowan and Fellow Tyrone player , Campbell Jackson to defeat Irvinestown's Eamon McGovern 6-2 in the final and become the fifth different winner of the tournament to put his name on the trophy alongside the likes of Irish Legend Tom Kirby , Joe Byrne , Aodhagen O' Neill and Brendan Dolan.

Quarter Finals

Raymond Mulvey 4 - 3 Aodhagen O'Neill

Raymond Mulvey produced the first shock of the night defeating the experienced O'Neil , and coming back from 3-1 to snatch a place in the final.The key leg here being the sixth in which both players missed 6 darts at a double before Raymond forced the decider on double 1 . The Young player from Co.Leitrim then forged his way ahead in the decider before hitting a double 10 to put him in his first ever semi final in the tournament.

Eamon McGovern 4 - 2 Richard Reid

These two met at the same stage last year with Reid winning a tight battle. Eamon gained a measure of compensation here by taking the last two legs after the first four were shared evenly to progress to the semi final and a meeting with Raymond Mulvey, with the Fermanagh man hoping to improve on his record here having lost two grand finals.

Campbell Jackson 4 - 2 Brendan Dolan

The Strabane thrower was another man who reversed 2010 form as he defeated Dolan who beat him in last years final, and the first few legs saw no messing around. Dolan going 1-0 up after a 14 dart leg, Jackson drawing level, before Dolan took the third in 15 darts with a 102 checkout, jackson sitting on a cosy one darter. Then the Tyrone thrower took advantage of some missed Doubles by Brendan to take the next two legs and go ahead 3-2. He took the last on Double 16 to advance to the Semi Final and condemn Dolan to a rare Quarter Final defeat on finals night.


Mickey Mansell 4 - 3 Sean McGowan

The last Quarter final of the night was the most dramatic and went the distance with Sean McGowan going ahead with throw before Mansell laid down a marker for the night with a thirteen dart leg to level up. He then took the third in 16 darts before Mc Gowan took the fourth against the head in 17 to level things up again. Mansell showed his battling qualities in the fifth leg to again break the throw and go 3-2 up with the advantage of throw next to win, however McGowan produced his best of the night with a fourteen dart leg (the last five darts being t20 t20 t20 - 180 followed by t20 td18 - 96) to force the decider. Mansell then managed to trump that effort by kicking off the decider with 3 140's , before hitting a 40 and taking out the remaining 41 in 2 darts to post a 15 dart leg and plot a route to the Semi Final and a meeting with Fellow County man Jackson.


SEMI FINALS

Eamon McGovern 5 - 3 Raymond Mulvey

(0-1 1-1 1-2 2-2 2-3 3-3 4-3 5-3)

A very close contest with each player holding throw until the seventh leg of the match. The break was always going to be vital and it was for Eamon McGovern as he took it with an 84 checkout in 15 darts, and it would prove to be a match winning one as he took the last leg to end the brave effort of Raymond Mulvey, a player who has matured well in this tournament and one who will have to be watched out for in the future.

3 dart Averages Eamon McGovern 77.84 Raymond Mulvey 76.40

Mickey Mansell 5 - 4 Campbell Jackson

(1-0 1-1 2-1 2-2 3-2 3-3 3-4 4-4 5-4)

A brilliant semi final with Mickey Mansell who looked in control on his throw managing to take the last two legs of the match to deny Campbell Jackson a second Final appearance after he had broke Mansell in almost identical style to Eamon McGovern in the first semi final , in the seventh leg. A maximum in that seventh Leg saw Jackson take it in 14 darts with a 101 checkout. Mansell produced another great leg on the night with 2x 140's and a 100 to set himself up to a 13 darter to force the decider. Mansell's 3 dart average at this point was over 92. The deciding leg was probably the most nervous of the match , but with place in the final at stake it was Mansell who came through on a 5-4 score-line to progress to the final.

3 dart averages Mickey Mansell 87.54 Campbell Jackson 83.79


GRAND FINAL 2011

Mickey Mansell 6 - 2 Eamon McGovern

(0-1 1-1 1-2 2-2 3-2 4-2 5-2 6-2 )


Mickey Mansell took the Title to cap a brilliant night of darts after defeating Eamon McGovern in the Grand Final. McGovern was to start the final in sparkling form and he burst out of the traps early. Well in amongst the treble 20 he took the first leg. Mansell leveled up, before a 14 dart leg from Eamon saw him go 2-1 up. At this stage Eamon was averaging almost 87.63 per 3 darts with Mickey sitting well back on 65.92. It was at this point that Mickey started to show the form that took him so imperiously to the final last week. and he soon managed to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead in 44 darts. During this period he managed to boost his average up to almost 87 some 22 points higher than after the third leg. As he turned the heat up on Eamon, The Irvinestown thrower tried in vain to stop the rot . Hitting 2 140's in the seventh leg, However Mansell was matching him dart for dart and soon he was throwing for the match. He duly obliged in 15 darts to end with an average of 82.21 , Eamon finishing with an 81.44 average. But the title for the first time was to go to Co.Tyrone and a very deserving champion - Mickey Mansell.


Congratulations To James McGrath and Co. for another great tournament . This year saw a record entry of 59 on one night and an average of 51 players on average attended each night. For every budding player out there across the country this has got to be a must for your diary for 2012.

Pictures to follow. Thanks to The Winmau Pub darts app on the iphone for the semi final and the final averages.

Thank you very much. With all good comps the people make it and there is a great mix here. Enough good players from round the counties to satisfy the purists, mixed in with locals and supporters who love the game. Roll on 2012.