Hosts INF lift first trophy of season

With all cup formats being nine man teams with each player playing one leg of 501 there was no room for mistakes.

The evening got off to a slightly disappointing start with two of the favourites Celtic and Drumgor clashing in the preliminary round but both teams were missing key players and it was finally Celtic who were to progress in a last leg decider with M. Haddock beating Dee McCready.

In the first round proper hosts INF got the better of Clann Eireann for the second time in as many weeks winning with a 5-2 scoreline and they were joined in the semi-finals by The Stables who beat The Railway 5-2. Celtic, who only had 7 players, were still too strong for the Trojans winning 5 of the 6 games played to record a 5-3 win. In the best match of the first round it was Eire Og who came through a last leg decider against the Premier with Hugh Heaney hitting his double but only after Mo Campbell had missed three darts to win it for the Premier.

In the first Semi Final it was Celtic against The Stables and again it went all the way. Dee Breen, Adrian Hutchinson and Dessie Dunbar all had excellent wins for Celtic with Paul White and Shane Tallon who hit a superb 119 checkout standing out for the Stables.

In the second semi-final it was INF against Eire Og and it was Eire Og who took an early lead with wins from Noel Dunwoodie and Mark McLernon but wins for Seamy Tallon, Vincey Culbert Jr, Stevie McConnon, Marty Crossan and Andy McConnon ensured the hosts would take part in the final for the first time in a number of years.

The Celtic club who had defied all the odds knew they would have it all to do and would have to win 5 of the 7 matches played. But it was the INF who started fastest with Marty Murray hitting a 21 darter in beating Anto Crewe and when Seamy Tallon beat Dee Breen the INF were firmly in control. The Celtic fought back with wins for Adrian Hutchinson over Vincey Culbert Jr and Dessie Dunbar over Lee Culbert to make it 4-2 but it was Terry Morrow who claimed the win and the trophy for the INF with victory over M. Haddock much to the home teams delight.

Congratulations to the following players who will be representing Area 11 in this years county team for 2012/13: Shane Lennon, Seamus Tallon, Mick Millar, Chris Cinnimond, Paul White, Mark McLernon, Adrian Hutchinson, Noel Dunwoodie, Dee Blaney, Terry Morrow, Marty Murray, Dave McCusker, John Cinnimond, Gareth Bunting, Stevie Duff, Mickey Dunwoodie. Reserves: Sam Frazer, Eamon Duff and Mickey Campbell.