Darts 98 report

HOME!!! This is a retrospective report on the 1998 darts competition, held on March 29th 1998. FIRST ROUND John Heaney 2 - 1 Tom Henry The defending champ was unceremoniously dumped out by the newcomer. There were allegations after that Heaney had used intimidation tactics and 'sledging' while Henry played but there were no complaints after as there was no matching 'the Cat's' brilliant play. A great game to start the tournament. James Henry 2 - 0 Gary Corcoran Henry played some brilliant darts but Corcoran was woefully inept in a game to forget. Conor Guinan 2 - 1 Steve Steamer Guinan controlled this match well and advanced dispite some sustained pressure and hairy moments from the plucky Steamer. Paul McGettrick 2 - 0 Paul Mullen McGettrick put a cool run of scores together beating the unimpressive Mullen. A poor game overall. Vince Meyler 2 - 0 Brian Murphy Another dull encounter which saw Murphy hopelessly out of his depth. QUARTER FINALS Karl Heaney 2 - 1 Jimmy Styles The best game of the tournament to date saw both players in brilliant form. It was only a pity there had to be a loser. Styles improved greatly from his miserable display last year and Karl laid down his credentials as a genuine championship contender. Alan Heaney 2 - 0 James Henry Heaney was fresh against a miserable Henry who had lost all his first round skills. Another dreadful exit for James Henry. John Heaney 2 - 1 Vince Meyler A sluggish encounter but the Cat came up good with the checkouts to deny a impressive Meyler performance . Paul McGettrick 2 - 1 Conor Guinan McGettrick improved again and rose his game above a shaky Guinan. SEMI FINALS John Heaney 2 - 1 Karl Heaney Karl could not cope with the Cat's power darts and brilliant high scoring and checkouts. A superb performance from the Cat saw him cast in a new role as an unlikely finalist. Alan Heaney 2 - 1 Paul McGettrick Despite a brave effort from McGettrick, there was no stoppping 'Mad' Al on this form and he reached the final as widely forecast. McGettrick consistently kept close to Al but it was the brilliant checkouts which made the difference. FINAL John Heaney 3 - 2 Alan Heaney John Heaney ground out Al in a thrilling encounter. Al played brilliantly in only two legs of the five and the Cat was solid and powerful throughout to nab a famous tournament victory.