Darts News 7th-8th March 2000

HOME!!! Darts News, 7th March GUINAN AND MCGETTRICK IN SHOCK WITHDRAWAL As the build up to Darts 2000 reaches boiling point, darts stars Conor Guinan and Paul McGettrick have withdrawn from the tournament through injury. The two stars are among the slimmer members of the Darts community and have been forced to withdraw after doomed attempts to 'bulk up' for the tournament. McGettrick commnicated the news to press this morning. 'Having been faced with a very tough draw, I would have had to play Liam Sheridan and Pat Ryan to reach the quarter finals. As a result I placed myself on an extensive bulking up diet. Last night my throwing shoulder was aching from stuffing myself with burgers. I saw my doctor and he has advised me to come off the diet and withdraw from Darts 2000. I am bitterly disappointed, and would like to apologise to all my fans.' Guinan was equally inconsolable. 'I felt I let people down getting arrested prior to Darts 99 and wanted to silence my critics this year. I got a tough draw in the defending champion, but this was ideal for me to get back on to the big stage. I concentrated too much on stamina and units and not enough on throwing this year. Last night my ankle swelled up to the size of a football, probably from drink. I consulted my G.P Dr Dooley, and he advised me to withdraw from Darts 2000. I am gutted. The committee wish Paul and Conor a speedy recovery and hope to see them fit for the Darts 2001 festival. WILDCARDS ENTRIES TO REPLACE WITHDRAWALS The committee has announced that the places of the withdrawn stars Guinan and McGettrick will be taken by 'wildcard' entries. The wildcard entries will be granted to players who applied to compete in Darts 2000 but were placed on a reserve list. If a player who is drawn in the first round withdraws then they will not be replaced in the draw. As a result, Liam Sheridan will progress to the second round to play Pa Ryan. 'I am disappointed for Paul McGettrick as I was looking forward to the clash,' Liam told press, 'however I am delighted to progress in the tournament despite the unfortunate circumstances. If more players withdraw from the second round, the wildcards will be drawn to see which slots in the draw they fill. In the unlikely event of more wildcards than free slots in the second round draw, the fixtures involving withdrawees will be re-drawn with the wildcards and players from these fixtures in the hat so that no player progresses to the quarter finals without playing a match. REILLY DISMISSES HENRY'S DIRTY TRICKS ALLEGATIONS The Field Marshall lashed out today claims that a 'dirty tricks' campaign had been allegedly perpetrated by James Henry. Henry allegedly applied for his second round clash with Denis Reilly to be deferred to an evening start, claiming that this would suit both players, and supporters. On investigation, it was discovered that Reilly would be unable to play an evening fixture and had to get time off work to fulfill the fixture. Observers savaged Henry citing him for low and dirty tricks, but this has been dismissed by Reilly. 'James tried to get a fixture time that would suit both players and it is agreeable to both of us. I look forward to the evening clash with James.' JOHNSON AND DOHENY IN UGLY CLASHES Barney Johnson and Dave Doheny have been involved in a number of unseemly clashes in the white-hot build up to their eagerly anticpated first round clash. The ugly scenes occurred in the Temple Bar area, where the two men and rival sets of supporters clashed and had to be separated by concerned onlookers. Johnson who has tended to walk away from hostile situations before, is believed to have been provoked by Doheny, who is well known to possess a violent temper. Barry Conroy who witnessed the scenes said it was 'Serious stuff'. DARTS NEWS 8th MARCH MCGETTRICK AND GUINAN SNUB DARTS 2000 FOR FOREIGN TOURNAMENT - INJURY CLAIMS WERE A HOAX Conor Guinan and Paul McGettrick have snubbed Darts 2000 for a Dutch tournament. In a statement released by their press office it is revealed they have been lured to the continent for material gain. 'In a major development that will rock the darts world, it has been accounced that Conor 'Slow Hand' Guinan and Paul 'Zero Tolerance' McGettrick have opted to boycott the 'Darts 99' touranment in favour of a lesser known tornanment which will be held in Amsterdam. In a statement released today, their promotor Frank 'The plank' Worm said the financial offer recieved from the Dutch Federation was far too great to ignore. Guinan was reported to be very excited when he heard he would be involved in a 'pay per performance' deal that has seem to swing things in favour of an outing to Holland, while McGettrick was looking forward to hooking up with a few of the locals as he is something of a folk hero there. Both players are reported to be interested in a comeback on homesoil in next years 'Darts 2001' event'. The news has been greeted with a mixed reaction. Pat 'King of Darts' Kelly was reported to be saddened. 'Darts has never been about money for me. It's about playing great games against great players. The money is immaterial.' Neil 'Super Robot' Corcoran lashed the players' defections. 'I'm disgusted. The darts event is a major statement against fascism and not about making a cheap capitalistic buck.' However Guinan and McGettrick's actions have beed defended by Vince Meyler. 'If the lads can get some money for playing Darts good luck to them. I wish someone would pay money to see me play.' 'It reeks of soft tips if you ask me,' said 1997 King of Darts Tom Henry. REILLY TO LOWER TONE FOR HENRY CLASH The Field Marshall Denis Reilly is aiming to upset James Henry in their plum second round match by 'lowering the tone'. 'I aim to lower the tone by introducing a flaggin of cider to the arena,' the Field Marshall told darts news. 'By lowering the tone opponents will find it difficult to playing down at my level.' James Henry hit back, 'If Reilly thinks that will bother me he's mistaken. I will have fifteen cans of Druids celtic cider which will match any amount of flaggins Reilly brings for sheer power.' With the evening start to this match, it looks like it could be one of the most drink fuelled clashes for years. DOLAN LASHES CATERING FACILITIES Paul Dolan launched a blistering attack on the darts 2000 venue claiming it has put no effort into providing for the players' catering requirements. Dolan told darts news 'jaysus. There's a load of games before Al and I get to the oche. At least two first round games and five second round games before we get to dart. We'll be starving! You'ld think they'd have something laid on, sausages, chicken breasts, burgers or something. Jaysus we'll need food - starving, no chips - dogshite.' The committee rejected Dolan's criticisms. 'The venue is located close to excellent restaurants and catering facilities. No player has ever gone hungry in any year of Trimleston darts.' IN BRIEF MATTHEWS RELISHING CONROY CLASH Digger Matthews says the clash with Barry Conroy will be 'a game to remember in everyone's minds'. SHERIDAN DELIGHT AT BYE Liam Sheridan was reported to be delighted at receiving his first round bye. STYLES IN INTENSIVE PRACTICE Jimmy Styles has taken a week off work to prepare for Darts 2000. Experts still reject claims he has any chance. ODDS Pat Kelly 5/2 3/1 2/1 15/8 F John Joyce 5/1 9/4 2/1 Colm Lynch 50/1 16/1 6/1 Pat Ryan 10/1 8/1 7/1 Al Heaney 8/1 5/1 13/2 Denis Reilly 7/1 9/1 Dave Doheny 6/1 12/1 Paul Dolan 12/1 10/1 12/1 Barry Conroy 25/1 16/1 Barney Johnson 33/1 16/1 James Henry 16/1 25/1 20/1 Gary Corcoran 20/1 40/1 33/1 25/1 20/1 Digger Matthews 25/1 33/1 Liam Sheridan 40/1 33/1 Dan Grennan (wildcard) 40/1 Oates (wildcard) 40/1 Superobot 50/1 20/1 25/1 50/1 Vince Meyler 150/1 66/1 Jimmy Styles 80/1 100/1 150/1 80/1 EXPERT PREDICTIONS We asked a panel of experts for their predictions for their opinions on who will win the Darts 2000 competition. Here follows their views TOM HENRY (Inaugaral 1997 King of Darts) 'I think Darts 2000 will be won by Denis Reilly. He has a good pedigree, is a fine athlete and possesses the sort of mental toughness required to win Darts 2000' DAVE HEANEY (talented tournament withdrawee and coach to Colm Lynch) 'Although I have been impressed by John Joyce and Pat Kelly, I tink dat Colm Lynch will win Darts 2000. He has been going well this year and I tink he has what it takes.' GARY CORCORAN (Tournament organiser) 'I think if Dave Doheny gets past his first round clash with Johnson, he could go all the way. This sort of event suits his style. Pat Kelly will take some beating though. And Joyce' AL HEANEY (Darts 98 Runner-up) 'Bedddy bud debebeddy ibbbi a-dib-dib. Budabuvadoo eddy pukpuk..................... Buh!' BARNEY JOHNSON (Limerick hardman) 'I'm not fully sure but I can tell the public I'll be sending Dave Doheny home embarrassed.' JOHNNY 'THE CAT' HEANEY (1998 King of Darts) 'It will be a tight one. I wouldn't look much further than the Ringsend pair of Joyce and Kelly with Kelly getting my vote.' JIMMY STYLES (Housewives' favourite) 'I am certain that this year will be Conor Guinan's year. He is the most naturally gifted player on the circuit and has been in great form this year. I think the draw suits him and once he's motoring there will be no stopping him. Pulled out? Did he? When? Jaysus!' PA RYAN (Talented showman) 'Well it won't be Dave or Barry anyways - gobshites!' DIGGER MATTHEWS (JCB driver) 'Lads, lads, lads. You're looking at darts in too narrow a context. I mean it's more than some lads playing games and at the end of the day you have a winner. And I know this.' COLM LYNCH (Victim of assault in darts 99) 'Jaysus, it will be very close. At the end of the day it will be great value for money to play in the tournament. Three pound entry fee?! Three pounds! Shove it up your hole yez pricks!!' JAMES HENRY (Cad) 'Alan Heaney can be the most explosive player on the circuit. He has skill, steel and can hit doubles better than any man. On the other hand he's a bottling flop - Ahhh haaaa haaa haaa!'