| Darts 2000 report |
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HOME!!! Darts 2000, March 11th 2000 The pre-tournament decision to do the draw before the event was controversial, as if there were any withdrawees or late entrants the event could be thrown into chaos. As it turned out, there were five withdrawees who unfortunately had to pull out, however their places were filled by two late entrants. The existing fixtures were fulfilled, however the remainder of the round was drawn again. FIRST ROUND DOHENY STUNS JOHNSON IN BITTER GRUDGE MATCH Dave Doheny 2 Barney Johnson 0 The Doheny v Johnson clash was the grudge match of the round and a perfect opening fixture. Johnson moved ahead in the first leg as Doheny initially struggled to cope with the pressure of Trimleston Darts. However Johnson struggled to check out and the first leg went to a shoutout, which Doheny took. The second leg was all Doheny's as Johnson self destructed and earned the ignomious title of 'first man out'. Doheny was pleased with the win on his debut but Johnson was inconsolable after defeat to a bitter rival two years running. SUPER ROBOT SHOCKS HARDMAN LYNCH Neil Corcoran 2 Colm Lynch 1 Lynch, one of the on-form pre-tournament favourites eased in front in the first leg against the outsider. 'Super Robot' had prepared for the tournament by studiously devising a statistical analysis of the game and deducing that aiming for the 14 gave the best possible percentages for a player of his ability. In the second leg his studies came to fruitition as the treble 14 took a hammering and he finished ahead of Lynch. At the end of a thrilling third leg it was Corcoran who snatched the double to shock the Cavan hardman. Lynch was stunned in the aftermath and admitted he had played a little below par but wanted to detract nothing from Corcoran's victory. Super Robot was delighted and claimed he was vindicated. JOYCE CLINCHES JECKYLL AND HYDE SHOCKER John Joyce 2 Gary Corcoran 1 A surreal tie as Corcoran against all odds destroyed Joyce in the first leg with an amazing 22 dart checkout. Joyce ground out the thrilling second leg despite missing the board one in every six darts throughout the tie, and had too much in reserve in the third. Joyce was pleased with his victory but concerned about how close it was. Corcoran was reported after to been disappointed at his inconsistent form and paid tribute to John, 'a very hard player to beat'. IMPRESSIVE DOLAN BLITZES WOEFUL STYLES Paul Dolan 2 Jimmy Styles 0 The cheers echoed about the arena for the return to darts of Jimmy Styles. Unfortunately he was left with little to cheer about as he was obliterated by the new kid on the block, Paul Dolan. Dolan was derided by sections of the crowd for his unorthodox attire of wearing a big woolly aran sweater. It proved no hindrance however as he posted a series of fine scores and a Trimleston darts record checkout of 88. CHAMP PROGRESSES AFTER TOUGH ENCOUNTER Pat Kelly 2 Dan Grennan 0 The reigning champion had little to spare in an uncomfortable encounter with wildcard entrant Dan Grennan. Grennan, who had only taken up the sport two weeks ago left Kelly with little to spare, and laid down good foundations for a promising future. However it was Kelly's finishing ability that was different and Kelly became the first reigning champion to get past the first round. CONROY EMERGES FROM FOG OF CONFUSION Barry Conroy 2 Digger Matthews 1 The game was delayed as Digger was held up on the way to the arena. The men played out a tense and stodgy affair with Digger taking the first despite a below par performance. Digger upped his game in the second but was unable to finish off Conroy who came in and snatched it on a shootout. A controversial moment arose in the third with Digger mixing his sums up and celebrating in the belief he had checked out, however he had burst. The stage was left for Conroy who played poorly but beat Digger who was devastated and kept a low profile for the remainder of the event. HANRATTY LIGHTS UP ARENA DESPITE DEFEAT Pa Ryan 2 Dick Hanratty 0 Ryan always had too much in store against the cavalier crowd pleaser Hanratty, who was drafted in at the last minute and left the tournament with a memorable display of entertainment. Never under any threat, Ryan finished off the game without moving into second gear. FIELD MARSHALL CRUSHES WOEFUL HENRY Denis Reilly 2 James Henry 0 Henry's much hyped comeback was a major flop as he had nothing in response to the Field Marshall who threw impressive darts and controlled the legs easily. Henry was dishevelled and incoherent in his darts play while Reilly was composed and accurate. A no contest. QUARTER FINALS RYAN RUES MISSED CHANCES John Joyce 2 Pa Ryan 1 Ryan had plenty of chances to finish off Joyce but was tripping up on the doubles while Joyce's rocky form continued. Ryan took the first before Joyce got going, and was stammering on a double three in the second leg before Joyce equalised. John Joyce, despite still missing frequently enhanced his reputation as one of the hardest men in the circuit to beat as he ground out the third leaving Ryan bitterly disappointed to lose a game he should have won. DOLAN POWERS ON Paul Dolan 2 Barry Conroy 0 Conroy had his moments in this clash including a 125 and a 0 three darts later to roars of approval from the crowd. However Dolan was never really troubled and eased into the semis. DOHENY DETHRONES CHAMP IN CLASSIC Dave Doheny 2 Pat Kelly 0 A classic was served by Doheny and Kelly as the two men were given a roaring ovation by the crowd at the end in tribute to their brilliance. Kelly did not play badly but had no answer to Doheny who was in the best form of his career. In the first leg Doheny finished quickly after setting a record Trimleston Darts score of 150 with a treble and double twenty and a bull. A thrilling finale to the second saw both men missing the doubles by inches before Doheny roared into the semis. Pat Kelly relinquished his title and was reported to be gutted and inconsolable at not having retained his crown. NO ANSWER FROM MARSHALL FOR SUPER ROBOT ONSLAUGHT Neil Corcoran 2 Denis Reilly 1 Another thriller. Reilly was ahead for much of the first leg but a salvo of treble 14s allowed Super Robot ahead to finish. Reilly was more clinical in the second leg and set up a thrilling finale for the third. However Super Robot with a glut of treble 14s edged out the Field Marshall who also gave a clinical display of darting, and will be a real force in 2001. SEMI FINALS IRON MAN JOYCE PIPS DOHENY John Joyce 2 Dave Doheny 1 The tensest atmosphere in the arena for years saw Joyce roll on despite not hitting top form. Doheny deservedly took the first leg and was on course for the second before he was denied by a magnificent 67 checkout by Joyce. The tension mounted in the third with so much at stake, but again Doheny was unable to finish off Joyce who sneaked through. Doheny, a real contender for 2001 but Joyce was the contender of the day. DOLAN ON ANOTHER LEVEL Paul Dolan 2 Neil Corcoran 0 A novel derby match between the two Ferbane men but Dolan in his big jumper had no difficulty in brushing aside Super Robot who's mathematical theory fell apart when faced with being outscored. A ruthlessly efficient victory for Dolan. FINAL DOLAN CROWNED KING OF DARTS Paul Dolan 3 John Joyce 0 John Joyce's failure to raise his game as the tournament progressed left the final a largely one-sided encounter. Joyce steamed ahead in the first with Dolan showing some signs of nerves, however a strong finish by Dolan set him up to checkout first. The second and third legs were all Dolan with John still showing signs of trouble with his second darts. Dolan never let up and clinically tied up the game, and the tournament. A worthy king of darts, the best of the tournament, and arguably of any tournament. |