| Darts 2005 News Updates Archive |
HOME!!! SUPER ROBOT RETURN LOOKING IMMINENT Excitement gathered in recent hours as one of the biggest darts stories of recent years broke with the confirmation that the 2001 King of Darts Neil Corcoran will be in Ireland for the weekend of the darts 2005 event. It is not confirmed that Corcoran will compete in Darts 2005, but insiders expect that "Super Robot" will return to the game after just one year out. Darts News has learnt that Corcoran has purchased airline tickets to fly to Dublin to arrive on the eve of the 05 event. This has led to the to speculation he would be ending his premature retirement from darts. Sources close to "Super Robot" are remaining tight lipped regarding his availibility for the event, but an announcement is expected within the coming days. NO WORD ON FAY RETURN The reigning King Of Darts, Brendan Fay, is expected back from his tour of Asia within days, in time for the defence of his darts title. Fay, who set off at the end of 2004 for a two month tour of South East Asia, is due to arrive back in Dublin by the end of the week. However Denis "The Field Marshall" Reilly (who Fay destroyed en route to claiming his 2005 darts crown) conceded "we've no idea when he's back. No one is in contact with him. But he should be back soon". HENRY BROTHERS CONFIRMED FOR DARTS 2005 Contrasting with the ongoing Super Robot speculation, Tom and James Henry have both confirmed their availibility for Darts 2005. Tom Henry speaking to press while on a training camp in Hamburg, Germany said, "I will definitely be lining up on the oche at Walsh Road for darts 2005". This news is a massive boost for the event and great news for Henry's legion of fans. And despite his weak form in recent years, Henry outlined his intentions entering the competition "I go to win, I play to win! I cannot set my heights higher! I hope my fans can see the real Tom Henry and I hope to see my real fans!" which delighted the packed auditorium of Germans. By contrast, James Henry gave a low key announcement at a hastily convened press conference in Molloys bar, Dublin. James Henry, who has just returned from a week's altitude training in the Pyrenees told press "I'll be on the oche for darts 2005 and I look forward to it. Hopefully I can give a good account of myself. It gets tougher every year, I hope I'm ready for the challenge" HALL CONFIRMS FOR DARTS 2005/TWO DARTS DOUBT Highly rated Gregor Hall has confirmed his entry into Darts 2005. Hall the popular Scot, who has only ever lost to Colm Mad Dog O'Donnell released a statement confirming his entry and wishing all other entrants the best of luck. However doubts remain over Hall's former stable mate Sean "Two darts" Laphen's availibilty. Laphen has recently relocated to Luxembourg and it is not known whether he will be back for the event. CONROY ENTERS DARTS 2005 World number 9 Barry Conroy has confirmed his availibility for darts 2005. Conroy, who like Denis Reilly and Barney Johnson will enjoy home advantage, is keen to improve on his dismal 2004 showing but remains tight lipped regarding his preparation for this season. MARSHALL RAISES UNITS FEAR World number 1 Denis Reilly, the 2002 King of Darts has warned competitors to be aware of the licensing regulations for March 25th, Good Friday to avoid a units shortage. Reilly briefed The Committee saying "i don't know what the story is with the keg, i'm going to give Dick a shout, to see what the story is, with the keg". The Committee is hoping that the keg situation is resolved but advises entrants and fans to make contingency plans beforehand as the sale of alcohol is not permitted on Good Friday. MALABAR BRYAN BACK FOR DARTS 2005 Ciaran "The Bear" "Malabar" Bryan has confirmed his entry in Darts 2005 from his training camp in Reading, Berkshire, England. Bryan, who missed the 2004 event has confirmed he will compete on March 25th and a source says he is in great physical shape. "I've never seen him look as sharp," said the source "he has the strength of a buffalo, combined with the speed of a gazelle, and the steely poise of a hawk. We saw him warm up with a few arrows in the gym in the Madjewski, and I have to tell you, his performance was frightening." While Bryan's 2005 build up may be reportedly in good shape, detractors are keen to point out his flops in the 2001 and 2003 tournaments, when he lost comically to Johnny "the fugitive" Walsh and was destroyed by the Field Marshall, respectively. However a trend has emerged that seasoned Darts aficionados will point to shows that the last three events were won by men who took a year out the year before their darts triumph. Denis Reilly missed Darts 2001 before coming back to brilliantly win in 2002. Colm Mad Dog O'Donnell did not compete in 2002 but defeated Reilly in a classic 2003 final. While last year's champ Brendan Fay returned to 2004 glory after being absent for the 2003 event. Will Malabar be able to apply himself to this trend?? CAT DOUBT FOR DARTS 2005 Doubts have arisen over the participation of John "The Cat" Heaney in Darts 2005. Heaney, the 1998 champ was contacted by a Committee member last week to inform him of the event. Heaney published a statement shortly afterwards stating that the event was a bit close to his exams but he wished all the best to players for the event. Heaney is currently studying law and is preparing for upcoming exams. The Committee are said to be still hopeful John could compete in Darts 2005 by accomodating him in a later slot. However Darts News will confirm any updates a few days after they happen. HIGH PRIEST OUTLINES POSSIBLE RETURN Conor "the high priest" Guinan has contacted the Committee with view to a possible return to the darts scene for the Darts 2005 event. Guinan, a veteran of the inaugaral darts event in 1997 has been in and out of the fold in recent years, but did return for the Darts 2003 tournament in Walsh Road. However, due to pantomine commitments he was unavailable for Darts 2004 but has stated his intention to compete in Darts 2005. "I hope to be there alright. I still plan to get that Dolan bolllix back for not buying them drums", commented Guinan. GIANT RUSSIAN SEMIKHATOV CONFIRMS FOR DARTS 2005 The line up for Darts 2005 is starting to fill up with the announcement through a source that Sergeui Semikhatov would be available for Darts 2005. Doubts existed over whether Semikhatov would return to the darts fold, following his acrimonious and public break up of his business partnership with Barry Conroy. Semikhatov was thought to be seething over the level and severity of taunting he has had to endure from Barry Conroy, who defeated the Russian in both the 2003 and 2004 events. An insider revealed "Serguei's very determined to gain revenge on Barry Conroy. The taunting and derision has hurt him and he's determined not only to beat, but destroy Conroy!!" The return of Semikhatov is a massive boost to the event as the giant Russian is one of the most popular darts figures on the circuit. BETTING ODDS PUBLISHED FOR DARTS 2005 Darts News is excited to announce the publication of the odds for Darts 2005. "Although not all players have confirmed yet, I have worked closely with a contact in the turf accountancy business who has devised this set of odds for the 2005 event" announced the Minister. The odds see world number one Denis "The Field Marshall" Reilly installed as 5-1 favourite with the bookies to win back the crown he held in 2002. Reilly is followed in the betting by 2004 finalists Brendan Fay and James Henry, available at 6-1. Rumours of the probable return of Neil "Super Robot" Corcoran see the giant 2001 champ in the book at 7-1, while the trio of Gary Corcoran, Dave Doheny and Gregor Hall, all semi-finalists in recent years are there at 8-1. Regarding 1998 champ John Heaney, a darts news source commented, "John's available at 10-1 as he's not 100% certain to be there." Also at 10-1 is Declan O'Regan, who has showed strong form in his first two events. A string of other interesting prices are available throughout the field, notably Ciaran Bryan at 12-1 and 1997 champ Tom Henry at 25-1! As to how much money would be changing hands in the betting ring, Minister Gary Corcoran commented, "it's a possibility. We've had the odds done by a proffesional so we are considering running a book this year. I'll be speaking to Barney Johnson about it. We might sort something out. I'd also like to thank Kevin Egan who generously gave his time and expertise to generate these odds for us." Darts 2005 odds Denis Reilly 5/1 Brendan Fay 6/1 James Henry 6/1 Neil Corcoran 7/1 Gary Corcoran 8/1 Dave Doheny 8/1 Gregor Hall 8/1 John Heaney 10/1 Declan O'Regan 10/1 Ciaran Bryan 12/1 Barry Conroy 16/1 Patrick Ryan 16/1 John Looby 20/1 Barney Johnson 25/1 Thomas Henry 25/1 Conor Guinan 25/1 Mark Elliss 25/1 Sean Laphen 40/1 Colm Reilly 40/1 Jimmy Styles 40/1 Serguei Semikhatov 66/1 Chris Plockelmann 66/1 KING OF DARTS FAY RETURNS FROM TOUR Word has filtered through to Darts News that the reigning King of Darts Brendan Fay has returned from his tour of Asia is on the verge of confirming his availibility for Darts 2005. Darts News was informed yesterday that Fay had returned this week and that contact would be made with the Committee regarding the event and the champ's participation. Fay embarked on his tour of Asia towards the end of 2004, just months after his famous Darts 2004 victory, in which the Cavan legend overcame Jimmy Styles, Denis Reilly, Colm O'Donnell and James Henry to gain a hard earned Darts title. Fay overcame his opponents using a new darts methodology, his "honest darts" approach which coupled with Fay's modesty and self effacing style made him a very popular winner. ROBOT CONFIRMS FOR DARTS 2005 Neil "Super Robot" Corcoran has confirmed he will be coming out of retirement to return to the Walsh Road oche for Darts 2005. In a packed press conference in the John Thornton Hall, Thornborough, Buckinghamshire, the lid was blown on the worst kept secret in Darts. Corcoran read a pre-prepared statement to the mass of reporters, "I'd like to confirm that I will be coming out of retirement to resume my darts career for Darts 2005. While I took the year out I had plenty of time to reflect on my darts career and my fantastic achievements. My Darts 2001 title win remains a great sporting accomplishment but I now plan to add further glory, by becoming the first man to win two Darts titles." The bullish statement from the 2001 King of darts prompted wild scenes in the rural community hall as Corcoran's massed support exuberantly celebrated the announcement of his comeback. LAPHEN DEFINITELY OUT, FIRES POTSHOT AT JOHNSON AND CONROY As revealed by Darts News earlier this week, Sean "Two Darts" Laphen is unavailable for Darts 2005 due to work commitments which have seen the popular star based in Luxembourg. Laphen was doubtful for the event due to his re-location and took time out to contact the Committee to confirm his unavailibility, but has vowed to return for 2006. Two Darts, who made an explosive Darts debut in 2002 when he beat hot tournament favourite John Joyce asked for a message to be sent to the Darts community: "I'd like to wish all the competitors with the exception of Barney Johnson and Barry Conroy good luck in what promises to be a fantastic event." STARS PREPARATION FOR DARTS 2005 CONTINUE Minister Gary Corcoran, dubbed "the hardest working man on the circuit" is taking a week off from event organisation next week as he recesses to Prague, Czech Republic for a week's training. Also out of general circulation is veteran Limerick hardman Barney "Bad News" Johnson, the lawmaker vowing to dish out his own unique brand of justice at Darts 2005. Ironically, a tip off received yesterday indicated that Johnson and 1998 champ John "The Cat" Heaney are working closely together at the same facility, believed to be in Dublin. The controversial Heaney, who has not confirmed whether he will compete in the Darts 2005 event is said to be helping Johnson with theoretical issues and the mental aspect of his game. PRE-RELEASE EXCERPTS FROM BYRAN BOOK RELEASED TO DARTS NEWS It has been revealed that Ciaran Bryan, aka Malabar, is currently in Reading, England to promote his new book, "Malabar, The Man, The Beast, The Virtue", the release of which will coincide with the Darts 2005 event. The book is said to be "a stirring epic, packed with tales of dashing, courage and glory" and publishers hope it will sell well among Darts fans for the rest of the year. The book is a compendium of mini books, each dealing with various diverse items from Bryan's darts career. Darts News are delighted to announce that some excerpts from the book have been released to us, courtesy of a corrspondant of ours, Ronald Van Der Ende from Enschede in the Netherlands. The following excerpt is taken from the book "And Before Him all Walsh Road Trembled" which deals with Ciaran's progression through darts 2002, which ended in glorious failure. "I stood in the arena, the lights gleaming at me, the smoke rising and the smell of stale alcohol fumes abounding. I saw the eyes of the crowd, glinting at me, gazing on my wonderous prescence. They shouted cheers of encouragement, raucous and fabulous raptures. I stood poised to through and gazed back at the crowd. Their narrow heads swaying through drunken decadance. The cheers grew louder exalting and hailing me. I yearned for glory, I rolled back my hand to aim, and threw. The dart hit a treble 16, the crowd cheered but the whole charade sickened me, to the pit of my guts." Another excerpt taken from the next book "The darting messiah sent from the gods" which deals with his participation in darts 2003, where he famously drove from Galway at high speed to be at the event. "I remember meeting Denis in the kitchen. He had beaten me the year before, so I had nothing but respect for him. He wished me the best for the match and said he was looking forward to it. I wished him the best also, and said it should be a good match. That was the thing with Denis, he was always a gent both on and off the oche. In the end he beat me easily, I never really performed and he was still on top form. We shook hands and I wished him luck. He had won the battle. But no one can ever take away the memories of all the lovely people I met on the way from Galway, all the friendly folk that waved at me and cheered me on, as I drove the the towns and villages of rural Ireland, that lovely January afternoon". The final book, entitled "Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair" gives an insight into Ciaran's preparations and aspirations for the Darts 2005 event. "I have needs too, just like other players. But mine are not like the lusty and weak physical needs of other players who lust for drink, crowd approval and adulation. My needs are pure darting ones: Power, Domination, and Glory and at Darts 2005 my needs will be sated". LATE BREAKING NEWS Brendan Fay has confirmed for Darts 2005. He has confirmed he will attend to defend his title in a phonecall to a Committee member today. The Committee, fans and players alike are in agreement that this is brilliant news. |