Donegal were crowned All Ireland Darts Champions 2020 at weekend after winning the All-Ireland Inter-County Championship.
Donegal had a difficult start in Saturday’ss first stage of the competition after losing their first match 7-6 to Wicklow.
With what started with a 5 leg losing streak they managed to come back to 6-6 and just lost out on the last leg.
Their team talk after that defeat must have made an impact as they breezed through their next match winning 10-3 against Cavan. They topped their group and were buzzing for Sunday’s final stages.
The competition started at 11am but the players were up and at it from 8 or before to get the practice in for the day ahead! First up was Kerry. Donegal lead the way through this knock out match winning with a nice 7-5.
The quarter final saw them up against Mayo. Both teams had met in last months West Coast Challange in the final where Donegal came back from 4-2 down to beat them 7-4.
Mayo were not likely to be an easy game. Mayo started strong with a 0-2 lead. Donegal’s Adrian Divine won the 3rd game. But Mayo won again leaving Donegal on 1-3.
Gerard McGlynn and Reece Brennan hammered in 2 2 nil games to bring it all even at 3-3. John Flood and Charlie Grant gave Donegal a nice 5-3 lead with two more strong 2-0 game wins.
Mayo got one more game back but Michael Leech and Jordan Boyce were on the team sheet to make sure Donegal got the result to make it a 7-5 win and a spot in the semi-final.
Donegal faced Cork in the semi-final. Cork started strong here with the first game. Andy McLaughlin won his game to make it all square. Donegal lost the next two games making the gap that bit bigger at 1-3, but Gerard McGlynn got a mighty game back to bring Donegal closer.
Cork edged 4-2 ahead, but John Flood and Charlie Grant were the on the ockey next and brought us back to all square at 4-4. Tensions were running high and the crowd were getting louder as both team were cheered on to make it to the final.
Cork went ahead again before Michael Leech, Jordan Boyce and Clive Aiken took to the ockey and claimed Donegal’s place in the final.
Donegal were up against Wexford in the final.
Donegal started the final the way they intended, strong and determined. John Flood took to the stage and gave Donegal the mighty first point. Andy McLaughlin ran away with a 3-0 game giving Donegal two on the trot.
Joe Flood made it 3-0 and Donegal had a nice lead. Sean Wilson lost his game giving Wexford their first point.
Adrian Divine took to the stage where he made it 4-1 for Donegal. Reece Brennan was in top form as he took another leg from Wexford and made it 5-1.
Gerard McGlynn wasn’t going to see the final lose him a match this weekend and for a 100 per cent record he made it 6-1.
Donegal only needed one more to claim the title. Cartha Boyle was next up but his Wexford opponent upped the anti and took one back for Wexford.
Charlie Grant’s roaring support from the crowd was enough to spur him on to win the game for his teammates.
With a 132 check out in the third leg and a 15-darter to win the match he certainly gave his all to crown Donegal the All-Ireland champions.
Donegal’s winning team:
Sean Wilson Buncrana (Captain)
John Murray Ramelton (V-Captain)
Noel O’Donnell Brockagh
John Flood Milford
Charlie Grant Quigleys Point
Anthony Whoriskey Newtowncunningham
Clive Aiken Ramelton
Michael Leech Moville
Paddy Boyce Newtowncunningham
Jordan Boyce Newtowncunningham
Andy McLaughlin Carrigart
Andrew Gillespie Carrick
John Meencha Gallagher Carrick
Joe Flood Milford
Cartha Boyle Glenties
Reece Brennan The Cross
Adrian Devine Buncrana
Alan Byrne Duneyloop
Gerard Mc Glynn Castlefin
