LOUTH DOUBLES CHAMPIONS OWEN CAFFREY AND JOE FINNEGAN
The reemergence of the Louth Doubles after 6 years seen a low attendance due to the time of year. 12 teams consisting of 24 players took to the oche to attain a title that has serious pedigree behind it.
A brief history on some past winners....
Daniel Dunn and Simon Wykes 2005/6 (daniel is a world masters youth player 1993 and northern ireland open youth winner 1992
Owen Caffrey and Steve Mcdonnell 2004/5 (owen is an ex irish international and steve has just qualifed for his 5th world cup. only one other man in the country has done this. jack mckenna.)
Danny Maguire and Robert Mcquillan 1989/90. (danny is an ex irish international)
Packie Fratwell and Martin Mccartney 1998/99
Pat and Gerry Grimes 1997/98
Dermie Ralf and Stan Brennan 1996/97
Pat Maher and Pat Mcentaggart 1992/93
Mick Magowan and Damian Geragthy...1988/89,1990/91,1991/92,1993/94, 1994/95,1995/96. What an acheivement. And we all know what Mick Magowan has done in darts with the PDC and the BDO and an ex irish international
Now , back to the event at hand. First in were Trevor Mcguirk and Gerry Rice against Chris murray and Shane Bradley. There was 3 county players in this mix as well as a youth of extraordinary ability in shane but alas it was the 2 current players that came through. Gerard Mckeown and Ray Harte were up against Mark and Robert Connelly (mark recently got to the final of the northern ireland open). The Connelly lads put up a great game to the two commercial club/ souraghans lads but it wasn't to be for the young Connelly's. Jimmy Reenan and Wayne Rodgers took on Mickey Kelly and Gary Stewart next and after a massive battle it was Kelly and Stewart that made it. Last of the prelims seen Ollie Thompson and Benny Bradley up against David Rath and J.P. Muldoon. Missed doubles decided the outcome of this one and Ollie and Benny took the honours. First round proper had Mcguirk /Rice up against league Doubles holders Owen Caffrey and Joe Finnegan. It was a ding dong battle all the way to the final double and Caffrey and Finnegan came out on top. Mckeown /Harte were up next against Danny Maguire and young Mark Connelly again as danny's partner Derek Hernon never showed up. 3-0 and Maguire/Connelly were in winning ways. Kelly/Stewart were up for it against Daniel Dunn and John Donnelly. The Mcnamees pair were having none of it. 3-0 was the score and Dunn /Donnelly were in the semi-final.Thompson/Bradley were up against Clare Conlon and Grainne Mackin next in what was a good acheivement for the 2 ladies as they got to a finish in all 3 legs before the two lads progressed into the semi's. 3 past winners on 3 different teams in the semi finals. Caffrey/Finnegan against Maguire/Connelly. 2 x 180 in the first leg and 3 x140 in the second leg. It was mental in the red part of the twenties, and as good as the game was , there had to be a winning team and that was Caffrey/ Finnegan. Dunn/Donnelly had the inform Thompson /Bradley duo. And what a match , but once again in this event it was the darts that were missed at the doubles that determined the outcome. A missed double 18 let Dunn in to finish 60 and a missed bull let Donnelly in for 84. All history after that am afraid. The stage was set for a showdown. Caffrey and Finnegan had beaten Donnelly and Unwin on there way to the final of the league doubles and Caffrey had seen off Dunn in the later stages of the league singles, but Dunn was up for it . Only fresh from winning the Louth Singles 2 week before. The anticipation was insane, and nervous smiles all round until the game started . Dunn and Donnelly drew first blood only to have it equalised within 18 darts by the others. Caffrey and Finnegan broke throw in the next and held there throw in the following to leave them 3-1 up. Dunn and Donnelly wouldn't take it lightly and struck back but the scores went well for the league champs in what was to be the last leg with a 180 and a 140 and although they missed a shot at the double each, the work was done and 4-2 was the final score.
Super day was had by all and a quick competition of best 9 x 101 was on the cards next . It was a Caffrey v Maguire final with Caffrey taking the honours.
Thanks to the Fairways once again for there continuing support and thanks to all that came on the day.