Groves saved their best performance of the season until the last as they took the Cork Darts Organisation challenge cup sponsored by councillor Kenneth Collins by virtue of their win over much fancied Harp at the Joshua Tree on Monday night last.
Groves were involved in a very tight semifinal against the Maple Leaf and were put to the test to come through against the Blackrock Road based team on a 4-2 scoreline while the Harp won their semifinal on a 4-0 scoreline the end result belies the closeness of this clash as all games finished on 2-1 scorelines.
The following final saw Dean Forde take the opening game for the Groves by 2-0 against Radek Szaganski but it was very soon all square as the very much inform Ciarán Teehan was again in outstanding form as he accounted for Robbie O’Donovan 2-0.
David O’Donovan then hit a man of the match performance in his win at number three against Gregg Byrne, taking it 2-1 and it was 3-1 to the Groves as Jerry Coughlan was another 2-1 winner this time over Harp number four Richie McGrath.
Groves then just needing the one more game for outright victory saw Harp number five Jason O’Donovan take the opening leg in his do or die clash against Groves Billy Fitzgerald but Fitzgerald rallied to take the remaining two legs to claim the challenge cup for the Blackpool side.
The semifinals and final of the Ma Dullea’s plate will be played tonight at the Tower Street venue and all four teams must be present at the venue for 8.30 for an 8.45 start and the final to follow.
Last weeks results saw Red Cove defeat the Old Reliable 4-3, Joshua Tree 2 overcame Murphy’s Rock 4-2, Riverstrown Inn defeated Quinlan’s 4-1 and Local 1 got the better of Hennessy’s second squad 4-2.
The semifinals line up tonight at Ma Dullea’s is, Red Cove v Joshua Tree and Riverstown Inn v Local 1.
Tonight will see four venues being used in the Cork Darts Organisation KO cup with four teams allocated to each venue and just the one team emerging as winners from each venue to contest the semifinals and final at the Groves on Monday night next July 2, the following are the venues and fixtures.
At the Groves 9pm, Shamrock v St, Vincent’s and River Lane 1 v Muskerry Arms with winners to play again at 10.15.
At River Lane 9pm, Gerald Griffin v Groves 2, Joshua Tree 3 v Glenryan 2 with winners to play again at 10.15.
At Gallows 9pm,Local 2 v Fox and Hounds, Gallows v Baker Street with winners to play again at 10.15.
At, Glenryan 9pm, Aunties v Tower 2,Residence v River Lane 2 with winners to play again at 10.15.
Final entries taken tomorrow night at the Joshua Tree for super and junior summer leagues which commence on Monday July 9.