Some real sporting excitement took place over the weekend. Nevermind Liverpool finally winning a game or Kidneys Ireland beating The Boks, history was being written in Sallynoggin.

Colmcilles player, Mick Barry, joined a very elite club after hitting a magic 9darter in The Noggin Inn on Saturday evening. His perfect game came in his quarter final match against Kildare’s Shane O’Connor. Losing 3-1 at the time, and with all eyes on his board, Mick hit the 7 treble 20s, followed by a treble 19 before moving back up the board to nail the double 12.

“I’m delighted” beemed Mick. “Even if i never throw another dart, i’ve hit a 9darter and no one can take that from me.”

Unfortunately for Mick, he lost the match 4-2 but may take some consolation as O’Connor went on to win the competition, beating former RTDL singles champion, Keith Rooney in the final.

Well done Mick!!!

The return to form of Butzy Wade helped ease Walshes to a 6-0 win over the Man O’War . Butzy, along with Anto Caldwell, hit 180s in their games. The results sees Walshes stay in first place, just 2 points ahead of reigning champions Colmcilles. But Walshes now have 2 weeks off to allow Colmcilles to try and overtake them.

Cilles themselves were also 6-0 winners against The Top Shop in Swords last Thursday night.

The Strand Bar head the chasing pack after an impressive 5-1 victory over The Cricket. This leaves The Strand 3points ahead of the Gladstone in 4th place, after the Skerries men went down 4-2 in Balbriggan to the WHL.

In the final game of the round, The Bar team from Balbriggan, equalled their lounge teams result, also winning 4-2 against a dogged St. Maurs team.

Murrays and The Cock had no games this week.

Possibly the best game so far this season took place in St. Maurs on Fri night as St. Maurs welcomed Colmcilles. The Rush Lads were on the wrong side of a 5-1 result but it was a much closer game than it sounds. Cilles had to be at their very best and unfortunately for Keith’s team, they were. Mark Howard tops the 180 list after hitting 2 maximums in his match. Jacko Barry was at his best, also hitting 2 180s. But the maximums werent finished yet, with Dylan Rutledge and Scoby Maughan for Maurs getting in on the act. Mick Barry had earlier narrowly missed the bull for a 161 checkout.

Murrays good form continued with a 6 nil victory over their local rivals, The Top Shop. After losing their first 3 games, Murrays have now moved up to 6th and are unbeaten in their last 6 games.

Walshes stay top of the league after a 4-2 win against the Cock Tavern. It was a hard fought game that went all the way down to the last leg, with Liam Redden just getting to the double ahead of Michael Baxter. Rory Murphy got his first 180 of the season in his game over Nigel Donnelly.

The Gladstone are up to 4th after a 4-2 win over The White Hart Bar in Balbriggan.

The Cricket and the White Hart Lounge played out a 3-3 draw in Rush. It was Alan Butterly who broke The Balbriggan hearts to earn the draw.

The Strand stay in 3rd position after their walkover, while The Man O’ War had a bye this week.

So were there any strange events on Friday 13th???

Well, after giving walkovers for 2 weeks in a row, The Fingal’s Cave have withdrawn from the league. All results from games against the Cave will be null and void. No one will receive points for games played or due to be played against The Cave.

So how does that leave the standings???

Even though Colmcilles handed The Gladstone their first defeat of the season, its Walshes that return to the top of the table. Cilles were 4-2 winners over the Skerries men but they lose the 3points that they won against The Cave. They now sit in second place, just 2 points behind Walshes but with a game in hand. Walshes also inflicted the first defeat of the season on The Strand in a 5-1 victory. The game was much closer than it sounds, with Walshes hitting the crucial doubles when it mattered.

St. Maurs are still rooted to the bottom after a 4-2 defeat to Murrays in Lusk. Maurs will feel slightly unlucky not to have picked up a point a missing darts for the draw.

The Cock Tavern are up to 4th in the table after a convincing 5-1 victory over The Man O’ War.

Finally, the lads from The White Hart Bar earned their first victory of the season. Again, they were 5-1 winners against The Cricket.

The White Hart Lounge and The Top Shop both had the week off. The WHL were due to play The Cave while The Top Shop had their bye week.

On behalf of the Rush Town Dart League, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Tommy Walsh and all the Walsh family on the recent passing of Tommy’s wife Carmel. May she rest in peace.

There will be a meeting this Friday 13th in The Strand Bar lounge at 7:45pm. All reps are asked to attend and to bring any scorecards with them.