UH/0717

World's top players in charity event

J.R. flies the flag for West Tyrone League.
West Tyrone darts player, J. R. Doherty, flew the local flag in superb style at the big charity darts event attended by major world stars of the sport at Mahon's Hotel, in Irvinestown, over last weekend.
Three days of high quality action started on Friday night, with leading local players, joined by players from throughout Ireland and the U.K., including the legendary John Lowe, World No. 1, Rod Marring, Bob Anderson, big Cliff Lazarenko, former World Champions, Richie Burnett and Keith Deller, plus top Scottish star, Jamie Harvey, and new darts sensation, Shayne Burgess.
Also taking part in their own competition were some of the leading lady throwers in the country. J. R. Doherty was paired with Jamie Harvey in the Pro-Am Doubles competition, and the duo won their way through to Sunday's final. In the final, J.R. showed he could live with the best in the business, scoring and finishing well, as he and partner Jamie recorded a splendid success over world leader, Rod Harring, and partner, Joey Coyle, from Donegal.
Local man, J.H., polished off a 68 finish to the third leg of the best of seven final, and he followed up with a 54 out-shot in leg four to put his team in a good position. It went right down to the last game, though before Jamie Harvey shot double 2 for a 4 -3 success. A great moment for J.R. Doherty and the West Tyrone League.
The Ladies Event was won by Liz Potts, from Donegal, with the Irish Men's Individual event collected by Sean Magowan (Sligo) with a 5-3 victory over Tony O'Neill (Westmeath).
The professional competition produced some sparkling darts, including a spectacular ten-dart leg from Scotland's Jamie Harvey.
That ten darter helped to give Jamie the edge over Cliff Lazarenko in the semi-final, Jamie eventually running out the winner by six legs to four.
In the other semi-final. John Lowe was unable to produce his usual top form and young gun. Shayne Burgess, from England, won comfortably on a scoreline of 6-1.
The final itself between Jamie Harvey and Shayne Burgess kept, the big crowd entertained, with Burgess emerging victorious 7-2.
Jamie had the consolation of rattling of an 11-dart leg in game four, 180, 140, 125, and a 56 out-shot via 16 and tops, softening the blow of overall defeat.
The inaugural event raised more than £2,500 for the Omagh Fund, and the money was handed over after play on Sunday night to Councillor Pat McDonnell.
Ronnie Boyle and his fellow organisers deserve great credit for staging such a successful event.