News
International darts tournament a bullseye for Killarney
WORLD CHAMPION: Newly crowned BDO Masters champion John O'Shea (right) from Cork is the top entry for this weekend's Killarney Darts Festival
By Sean Moriarty
Some of the biggest names in World Darts will compete in Killarney this weekend in the new 2019 Killarney Darts Festival.
The three-day festival is jointly organised by the Irish National Darts Organisation and British Darts Organisation (BDO).
The biggest darts event in Ireland, and also one of the newest events on the BDO calendar, will get underway today (Friday) and will run until Sunday. There is a guaranteed prize fund of €28,000.
Newly crowned BDO World Champion, Cork man John O'Shea, is one of the star attractions.
Last weekend he produced one of darts' greatest upsets after he won the BDO World Masters at the famous Circus Tavern in Essex.
He defeated former two time BDO World Masters champion Scott Waites in the final 6-4 in sets.
Top overseas seed for the Irish Open element of the competition is English visitor Andy Hamilton. The Stoke-on-Trent based player enjoyed a professional career between 2004 and 2015, with one of his most memorable performances coming in 2007 when he lost the World Darts Matchplay semi-final to Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, arguably the biggest name in the sport.
His main opposition will come from rising Scottish ace Ryan Hogworth, a professional for five years. Hogworth made it to the last 32 of the World Masters last season. The third seed is Englishman David Evans, a quarter-finalist in this year’s British Open.
Nearly 400 competitors will take part in various competitions over the weekend.
Saturday’s singles tournament will count towards BDO rankings next season and Sunday’s Irish Open will be the flagship event of the weekend.
Another top Irish entry (eighth) is Francis Carragher, a semi-finalist in both the Swiss Open and the Antwerp Open championships this season.
“It is great for the town,” Kerry Darts Team Manager, Gary McCormick, told the Killarney Advertiser. “There are 380 entered for it, some very big names. Keep an eye on Corkman John O’Shea who just won the BDO championship in England.”
The 32 strong Irish Open entry list includes dart players representing France, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium.
The Women’s Open is led by English star Fallon Sherrock and Aileen de Graff of the Netherlands. The entry also includes Russian Anastasia Dobromyslova who finished second in last weekend’s BDO World Masters.
Green light for Torc Dinis walkway
Planning approval has been granted for a long-awaited lakeside walkway and cycleway connecting Torc and Dinis inside Killarney National Park.
An Coimisiún Pleanála confirmed permission for the elevated platform project, which will complete the popular scenic loop while removing a dangerous 800-metre section along the busy N71 Killarney to Kenmare road.
Walkers and cyclists currently have to navigate narrow bends alongside heavy vehicular traffic and tour buses to complete the circuit between the Dinis and Torc car parks.
Mayor of Killarney John O’Donoghue welcomed the decision, calling it a transformative development for the region: “Since beginning in the Council in 2021, this has been one of my priorities as an issue I inherited from my predecessor Michael Gleeson, he being the first person to initially pursue the idea. I have repeatedly kept it on the agenda at Council meetings and now delighted to see we finally have positive news as this decision, which has been long overdue and eagerly awaited, will prove transformative for the area.”
Mayor O’Donoghue added: “The path, which will be on the lakeside, will offer views to rival those anywhere in the world and I have no doubt will prove very popular with locals and visitors alike. Huge credit is due to Kerry County Council and the NPWS for their co-operation on the issue. Once the decision has passed through its statutory waiting period, the design and tender stage can begin.”
The project, which will be built on a raised platform to protect the natural habitat beneath, will also be fully accessible for people with mobility issues. Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce also welcomed the green light, noting that the completed loop will create a major safe attraction showcasing Muckross Lake, Dinis Cottage, and the Old Weir Bridge.
LAKESIDE PATH: An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved planning permission for a new raised walkway and cycleway connecting Torc and Dinis in Killarney National Park.
LOCAL GOLD: Terrie O’Shea, founder and owner of Killarney-based business Sorella Berries, celebrating her Gold award win at the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards held in Dingle last week. Her hand-crafted chocolate covered strawberries secured the top spot in national competition, earning recognition for the local food producer on the national stage.
Green light for Torc to Dinis walkway
Green light for Torc Dinis walkway Planning approval has been granted for a long-awaited lakeside walkway and cycleway connecting Torc...
LOCAL GOLD:
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