Donegal men’s darts team to receive civic reception for national achievements

A civic reception will be held for the Donegal men’s darts team to recognise their 15th All-Ireland Championship win.

The call came from Sinn Féin Cllr Jack Murray at the March plenary meeting of Donegal County Council. He said it was a “historic achievement” that the men’s darts team won their most recent title in March.

The team made it three-in-a-row at the INDO Inter-Counties Championship in the INEC Arena in Killarney, Kerry.

“Their success should definitely be recognised. I don’t think there’s any Donegal team in any sport that dominates their own sport in the way that our darts team does,” said Cllr Murray.

“They’ve won 15 titles since 1998 so a phenomenal achievement. Not only one member has got all 15 medals, but two. One in my own area, Charlie Grant from Quigley's Point and John Flood from Milford. They’re the only two men in the country to have achieved that which is phenomenal in itself and should be acknowledged.”

Cllr Murray alluded to the rise in popularity of darts among younger generations, in part due to the influence of darts World Championship winner, 19-year-old Luke Littler.

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“In Buncrana, just last year, the Inishowen Community Darts was established to provide a forum outside of bars and pubs for kids to play darts,” said Cllr Murray. “They set up in Buncrana Youth Club. They’ve hundreds of members and they’ve actually outgrown their facility and they’ve had to expand and seek another facility.

“I think that it’s great, particularly for kids who mightn’t be suited to football or GAA or rugby or any of those sports. They have an outlet so that’s something I think we should encourage and it’s great to see.”

Cllr Murray called for local community darts organisations to be invited to the civic reception. The motion was seconded by Fianna Fáil Cllr Liam Blaney.

Arrangements will now be made with the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) to set a date for the civic reception. Civic receptions were also agreed for Irish Champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle and world record-breaking athlete Caitriona Jennings.

The Men’s A Team are: Cartha Boyle, Jordan Boyce, Charlie Grant, Alan Byrne, Alan Laird, Adrian Devine, Andrew Gillespie, Ciaran McGeady, Declan Quinn, Derek Quinn, Derek Gallagher, Gerald Nestor, Gerard McGlynn, Jason Patterson, John Flood, John Meencha Gallagher, Stephen Harron, Dean Gallagher.