Three generations make it a treble for Sean Óg’s Ballyshannon darts team

Sean Óg’s Ballyshannon darts team may not have won the recent League final against neighbours O’Donnell’s, but they still scored an unbeatable treble.

For grandfather John McGonigle, son Cathal McGonigle and grandson Garreth Brennan were all part of the team with a strong Corlea connection. And this is a treble that is very unlikely to be beaten anywhere. 

Grandpa John captained the team while Cathal and Garreth were right there in the thick of the action against an on-fire O’Donnell’s who won 5-2 before a huge crowd in the Bird’s Nest Bar in Bundoran. 

Speaking to Donegal Live, John said: “I am so proud of the connection and while I could not play due to a hand injury, I am also so proud that Cathal and Gareth were there. 

“It is not often that you have a grandfather, a son and grandson on the team and we do loads of practising in my home in the hills of Corlea. It is great to see that tradition coming through. 

“Cathal (41) and Garreth who is only 15 and on the Donegal U-15 football and hurling squads. They have been throwing darts since they were three years of age and I brought them to exhibitions all over the place. 

“I had Cathal at an exhibition for then world champion Eric Bristow in Jackson’s Hotel in Ballybofey years ago and Eric took a great interest in Cathal and he made Cathal throw from a chair and he saw something in Cathal. 

“Cathal had dartitis and had to give up darts for 10 years and he is naturally left-handed but he loved the game so much that he began to throw with his right hand. Garreth is playing well too, and he loves the darts and he is only 15 and a great sportsman. 

And John paid a big tribute to their victors from O’Donnell’s who are next door to Sean Og’s in Ballyshannon.  

 “O’Donnell’s are a great team and were the better team on the night and they are a great bunch of lads as  the proprietor James O’Donnell said to me before the match that no matter what happens we will all still be the very best and that is the case.  

“There is always the height of respect between all the darters and that is great to see.