When Navan O’Mahony’s won the Meath Senior Football Champïonship of 1997 it was considered quite a turn up. Simply as The Hoops were thought to be in a transitional period, having enjoyed a spell of utter dominance between 1987 and 1990.
In fact, it wasn’t as much a thought as a reality. With the exception of a teenage Niall McKeigue and their brilliant half back duo Kenny McGuirk and Darren Byrne, the winning team was made up of some of those who were central to the glory years.
Including Damien Sheridan – father of the footballing dynasty in Seneschalstown – who came back after a decade or so out and played a pivotal roll in the success. As the old hands showed the rest how it was done.
That unlikely triumph came back to mind today when watching two more sessions of pulsating action at the World Darts Championship. Primarily owing to the enthralling victory of Mervyn King over tbe battling Australian Raymond Smith.
Also during Thursday’s early action, the new kid on the block in the sport at the moment, Calen Rydz sidestepped the challenge of the also emerging Alan Souter of Scotland before Luke Humphries did indeed display a cool hand in coming from behind to overcome Chris Dobey. You’d have to feel a bit sorry for the vanquished Geordie who came into the last 16 tie with less game time on the oche having got a walkover from Michael Van Gerwen – forced to withdraw after failing a Covid test.
Humphries will face Gary Anderson three hurdles out after the wily Scot continued his understated progress through the tournament, coming through an absolute belter against a rejuvenated Rob Cross.
In the other concluding Last 16 tie, which was a battle of the hair styles, Peter Wright put his greater experience of big occasion, high pressure situations to good use in overcoming Ryan Searle. The latter’s dearth of experience at the absolute highest level hindered his ability to settle to the task at hand. By which time the Snake had disappeared into the long grass.
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