Day 301 - Friday, October 28th, 2011

Firstly, Happy Birthday (sister) Olivia!

The day snailed by but along came the evening and time to visit The Ally Pally for the second night in a row, this time for TNDC 104, where no less than 11 athletes turned up to vie for the title and for precious TNDC World Championship and World Trophy points. In mid-December the Top 12 seeds will make it through to the final stages of the World Championships, with Seeds 13-16 entering the first round of the World Trophy. Trophies and prizes to the value of €300 will be competed for, thanks to generous sponsorship and the players paying a whopping supplement of €1 per week attended.

On the night, John "The Equaliser" Delaney garnered another title, whilst "English" Niall English (who isn't English) catapulted himself into the World Championship ranking positions. Action continued until after 1am, at which point a mouth-watering curried chips and quarter-pounder with cheese was summonsed from the Roma II chippy, before swiftly hailing a taxi.



Contentment : 16 / 25
Excitement :    3.5 / 10
Memorability : 4 / 15

Overall Score : 47% (71st out of 301)

  

Day 293 - Thursday, October 20th, 2011

This evening Doolan's simply witnessed a feast of athleticism, with no less than 14 competitors deciding to tog out for TNDC 103, the highest number since April of this year. John "The Equaliser" Delaney proved that his recently brush with the professinal ranks in Killarney has done him the power of good, with a 2nd title in a row, and another maximum 180 score, matched by Dean "The Dinosaur" Brennan. There were exciting scoring debuts for young Italian talent Daniele "Cornetto" Olmetto and the Pride of Kilnaleck, Garda Martin "G-Force" Donohoe.

The evening also saw the return of Austin "The Iceman" McEvoy after extensive paternity leave, and he brushed off the tungsten cobwebs with ease to gain 4th place on the night.

Contentment : 15 / 25
Excitement :    3 / 10
Memorability : 4 / 15

Overall Score : 44% (99th out of 293)

Day 286 - Thursday, October 13th, 2011

High excitement during lunchtime where I came across a galaxy of famous and semi-famours people, including Presidential Candidate and Eurovision Song Contest winner Dana, out campaigning on Grafton Street. Then whilst browsing in Top Shop, who should also be present but Chatty Man TV show host and comedian Alan Carr, relaxing ahead of his sell-out show at the O2 this evening. We exchanged "Hello"s but I spared him having to engage in any further small-talk or photography sessions. Completing the gala list of stars (snigger) was Aongus McAnally,  former TV snooker and Saturday youth programme host, now working as a DJ on Lyric FM methinks. He was outside the Gaiety Theatre hosting a live open broadcast.

At Thursday Night Darts Club 102, a moderate attendance of six athletes battled it out, with John "The Equaliser" Delaney notching up another title, scoring a maximum 180 in the process.

Contentment : 14.5 / 25
Excitement :    2.5 / 10
Memorability : 3 / 15

Overall Score : 40% (142nd out of 365)

Day 272 - Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Nine athletes went to post at Thursday Night Darts Club 101 in Doolan's where its pints of Tuborg at €3.30 went down a particular storm. In top form was Gar "Milky Bar" Kiernan, who romped to the title with a magnificent tally of 54 points, which means he is a mere 2 points away from gaining the Number 2 Ranking in the TNDC from yours truly, who amassed the grand total of zero points this evening - an historic first!

Contentment : 13 / 25
Excitement :    2 / 10
Memorability : 2.5 / 15

Overall Score : 35% (146th out of 272)

Day 265 - Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

Today was the most wonderful of all manufactured days - Arthur's Day - where everyone goes out, drinks Guinness, and drinks Guinness. It meant that Guinness at Doolan's was just €3 per pint all night at Thursday Night Darts Club, which attracted 10 thirsty athletes. After many weeks in the darting doldrums, Jimmy "The Peach" Leach easily won his 10th TNDC title with a wondrous scoring display that included a 180 and 5 140s. Gar von Milky Bar also scored a maximum, making it the first ever TNDC where more than one athlete scored 180s - great success!

Infused with elation and success, The Milky Bar Kid insisted on continuing the festivities and thus we moved into town for a few Mojitos in Lafayette followed by a number of Super Splits (Captain Morgan and orange) at Q Bar until the wee hours.

Emotional, but certainly not tired - Milky Bar, The Dark Destroyer and The Anto-Christ

Contentment : 15.5 / 25

Excitement :    3 / 10

Memorability : 4 / 15

Overall Score : 45% (78th out of 265)

Day 250 - Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

Another blogging milestone - 250 days - and after flagging somewhat in the past couple of months I sense that I may be getting a 2nd (or 3rd/4th/5th) wind to bring me to the finish line that is a mere 115 days away! I have already decided that next year's blog will be a leaner, more direct affair - no harm, sez you.

Lunch was taken at the Clarendon for the first time in a while, and its soup and pepper chicken offering for a tenner (including tip) went down a treat.

Thursday Night Darts Club took place a day early this week, in its regular Doolan's haunt, but its taking place looked in danger until 7.15pm when the necessary 4th athlete arrived. Everyone is obviously saving themselves for the double-ranking event next Thursday, but all present tonight profited well, with Lara "Tryples" Della Volpe making a triumphant return to soar up the World Rankings from 15th to the crucial 12th position, which offers the final berth for the World Championships in December. After a slow start, Conch-Shell "The Conqueror" O'Keeffe ironically slowed his throw to reap his highest points dividend since April, whilst I pipped John "The Equaliser" Delaney by 2 points to lift my first title since May - great success!

Contentment : 16 / 25
Excitement :    3 / 10
Memorability : 3.5 / 15

Overall Score : 45% (74th out of 250)

Day 244 - Thursday, September 1st, 2011

September 1st, and two-thirds of the year have elapsed already - amazing stuff. The event was celebrated with a Deal Lunch with Gillian Hugh and Ruaraidh from work, in nearby Bia Bar, where a starter, a burger and chips and a glass of vino set each of us back a mere tenner.

At Thursday Night Darts Club 97, six athletes went to post, where John "The Equaliser" Delaney won his 2nd title in succession, with a relatively comfortable win. Jimmy "The Dark Destroyer" Leach took 2nd and 30+ precious TNDC World Chanmpionship ranking points.

                                                  The Night's Silver and Gold Medallists

Contentment : 12 / 25
Excitement :    2 / 10
Memorability : 2.5 / 15

Overall Score : 33% (140th out of 244)