John Meencha wins his first John Harkin title
John Meencha is the 2025 John Harkin champion when following nine weeks of darts it all came down to finals night where John rolled back the years beating Andrew Gillespie 6-1 in the final which was a reversal of last year’s final that Andrew won, but it was the semi-final win for John that was the result that stood out as the inform Stephen Harron who topped the league and was the hot favourite to win the cup, but John kept with him to force a decider to go through 5-4 with two ton plus finished helping matters while Stephen had two 180s and four on the night to bring his total to 34 in seven weeks! It could all have been different as in the quarter final Adrian Byrne was on a double after coming from 4-2 down and it took a 118 checkout on double 19 for Meencha to get through.
In the other semi-final Andrew defeated James Byrne 5-1 with Andrew punishing James’s missed doubles, in the quarters Stephen was in devastating form against James Bracken while James beat Conor McKiverigan 5-2. In the shield it was Des McGettigan who came out on top against Peter Mascenik who was appearing in his first local final 5-1, in the semis Des came from 3-0 down against Hugh Doherty in a great match while Peter defeated Gary Doherty (who was in for Cartha Boyle who could not make it) in the other semi-final, in the quarters Hugh was pushed all the way by Aaron Byrne. The youths which went by PDC rules so it was for under 23s was won by Paidí Cunningham he defeated Aaron Byrne 3-1 finishing 62 to win his first darts title but he was also involved in a close semi-final where he came from 2-0 down to beat Gary Doherty while the second semi was also a close affair with Aaron beating Lorcan McGinley also 3-2.
Over the eight weeks of league darts we had a total of 38 different players and each night went smoothly as all players were in the venue on time so matches started around 8:30pm, we also had great darts every night and it was a very enjoyable event. Thanks to all the players who entered, to Michael Curran for marking the finals and semis and to all who helped mark not just on finals night but over the 9 weeks, to Evelyn’s Bar and staff and to Ciara for the food on the night thanks to you all. We will go again in 2026 but we will aim to begin early January, this event is a fitting memory to the late John Harkin and his family would like to thank everyone for entering.
Most 180s
Stephen Harron (34)
Least Darts Leg
Stephen Harron (11)
Highest Checkout
James Byrne and Andrew Gillespie (157)
John Harkin Cup
Final
John Meencha 6-1 Andrew Gillespie (2 x 180 John, 1 x 180 Andrew)
Semi Finals
John Meencha 5-4 Stephen Harron (136, 108 c/o John, 180 x 2 Stephen)
Andrew Gillespie 5-1 James Byrne
Quarter Finals
Stephen Harron 5-0 James Bracken (180 x 2, 131, 116 c/o and 12 dart leg Stephen)
Andrew Gillespie 5-0 Paidi Cunningham
James Byrne 5-2 Conor McKiverigan
John Meencha 5-4 Adrian Byrne (118 c/o John, 180 Adrian)
Runner Up Andrew Gillespie with Declan Harkin
Semi Finals Stephen Harron and James Byrne
Quarter Finals Adrian Byrne, Paidí Cunnigham and James Bracken (missing Conor McKiverigan)
Most 180s and least darts leg Stephen Harron
Highest checkout Andrew Gillepsie and James Byrne
John Harkin Shield
Final
Des McGettigan 5-1 Peter Mascenik
Semi Finals
Des McGettigan 4-3 Hugh Doherty
Peter Mascenic 4-2 Gary Doherty
Quarter Finals
John Holden 1-3 Gary Doherty
Hugh Doherty 3-2 Aaron Byrne (180 Hugh)
Peter Mascenik 3-0 David Gillespie
Des McGettigan 3-0 Lorcan McGinley
Shield runner up Peter Mascenik
John Harkin Youths
Final
Paidí Cunningham 3-1 Aaron Byrne
Semi Finals
Paidí Cunningham 3-2 Gary Doherty (180 Gary)
Lorcan McGinley 2-3 Aaron Byrne
Youth winner Paidí Cunningham
Youth runner up Aaron Byrne
Stephen Harron made it three weekly wins in a row and five out of the eight weeks in total in the final league night of the John Harkin defeating Hugh Doherty who was appearing in his first final 4-1 Stephen had four 180s in the final while Hugh hit one in his 14 dart leg, Harron hit SEVEN 180s on the night bringing his total to 30 in the event, Adrian Byrne had three 180s also on the night while James Byrne matched the highest checkout with a 157, there were 13 180s hit in total and some great matches over the three hours. We had 23 players on the night another great turnout!
In the semi-finals Stephen beat John Meencha 4-1 while Hugh and Adrian Byrne had a close battle that went to the wire, while in the quarters Stephen and Andrew Gillespie played out a brilliant match, Lorcan McGinley played his best game of the event narrowly losing to Adrian 3-2, Adrian had two 180s in a 14 dart leg, Meencha beat Christopher Byrne who won his first match of the tournament in the previous round, John Holden, James Byrne and Hugh Doherty had 3-0 wins while Des defeated James Bracken 3-1.
All this means that Stephen finishes top of the league just two points ahead of Andrew, only two points separate third to fifth spots between James, Adrian and Meencha while Conor McKiverigan finishes sixth, Paidi Cunningham finishes in seventh due to him reaching the quarter finals while James Bracken takes the last spot just one point ahead of Cartha who was unable to make it this past two weeks so he finishes ninth tied on points with John Holden, Hugh’s points for getting to the final puts him in eleventh while Peter, Des, Lorcan and David take up the remaining spots. In the youths (under 23s) Paidi faces Gary while Lorcan takes on Aaron these youth games will start at 6:30pm sharp next Wednesday.
There were a couple of errors in the table where Bracken and Adrian were short points from previous rounds so I have gone through all the results and adjusted those few errors.
Quarter Final Draw
Stephen Harron v James Bracken
Andrew Gillespie v Paidi Cunningham
James Byrne v Conor McKiverigan
Adrian Byrne v John Meencha
Shield
Cartha Boyle v Aaron Byrne
John Holden v David Gillespie
Hugh Doherty v Lorcan McGinley
Peter Mascenik v Des McGettigan
If any player can’t make it for finals night let me know ASAP as the next best placed player will take your place.
Final
Stephen Harron 4-1 Hugh Doherty (4 x 180s Stephen, 14 dart leg and 180 Hugh)
Semi Finals
Stephen Harron 4-1 John Meencha (180 and 12 dart leg Stephen)
Hugh Doherty 4-3 Adrian Byrne (180 Adrian)
Quarter Finals
Stephen Harron 3-0 James Byrne (180 Stephen)
John Meencha 3-2 Des McGettigan (180 Des)
Hugh Doherty 3-0 Paidi Cunningham
Adrian Byrne 3-0 John Holden
Second Round
Stephen Harron 3-2 Andrew Gillespie (180 Stephen)
James Byrne 3-0 Aaron Byrne (157 c/o James)
John Meencha 3-0 Christopher Byrne (101 c/o John, 180 x 2)
Des McGettigan 3-1 James Bracken
Hugh Doherty 3-0 Darragh Gallagher
Paidi Cunningham 3-1 Gary Doherty
Adrian Byrne 3-2 Lorcan McGinley (180 x 2, 14 dart leg Adrian)
John Holden 3-0 Francis McGinley
First Round
Andrew Gillespie 3-0 Shane McLoone
James Byrne 3-0 Declan Ellis
Aaron Byrne 3-0 Peter Mascenik
Christopher Byrne 3-1 David Gillespie
Des McGettigan 3-0 Conor McKiverigan
Hugh Doherty 3-0 Shane Mooney
Paidi Cunningham 3-2 Charlie McLaughlin
Stephen Harron won for the second week in a row and his fourth in total in a repeat of last week’s final against Andrew Gillespie that was the third final win against Andrew, he had a 14 dart leg and a 180 and 5 overall on the night taking his total to 23 in five nights!! In the semis Stephen beat James Byrne and Andrew beat James Bracken both matches were 4-0, earlier Adrian Byrne gave Stephen a tough test losing 3-2 with two 180s from Stephen. Andrew remains top of the league four clear of Stephen going into the last week of games, James Bracken moves into eighth with places in the top half still up for grabs and it’s the same in the shield, the youths where four qualify has two places still on offer so it will be a big night next week for the players still in contention! Stephen has the most 180s prize wrapped up with 23, Andrew has the highest checkout so far of 157 and Stephen has also the lowest leg of the tournament so far and that’s an 11 darter.
Final
Stephen Harron 4-1 Andrew Gillespie (14 dart leg and 180 Stephen)
Semi Finals
Andrew Gillespie 4-0 James Bracken
Stephen Harron 4-0 James Byrne (180 and 13 dart leg Stephen)
Quarter Finals
Andrew Gillespie 3-1 Conor McKiverigan
James Bracken 3-0 Shane Mooney
Stephen Harron 3-2 Adrian Byrne (180 x 2 Stephen)
James Byrne 3-0 David Gillespie
Second Round
Andrew Gillespie 3-0 Paidi Cunningham (180 Andrew)
Conor McKiverigan 3-0 Charlie McLaughlin
James Bracken 3-0 John Holden
Shane Mooney 3-0 Lorcan McGinley
Stephen Harron 3-0 Peter Mascenik
Adrian Byrne 3-0 Aaron Byrne
James Byrne 3-1 Christopher Byrne
David Gillespie 3-2 Dylan Curran
First Round
Conor McKiverigan 3-2 Des McGettigan
Dylan Curran 3-1 Darragh Gallagher
Peter Mascenik 3-2 Gary Doherty
Charlie McLaughlin 3-0 Declan Ellis
Stephen Harron 3-1 John Meencha (180 Stephen)
Stephen Harron won week 6 and his third overall after a 4-3 win over Andrew Gillespie in a dramatic final were Andrew came from 3-0 down to send it to a decider where he had darts to get his second weekly win in a row, Stephen hit a 131 check out 3x17 and tops, tops and had 180s in the following two legs an 11 dart leg in the third, Stephen had SEVEN 180s on the night!. Andrew hit back with a 13 dart leg and a 180 then a big 157 checkout took him to 2-3 before tying it up. In the semis Stephen came from 3-1 down against Des McGettigan where he hit 3 180s and a 12 dart leg while Des had a 180 and a 13 dart leg in a brilliant match. Andrew defeated Ryan Mackey who was making his debut 4-0.
Final
Stephen Harron 4-3 Andrew Gillespie 4 (180 x 2, 131 c/o and 15, 11 dart legs Stephen, 180 x 2, 157 c/o and 13 dart leg Andrew)
Semi Finals
Andrew Gillespie 4-0 Ryan Mackey
Stephen Harron 4-3 Des McGettigan (180 x 3 and 12 dart leg Stephen and 180 and 13 dart leg Des)
Quarter Finals
Andrew Gillespie 3-1 Paidi Cunningham
Ryan Mackey 3-2 James Byrne
Stephen Harron 3-0 Adrian Byrne (180 x 2 and 13 dart leg Stephen)
Des McGettigan 3-2 Cartha Boyle (15 dart leg Des and 114 c/o Cartha)
Second Round
Andrew Gillespie 3-1 Declan Ellis
Paidi Cunningham 3-1 Lorcan McGinley
Ryan Mackey 3-1 Gary Doherty
James Byrne 3-1 Peter Masenic
Stephen Harron 3-0 Francis McGinley
Adrian Byrne 3-0 Darragh Gallagher (180 Adrian)
Des McGettigan 3-0 Shane McLoone
Cartha Boyle 3-0 John Holden
First Round
Adrian Byrne 3-0 Charlie McLaughlin
Andrew Gillespie 3-0 John Meencha
Andrew Gillespie won week 5 of the John Harkin following a 4-3 win over John Meencha in a high quality final were he fought of a comeback from John who was 3-1 down. Both had ton plus checkouts and 6 of the 7 legs were under 17 darts, this moves Andrew to the top of the table. The big movers were James Bracken and Aaron Byrne who got to the semi finals. We had 21 players on the night, week 6 takes place on Wednesday and names to be in by 8pm.
Final
Andrew Gillespie 4-3 John Meencha (180, 13 dart leg, 116 c/o Andrew, 130 c/o John)
Semi Finals
Andrew Gillespie 4-1 Aaron Byrne (16 dart leg Aaron)
John Meencha 4-0 James Bracken
Quarter Finals
Andrew Gillespie 3-0 Des McGettigan
Aaron Byrne 3-2 Declan Ellis
John Meencha 3-0 Peter Mascenik
James Bracken 3-1 Conor McKiverigan (121 c/o James)
Second Round
Andrew Gillespie 3-1 John Holden
Des McGettigan 3-1 Adrian Byrne
Aaron Byrne 3-0 Shane McLoone
Declan Ellis 3-2 Lorcan McGinley
John Meencha 3-0 Christopher Byrne
Peter Mascenik 3-1 Francis McGinley
James Bracken 3-2 Hugh Doherty (180 Hugh)
Conor McKiverigan 3-1 Paidi Cunningham
First Round
Des McGettigan 3-0 Charlie McLaughlin
John Meencha 3-0 Adrian Byrne (Glen)
Hugh Doherty 3-2 Gary Doherty
Conor McKiverigan 3-0 James Byrne
John Holden 3-2 Shane Mooney
Stephen Harron claimed his second weekly title following a 4-1 win over Andrew Gillespie and he was in top form in the final hitting two 180s, a 115 checkout and a 15 dart leg, both players with All Ireland medals from the weekend were joined by another county player John Meencha who was beaten in the semi-final by Stephen in a tight battle with both players hitting ton plus finishes and Stephen having a 14 dart leg and two 180s. Stephen could have went out in round one where he had a tough match against Des McGettigan. We had 25 players on the night with six new names entering. Round five takes place in Evelyn’s next Wednesday at 8:30pm with names to be in by 8pm.
Final
Stephen Harron 4-1 Andrew Gillespie (180 x 2, 111 c/o and 15 dart leg Stephen)
Semi Finals
Stephen Harron 4-2 John Meencha (180 x2, 120 c/o and 14 dart leg Stephen 110 c/o John)
Andrew Gillespie 4-1 James Byrne
Quarter Finals
Stephen Harron 3-0 Conor McKiverigan
John Meencha 3-2 Adrian Byrne
Andrew Gillespie 3-1 Tiffer Molloy (15 dart leg Andrew)
James Byrne 3-2 John McHugh (180 James)
Second Round
Stephen Harron 3-0 John Holden
Conor McKiverigan 3-0 James Bracken
John Meencha 3-0 Adam Cunningham
Adrian Byrne 3-1 Aaron Byrne
Andrew Gillespie 3-0 Gary Doherty
Tiffer Molloy 3-0 Paidi Cunningham
James Byrne 3-0 Darragh Gallagher
John McHugh 3-0 Francis McGinley
First Round
Stephen Harron 3-2 Des McGettigan
Conor McKiverigan 3-0
Adrian Byrne 3-0 Charlie McLaughlin
Aaron Byrne 3-2 Shane McLoone
Gary Doherty 3-2 Eric Carr
Tiffer Molloy 3-0 Peter Molloy
Paidi Cunningham 3-0 Peadar Molloy
James Byrne 3-1 Martin Johnston
John McHugh 3-0 Lorcan McGinley
Francis McGinley 3-1 David Gillespie
Cartha Boyle won for the second week in a row following a 4-3 win over Adrian Byrne in a close fought battle meaning the three finals have gone to a deciding match, Cartha had a 151 checkout and a 12 dart leg in his quarter final win over John Meencha while Adrian could have made his exit in round one only for Paidi Cunningham not taking is chances on the doubles. The draws through up some big battles with county players meeting each other in the run up the next weekends All Irelands so it was a good night’s entertainment. We had 22 players again on the night so we will at this rate have a very good prize pot at the end of the eight weeks, back again next Wednesday at 8:30pm in Evelyn’s and names to be in by 8pm.
Youth competition for the four highest ranking youths on the table will be held on finals night, age limit is under 23 (same rule as the PDC youths).
Final
Cartha Boyle 4-3 Adrian Byrne
Semi Finals
Adrian Byrne 4-2 James Byrne (180 James)
Cartha Boyle 4-1 James Bracken
Quarter Finals
Adrian Byrne 3-0 John Holden
James Byrne 3-1 Lorcan McGinley
Cartha Boyle 3-1 John Meencha (151 c/o and 12 dart leg Cartha, 180 John)
James Bracken 3-1 Adam Cunningham
Second Round
Adrian Byrne 3-2 Paidi Cunningham (180 Adrian)
John Holden 3-2 Peter Mascenik
James Byrne 3-1 Conor McKiverigan
Lorcan McGinley 3-1 Gary Doherty
Cartha Boyle 3-0 Declan Quinn
John Meencha 3-2 Andrew Gillespie (15 dart leg John)
James Bracken 3-2 Hugh Doherty
Adam Cunningham 3-1 Shane Mooney
First Round
Conor McKiverigan 3-0 Brendan Kennedy
Andrew Gillespie 3-0 Francis McGinley
Peter Mascenik 3-1 Eric Carr
Shane Mooney 3-1 Charlie McLaughlin
Hugh Doherty 3-2 Tiffer Molloy (180 Hugh)
James Byrne 3-0 Christopher Byrne
Cartha Boyle took the honours in week two of the John Harkin Eight week league after a trilling 4-3 final win over week one winner Stephen Harron and won the deciding leg with a 113 checkout, both finalists had 4-0 wins in their semi-finals against Andrew Gillespie and James Byrne. Adrian Byrne had a 152 checkout in his win over Michael McShane in the second round that’s the highest so far.
We had 22 players on the night, same again next Wednesday at 8:30pm in Evelyn’s.
Final
Cartha Boyle 4-3 Stephen Harron (113 c/o, 15 dart leg Cartha and 180 and 103 c/o Stephen)
Semi Finals
Stephen Harron 4-0 James Byrne
Cartha Boyle 4-0 Andrew Gillespie
Quarter Finals
Stephen Harron 3-0 Paidi Cunningham
James Byrne 3-2 Adrian Byrne (100 c/o James)
Cartha Boyle 3-2 John Meencha (2 x 180s Cartha and 1 x 180 John)
Andrew Gillespie 3-1 Hugh Doherty
Second Round
Stephen Harron 3-1 Declan Quinn (180 and 12 dart leg Stephen)
Paidi Cunningham 3-1 David Gillespie
James Byrne 3-0 Lorcan McGinley
Adrian Byrne 3-0 Michael McShane (152 c/o Adrian)
Cartha Boyle 3-0 Conor McKiverigan
John Meencha 3-0 John Holden
Andrew Gillespie 3-0 Peter Mascenik
Hugh Doherty 3-0 Adam Cunningham
First Round
Stephen Harron 3-0 Francis McGinley (180 Stephen)
Hugh Doherty 3-2 Darragh Gallagher
Declan Quinn 3-0 Eric Carr
Conor McKiverigan 3-1 Tiffer Molloy
John Holden 3-0 Gary Doherty
Paidi Cunningham 3-2 James Bracken
Stephen Harron won week one of the John Harkin eight week tournament following a 4-3 win over John Meencha who came from 3-0 down and had darts at doubles to take maximum 10 points himself, in the semi-finals Stephen beat Conor McKiverigan 4-1 with Conor putting up a good show and was unfortunate with missed doubles, in the other semi John defeated Donegal teammate Andrew Gillespie 4-0. We had 20 players on the next and got started on time so thanks to everyone for being there on time, same again next Wednesday at 8:30pm in Evelyn’s.
Final
Stephen Harron 4-3 John Meencha (180 John)
Semi Finals
Stephen Harron 4-1 Conor McKiverigan (180 and 14 dart leg Stephen)
John Meencha 4-0 Andrew Gillespie
Quarter Finals
Stephen Harron 3-1 James Byrne
Conor McKiverigan 3-2 Martin Johnston
John Meencha 3-0 Adrian Byrne (112 c/o John)
Andrew Gillespie 3-0 David Gillespie (180 Andrew)
Second Round
Stephen Harron 3-1 Darragh Gallagher (180 x 2 Stephen)
James Byrne 3-1 Peter Mascenik
Conor McKiverigan 3-0 Christopher Byrne (100 c/o Conor)
Martin Johnston 3-1 Dylan Curran (180 Martin)
John Meencha 3-0 Declan Ellis (120 c/o and 15 dart leg John)
Adrian Byrne 3-1 Hugh Doherty Jnr
Andrew Gillespie 3-0 Eric Carr (14 dart leg and 120 c/o Andrew)
David Gillespie 3-2 Lorcan McGinley
First Round
Stephen Harron 3-0 Paidi Cunningham (180 and 14 dart leg Stephen)
David Gillespie 3-1 Paddy Byrne
Peter Mascenik 3-1 Francis McGinley
Martin Johnston 3-1 Adam Cunningham
Raking points as follows:
Winner - 10 points
Runner up - 8 points
Semi Finalists - 7 points
Quarter Finalists - 6 points
Last 16 - 4 points
If there are 16 plus players - 2 points
Legs won and lost will be counted on the league table.
Matches start at 8:30 SHARP names to be in by 8pm. You don’t need to enter every night your points on the night will go onto the league table with the top 8 playing in the cup and next 8 playing for the shield. Trophies for the highest checkout, least darts and most 180s. Its €10 a night and we will have a prize fund of a minimum €1,000
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