Don’t dismiss Darts’ cup chances, warns coach Ingle
And, while UCC Demons have been putting forward the Cork claims, Dart Killester’s coach, Mark Ingle, warned last evening that they are not to be dismissed.
The Dubliner is one of the most astute coaches in the game and when he speaks it is hardly surprising that everyone sits up and takes notice and his message last evening was a clear warning to Sx3 Star that the result of the second semi final this evening is by no means a foregone conclusion.
“Star are being put forward as the favourites on account of the fact that they lead the league now but it should be remembered that there is no more than the bounce of the ball between them and ourselves,” he insisted.
“Between tournaments and whatever we have played each other seven times this season and we have beaten them six times.” Star’s victory last time around was in controversial circumstances when some refereeing decisions which eventually decided the game had the Killester coach fuming.
“But that’s all behind us now and we are quite confident going into this game,” he said reflecting on the fact that Star’s record in the cup is not at all good.
They have made the semi-final stages on several occasions but the only rewards they have to show for their efforts were runners-up medals from 1999 when they lost Notre Dame in the final and last year when they were defeated by BurgerKing Limerick.
They will meet a Killester team all fired up this afternoon. That loss a couple of weeks ago probably cost the Dubliners their league chances but this game is not about revenge.
“This is our opportunity to salvage the season and put some silverware on the sideboard,” Coach Ingle insisted. “Star have been there a number of times and they will probably ask themselves whey they have not succeeded.
“We have been there too and we won the Cup two years ago. That accounts for something going into a contest like this. Tradition in any sport means something.
“And some of our players who have been striving for fitness are now fully fit. Jerome Westbrooks has come off a long injury. He is fully fit and he wants to end his career on a high not so we can expect a big game from him.
“Damien Sealy and Jonathan Grennell are at their peak right now and our Americans have been very consistent all season.
“But we are in the happy position that we don’t have to rely solely on any one player. We have days when Daniel will hit 33 points and then Paddy Kelly will pop up the next week and score 26.
“And I don’t see us letting John Leahy score 35 points. Scott Summersgill has been playing a big role for Star this season. He will be watched just as we will be watched. That’s how coaches do it and I am being honest when I say that there is no more than the bounce of a ball between us.”
Apart from Sealy and Grennell, the British/Australian, Huw Wardrope has emerged as one of the best ‘Bosman’ players in the SuperLeague this season.
He represented Australia in the junior world championships and has been averaging 18 ppg. He could pose the biggest threat to Star this afternoon when they will have quite a number of players to pin down. Notre Dame may be the hot favourites to take UCC Demons in the other semi-final but the Cork side were given a taste of just the kind of reception they can expect of they can defy the odds yesterday morning when they were given a huge send off at the Mardyke Arena.
And Coach Pat Price was oozing confidence as they departed pointing out that they had as big a claim as anyone to the trophy.
“I honestly believe that we can win this one,” he said. “I think everyone in the squad is pretty confident and they are really looking forward to it.”
While Shane Coughlan was on the treatment bench for a bruised thigh muscle all week he was confident enough that their rock solid guard would be fit to take his place. He was full of praise for the Irish players and they way they have responded to the challenge and said he was very encouraged by the way they bounced back this week after losing to ITP Saints on Sunday.
Brian Clernon, fully recovered from the injury that dogged him earlier in the season, has been leading by example and was described by the coach as the total player.
“It leaves me with so many options,” he said. “I have no hesitation in saying he is the best Irish player in the league right now.”
They have an excellent American in James Singleton who helped Waterford Crystal to the SuperLeague title last year as Player of the Year.
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