Grand Finals on Sunday, August 19th., 2007, at the Springhill Court Hotel, Kilkenny.

Paul Irving from Kildare won the 2007 Ireland Players’ Championship at the Springhill Court Hotel in Kilkenny with an impressive 6-2 victory over Northern Ireland International John Elder in the final.

This was the second running of this Championship and all of the 32 players on the day turned this event into one of the greatest feasts of darts ever seen in this country.

The high scoring and precision finishing was ’top drawer’ and the packed attendance stayed to the end to see the last eight battle it out on the stage.

First up were Brian Cathcart and Sean Marshall and this match set the scene for the rest of the matches on stage with Cathcart just getting through on a 5-4 scoreline.

John Elder defeated Jimmy Murphy 5-3 while Paul Irving had a similar win over Garrett Gray.The last man into the semi-finals was James Keogh who defeated Joe Collins 5-2 but James could not continue with that form as he lost 2-6 to Paul Irving.

In the other semi John Elder defeated Brian Cathcart 6-2.The title went to Kildare when Paul Irving defeated John Elder 6-2 in the final.

The Youths’ Championship was won by Paddy Meaney who was pushed all of the way by Sean McArdle and Kevin Mullally won the Youths’ Plate with a 3-1 victory over Shane Nolan.

There was a very exciting Ladies’ Singles organized on the day and it ended in an all-Kildare final with Susan McKenna defeating Sharon O’Brien. The beaten semi-finalists were Maureen Kelly and Janet Prendergast.

The set-up in the Springhill Court Hotel was superb and great credit must go to Joe Coyne and his crew for a magnificent presentation.

The electronic scoring and video display by Shane Johnston was excellent and the Match Program produced by Tom Tulloch was second to none.Noel McCarthy (Ladies’ organizer) and Tom Keogh (Youths’ organiser) ensured that their events finished on time and the presence of Sky Sports referee, Russ Bray, and World-ranked no.4, Terry Jenkins, on stage made it an occasion to be remembered.  

Paul Irving 6 - 2 John Elder

Paul Irving 6 - 2 James Keogh

John Elder 6 - 2 Brian Cathcart

Paul Irving 5 - 3 Garrett Gray

James Keogh 5 - 2 Joe Collins

John Elder 5 - 3 Jimmy Murphy

Brian Cathcart 5 - 4 Sean Marshall

Paul Irving 5 - 1 Mick Barry

Garrett Gray 5 - 3 Benny Grace

James Keogh 5 - 4 Jack McKenna

Joe Collins 5 - 4 Shane O’Connor

John Elder 5 - 2 Connie Finnan

Jimmy Murphy 5 - 4 Raymie Williamson

Brian Cathcart 5 - 4 Brian Doheny

Sean Marshall 5 - 3 Padraig Hester.

2007 Ireland Youths’ Championship:

Final:

Paddy Meaney 3 - 2 Sean McArdle

Semi-finals:

Paddy Meaney 3 - 0 Gary Concannon

Sean McArdle 3 - 2 Ryan Courtney

Quarter-finals :

Paddy Meaney 3 - 0 Paul Donovan

Gary Concannon 3 - 0 John McKenna

Sean McArdle 3 - 2 David Coyne

Ryan Courtney 3 - 0 T.J.Dixon