Cork Challenge Cup

Saturday the 20th of September the Joker Juniors set out for the Munster Arms in Bandon to attend the Cork Challenge Cup. With a very Junior team who the majority had never been to any competitive dart environment we had one goal and that was to have fun as a team and learn. Aged 6 to 11 years old we had all agreed we as a team wanted one leg only as we had been working hard on doubles. We surpassed that mission winning 2 whole games 2-0, 2-0 meaning we collectively won 4 legs. Our team goal now smashed and we were delighted. We were happy our goal met but now the kids had momentum they had a confidence and now a dart event was no longer a scary thought. 

Our older academy players were all playing on the Cork county teams as they should be but this was a small taster to juniors, to show them what the older Kids in the academy, that they look up to actually play for on a regular bases. The Joker academy members on the Cork teams were so uplifting to the junior team, practicing with them before the competition, celebrating their leg wins and cheering for them. The Juniors felt like they belonged and of course they do. The older players in the hall were in general so lovely and kind towards our Junior team you should all be proud. The older teams offered to mark our games and in general helped the Juniors along. Waterford who knocked us out in the shield knock out section in particular showed us amazing kindness and patience as little legs and arms were tiring and they spurred our Juniors along showing the great community and sportsmanship that is in darts. The Youth Dart School a fellow Target academy also went above and beyond for us, marking our games and whilst they towered above the Juniors they showed patience as our team worked out their first game in competitive darts. The Limerick team in our group also exhibited amazing patience and sportsmanship towards the Juniors in their game. You all did your counties and Academies so proud. 

New found goals now the Juniors are mad to play their next tournament and that was the goal to make sure their first venture into competitive Darts was a very positive experience and that they could see what it is all about. These kids are for the most part only playing six months so to see them miss doubles and be competitive was a very proud moment for me personally. It means what we are doing is working. We were a Team so well done to the Academies first ever competitive Dart team The Joker Juniors our Captain Rian Power, Jake Long, Maisie O Shea, Ruairi Power, Joey O Sullivan, Jay Lynch, Darragh Byrne, and Logan Hurley. Big thanks to all the parents who are the only reason we can do this with such a young team your support and help is very appreciated.  

Big thanks to Cork County Youths who hosted the amazing competition and to Richard Moloney who answered any questions we had as we registered our first team on the academies newest learning curve. 

And as a special note a big thanks to Rory Power team Manger who was thrown in and the deep end and did a fantastic job.