LAST UPDATE | 9 Jun 2019
AN HEROIC EFFORT by Steve Lennon and Willie O’Connor was almost enough to see the Republic of Ireland crowned champions at the World Cup of Darts.
After eliminating Greece, England, Austria and Netherlands, the Irish duo advanced to this evening’s final at the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany.
However, Lennon and O’Connor — who hail from Carlow and Limerick respectively — were finally beaten by Scotland’s Gary Anderson and Peter Wright.
Ireland caused a major shock yesterday by defeating top seeds England to set up a quarter-final against Austria, which they won earlier today.
Lennon and O’Connor upset the odds again in the semi-finals when they got the better of Netherlands — last year’s winners — who were represented by Jermaine Wattimena and three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.
What a performance from the Irish boys here too...
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 9, 2019
They beat the likes of England and The Netherlands on the way as they lit up this tournament!#BVDarts pic.twitter.com/1dlaKI1tbk
The final began promisingly for the Irish pair as Lennon drew first blood in his singles match against Anderson. But Scotland then took a 2-1 lead after Wright defeated O’Connor, which was followed by a 4-0 trouncing for the Scots in the doubles.
With three points required to take the title, the margin for error was slim for Lennon as he squared off against Wright. Unfortunately he fell short by going down 4-1, but the Irish duo can emerge with their heads held high nevertheless.
Despite being one of the unseeded teams in the tournament, they took out three of the eight seeds — England (1st), Netherlands (4th) and Austria (8th) — en route to the final.
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Jose plays too much defensive football to adapt to that style of play. Football has moved on if Jose doesn’t win a major cup this year( CL or PL ) it can be seen as a failure as Jose has always won either or if not both in his first two seasons at a club ( respective league where he managed not necessarily PL )
@Jamie Smith: obsessed
@Jamie Smith: football can be played in different ways. You’re going on as if United are battling relegation and not in the champions league. I think Jose not winning the PL is more of a sign of how shite most of the man united players are as opposed to his management style. He’s literally the best manager of his generation by a hefty distance. It’s not even debatable. Recency bias is the only thing saying otherwise.
@Brian: it’s either him or pep, both a long way down from fergie
@Brian: to say it’s not even debatable is crazy it’s most definitely debatable.
@Gary O’Hanlon: only argument here is … pep was handed money and big squads .. Porto winning champions league has to be biggest achievement any of them have ever had
“Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United will struggle to catch Manchester City this season.”
Let it never be said that we’re living through an era of too much football coverage when we’re still getting riveting takes.
Have to agree with Rooney. City and Liverpool play some of the best ball ever seen in England. Put them up there with Dalglish team of 88/89. Both clubs are going to be evn better next season. Mourinho has to change. That football is not what United are about. Valencia at RB tells you all you need to know. Ultra defensive.
@England’s Envy:
No mention of the Pool in the article.
Though I agree Jose is more conservative/pragmatic in his approach, playing Valencia at right back, one of the best wingers in the premiership who breaks forward at every opportunity and scores good goals cannot be classified as defensive minded.
@Niccolo Saccho: I know it’s madness. And he is played at RB. And coupled with donkey Smalling and The Next Duncan Edwards (jones). Sad and blind and Rojo can’t get in.
@England’s Envy: but they didn’t cost 75m !! Even combined hahahahahaha plus I think they have actually won some trophies
@England’s Envy:
Best defensive record in the league though. 1 less goal conceded than City, 13 less than the Pool, 17 less than Arsenal. Hard to argue with that.
Having the best keeper in Europe probably helps too.
Eric Bailly is sorely missed though. A rock at the heart of the defence.
@Mr Nimziki: No i suppose so, but Poggers cost twice that and couldn’t get a game the weekend. Even after another man of the match award at Wembley. And I’m hoping you will keep it nice this time. Ok !
@Mr Nimziki: different times
City are playing well and nobody will catch them go down to the bookies and collect your dosh now but they’re not as good as Wenger’s Invincibles and can’t see them winning The Champers no way much better teams around Europe right now Barcelona, Real, PSG, Juventus, Bayern they’ve a long way to go to catch that lot anyway please God Pep doesn’t start that Tiki Taka nonsense styled upon Dutch Total Football which resulted on the worst World Cup in living memory when Spain lifted the trophy a few years ago as one commentator remarked: Like watching a boa constrictor slowly strangulating a rodent to death.
#LeaveEnglishFootballAloneIt’sGrand.
@Niccolo Saccho: City are probably better than all the teams you just mentioned. In fairness to you, you’re doing a great job at keeping up the pretence that you know what you’re talking about. I wouldn’t even know how much of a lunatic you are, if I hadn’t seen the nonsensical drivel you constantly spew on the journal.
@Coner Willis:
Come back to me at the end of the season, if Man City win the Champers I’ll eat my hat.
@Niccolo Saccho: how will he find you when you change accounts every couple of weeks?
@Niccolo Saccho: I won’t be able to find you by the end of the season because by then you’ll have been banned and forced to change your name a good 6 or 7 times. Just do yourself a favour and turn off your computer and go for a walk. Buy a dog. Find some meaning in life other than constantly rambling about nonsense on internet comment sections.
@Coner Willis:
‘Find some meaning in life other than constantly rambling about nonsense on internet comment sections’
**IRONY-ALERT**
@Niccolo Saccho: Please don’t tell me that Niccolo is Alan B/Marcus?
@An Observer:
Never heard of the guy.
@Coner Willis:
‘start talking to someone because face to face communication is much more fulfilling than embittered arguing with random strangers on the internet’
You sound quite angry there. Actually I find that amateur psychologists are usually the most angry people in society.
Just an observation.
ps
Seeking solace in alcohol is not the solution, you’ll end up with an alcohol problem.
Try AA.
@Niccolo Saccho: Okay Niccolo, keep running away from your problems if thats all you know how to do. For both our sakes I won’t reply to you anymore.
@Coner Willis:
Have you tried the argument clinic? Special offers currently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y
@Coner Willis:
‘ For both our sakes I won’t reply to you anymore’
Your 5 minutes was up in either case.
(special offer on 10 minute arguments today)
@Coner Willis:
Before you go…any opinion on the article? Would love to hear your assessment of Rooney’s appraisal of the Man City situation?
Feel free.
@Peter:
Peter, I only have time for a 5 minute argument right now.
OK, let’s get started……………..
Peter, you are a footballing ignoramus.
(awaiting your reply)
@Niccolo Saccho: the villa fan who never comments on villa
@Gary O’Hanlon:
A Villa article on the Journal?
As rare as a hen’s tooth.
@Niccolo Saccho: one here two days ago and not sight nor sound of you lad, but an article about pep or man united and you’re all over it, funny that
@Gary O’Hanlon:
More substantial matters.
@Niccolo Saccho: that’s a very stupid comment .describing yourself there . gets pathetic after your first account gets blocked ..you will prob be banned again for talking about mental illness in an alcohol problem
@Niccolo Saccho: no no no cmon the 42 better sign up proof .. My god that’s not an argument with Peter .. that’s a very lame attempt of an insult . “Ignoramus” and you don’t really have arguments on a forum imo ?? would either be debated or even a heated discussion .. that’s if your not an imbecile and too childish .. know I shall block you .good day to you sir .
Take note Jose, you’re even boring your players to death!
@Caoimhin O’Murchadha: Rooney plays for Everton
@FPL Thommo: You do remember he played for Utd when Jose was the manager yeah? I mean that is mentioned in the article…or are you just ignoring his comments and burying your head in the sand?
@Caoimhin O’Murchadha: lads the league table doesn’t lie…. United are second. Not 18th
@Teddyzigzagbigbag: https://twitter.com/paddypower/status/960540678093668354 sums em up brilliantly
@Teddyzigzagbigbag: That’s a question that will be answered when the seasons over I suppose, I’d agreed it doesn’t lie though…6th last season wasn’t it?
‘I think Guardiola is putting the foundations in place of trying to emulate that Barcelona team’
Don’t know about that. Players such as Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Pique, Mascherano don’t pop up in the January window that often.