Turkish delight for Bellew and Madden
DARTS
Darts duo Terry Bellew and Paul Madden returned home from a week in the famous holiday resort of Didim in Turkey earlier this summer - but they weren't flying back after a few relaxing days on the beach or visiting local historical sites.
Instead they were in the resort to take part in a darts tournament. As well as the craic, the laughs, the normal bit of banter, there was some serious business to be attended to also.
Bellew and Madden were part of the British and Irish Arrows squad ( a selection of players similar to the Lions in rugby) who participated in the tournament - and the experience of playing in Turkey clearly left a lasting impression on the two Meath players.
"It was a great experience, it's something we will never forget," said Bellew who is originally from Wilkinstown but has lived in Navan for many years.
It turned out to be a particularly memorable adventure for Bellew as he remained unbeaten throughout the week. On day one Bellew and Andrew Gillespie from Donegal won their game defeating Madden and his partner Englishman Paul Whitlow, in the doubles final. On the Sunday the Arrows took on the Didim champions and won. Then the Arrows defeated a Turkish selection before tackling Wales and winning that game 9-4.
Just the two players from Meath - Bellew and Madden, who is from Trim - were part of the Arrows squad on this occasion. "I played against Paul on the first day but all the rest of the time I played alongside him and it was a great privilege to do so, he is great darts player. The Irish Arrows were successful in all their games. We joined the UK Arrows to play play a Turkish selection and that was a sweet victory too."
Five players from Ireland were originally selected on the British and Irish Arrows squad. However a trip is planned for a tournament in Coventry in October. The travelling party for that particular tournament will include two more Royal County throwers - Paul Keogh from Ashbourne and Jimmy Murray from Longwood.
Bellew has many years experience playing darts and he has met some of the biggest names in the sport. Now in his early sixties, he has played with many clubs and represented Meath at various times in his career since he was 16. He was helped in his sport by an ability to concentrate and calculate quickly what he needed to get with with the next dart - a double 20, double 10, whatever.
Over the years he has met many of the biggest names in the sport including the player he really admires, Phil 'The Power' Taylor. In Turkey, for instance, he played alongside former BDO World champion Wayne Warren.
Last November Bellew was part of an Irish Arrows team that took on a UK selection. That too was a special trip but few encounters will match the adventures in Turkey where Bellew says he enjoyed the darts and made friends in what was a memorable sporting occasion.