Darts Skills And Tricks, Co. Cork, Ireland 1968

A professional darts player demonstrates his expertise in a Cork pub.
For a long time the game of darts has been strongly associated with the English pub. The game is now growing in popularity across Ireland.
Many pubs now have their own darts team who play in inter-pub and inter-town leagues.
Denis who plays darts seven nights a week offers some reasons for the growth of the game. In Blarney he says there is nothing else to do apart from going to the pub and while there people play darts. Another player says he takes the game very seriously. Pub owner Johnny, says the growth in the popularity darts means more business for the bar. A game of darts can be a boisterous affair in a pub predominated by men.
English darts player Joe Hitchcock has been touring Ireland giving demonstrations of the game. He has played and beaten leading darts player in Britain and Ireland. In the process, he has raised thousands of pounds for charity as well as earning a living by doing brewery sponsored demonstrations.
Joe Hitchcock has been playing darts for the past 34 years.
Joe Hitchcock puts on a show and can knock a cigarette or a match stick out of the mouth of a volunteer with a dart. In 34 years he has only lost six darts matches. He puts the growing popularity of the game in Ireland down to people travelling more. Men enjoy the game in England and bring it back home to Ireland. Joe Hitchcock has praise for the volunteers who give him the opportunity to perform his tricks and says that he would not be so brave.
A ‘Newsbeat’ report broadcast on 20 November 1968. The reporter is Michael Ryan.

[@thomasburke2683]

Good to see a very youthful Michael Ryan. He was always a good rte reporter. Hard to believe that it was 55-56 years ago.

[@jamesbradshaw3389]

What a fine bunch of fine-looking and well-dressed men I have always thought that some people from Cork speak like people from some parts of Wales. That very fine upstanding and most honourable English man Joe Hitchcock putting on the show in the most professional and gentlemanly manner with his Sean Lemass hairstyle

[@MiloAnglin05]

Have you ever Read the welsh and the shaping of early modern Ireland ? If not it’s a great read, and details a lot about the welsh role in the Munster plantations from 1572-1662.

[@TheSWCantina]

@@MiloAnglin05 James would love that, I'd say. He has a planter name and he shills for destructive mass migration like the Plantations.

[@Frank-qs3pe]

Everyone in suits at the pub playing darts….🍻

[@declantwomey7525]

Class 🎉

[@woodendoors9532]

I'm sure they spent half the night talking about how they need foreign immigrants.

[@woodendoors9532]

@@johnbalance3989 Was he in that room?

[@woodendoors9532]

@@unatwomey7112 Bobby Sands: There can never be peace in Ireland until the foreign, oppressive, British presence is removed, leaving all the Irish people as a unit to control their own affairs and determine their own destinies as a sovereign people, free in mind and body, separate and distinct physically, culturally and economically

[@jamesbradshaw3389]

sounds like you are very worried about something, what is troubling you

[@woodendoors9532]

@@jamesbradshaw3389 Ask the rape victims.

[@maryfox7440]

Like a hole in the head !!!

[@shutup2751]

wow sad to see the lack of diversity, plus everyone seems way too happy and community spirited

[@UlrichMcBeardface]

It’s a darts video bud, consider taking a day off.

[@purplepanther2771]

@@unatwomey7112 Call Bullwinkle. You found Natasha.

[@othala7540]

Shame to few pakistanies?

[@purplepanther2771]

@@johnbalance3989 Hmmm. Maybe he's saying shame to the few Pakistanis who hate darts (I dunno).

[@othala7540]

@@purplepanther2771 Ahahah in me head The Corries scotland the Brave comical version popped up

[@purplepanther2771]

@@othala7540 I believe you, but I'm a Yank. What do I know?