THE Republic of Ireland Men's and Women's teams have made impressive winning starts to their Islands International team competition in Jersey.
Both sides lost just one match each on their way to defeating Guernsey in dominant displays that sets them up for a good run today.
The women's team were first in action as Dublin's Celine Mahony got them off to a winning start, before the class of the likes of Robyn Byrne, Denise Cassidy and Katie Sheldon showed as they all won their games comfortably enough to open up a commanding 4-0 lead.
Guernsey, to their credit, pegged them back a little when Debbie Hamon defeated Leitrim's Olive McIntyre.
However, Cavan's Teresa King ensured it would be short lived joy for Guernsey as she restored Ireland's four point lead, before Galway's Caroline Breen capped off a 6-1 win with a straight legs victory over Tracy Ingrouille.
It was then over to the Republic of Ireland men's team and they, too, showed they were in imperious form right from the start.
Ireland captain Stephen Rosney got them up and running with a 3-1 win in the opening match, before Cork's JohnPaul Dowdall fired in a brilliant 14-dart leg to win a last leg decider in his match.
Donegal's Adrian Devine put on one of the best performances of the day as he averaged 100.2 in a 3-0 win over Carl Gauvain.
The Irish lads were in no mood to let up, with the Waterford trio of Patrick Quinn, Eric Power and Dean Finn all claiming wins, as did the Donegal duo of Gerard McGlynn and Cartha Boyle.
Ireland eventually racked up a commanding 13-1 win, with Killian McCormack, Dale McCarthy and Edward McDonald all winning too, and just Dublin's Lewis Ireland on the receiving end of a defeat.
Both teams will be back in action today when they will be aiming to pick up further wins over the Isle Of Man and Jersey.
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