Islander Margaret Kelly enjoyed a money-spinning weekend at the 30th Isle of Man International Darts Festival but more importantly, stamped her authority on the world darts scene.
 
The Ballasalla chucker not only reached the last eight in the tournament’s warm-up event on the Thursday evening - the Specsavers Isle of Man Women’s Classic - but she followed it up by reaching the last eight in the prestige Isle of Man singles.
 
In reaching the quarter finals, she becomes the first Manx woman to do so in the history of the festival over the past three decades.
 
Colin Tyrer reached the last eight in the 2009 men’s event and Wayne Harrison was a losing semi finalist in 1993 but that was when he played as a visitor, before taking up residency on the island.
 
Kelly lost out to in-form Paula Jacklin – who made her world championship debut in January – in the Specsavers event.
 
And although Kelly failed to make the last four in the Saturday singles competition, she exited amongst exalted company including last year’s Manx champ Lorraine Winstanley and nine times world champion Trina Gulliver MBE.
 
For her efforts Kelly collected British Darts Organisation Category C and Category A rankings points, which can provide the doorway to an appearance in the Lakeside World Championships. She also picked up ?150 for reaching the last eight and a further ?100 from the Steam Packet Company for being the most successful women islander.
 
In the men’s singles Glen Morley was the top Manx performer, reaching the last 32 where he crashed to new England international Mark McGeeney, who went on to reach the quarter finals.
 
Morley pocketed ?40 for reaching the last 32, plus  a bonus payment of ?150 from the Steam Packet Company for being the most successful male islander. He also collected ?100 from Douglas’ Quids Inn as the islander with the highest checkout – 117. Additionally he collects rankings points.