Teenage Stirling darts ace Sophie McKinlay lands senior title aged 13
by Donald Morton, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/authors/donald-morton/Young Stirling darts star Sophie McKinlay has made history in her sport by landing the senior Scottish Ladies Singles title – at the tender age of 13.
The Wallace High School pupil is believed to be the youngest player ever to land a senior darts title after her thrilling 5-4 win over Margaret Ferguson in the final on Saturday at Glenrothes.
It’s the latest title for young Sophie who trains at Cowie Miners Welfare with the Central Youth Academy after moving there last year from the Greater Glasgow squad.
Last summer, Sophie – who is part of the Scottish youth darts squad for 2020 – collected two medals at the Europe Youth Cup in Ankara, Turkey.
The 13 year-old Wallace High School pupil played in the singles and partnered 16 year-old Chloe O’Brien from Blairgowrie in the pairs.
The duo reached the final against an England side featuring world girls champion Beau Greaves, who played in the recent BDO World Championships, and partner Shannon Reeves, losing 4-3 in the final.
At Glenrothes, it was third time lucky for Sophie and revenge for defeat by Margaret on her first appearance.
“She beat me the first time I was in the tournament in 2018 and last year I got to the semi-final so it was good to get to the final this time,” said Sophie.
Her success bettered the effort from England’s Fallon Sharrock, who won her first national title at the aged of 15; Fallon recently stunned the darts world at the PDC World Championships by becoming the first woman to celebrate victory at the high-profile event after defeating Ted Evetts then Austrian star Mensur Suljovic.
Sophie is back in action this weekend at Cowie at the Central Youth Open but her next big tournament is the Scottish Open from February 14-16 at the Normandy Hotel, Renfrew when some of the world’s top stars will be in action.
Anyone who would like to sponsor the young darts star can contact Rona McKechnie on 07546 808188.