Darts columnist Michael Flatley-Roberts profiles Bolton's top professional Joe Murnan who has some big dates coming up

THIS week I will again focus on upcoming events in and around Bolton in the darting world.

November is a busy month on the darting calendar with three televised events in the PDC, one of which will include one of Bolton’s locals.

My focus this week will be on Joe ‘Shaggy’ Murnan who has had his best year to date in the PDC and is currently ranked 53rd in the world.

It hasn’t always been plain sailing this year for Murnan after he missed out at Q-school on qualification for a tour card. Many people would have been downhearted and disappointed, but not him. He wanted to show the world what he could do.

Murnan has played in 54 competitions already this year all over Europe and has tasted success on three occasions in two PDC challenge tour events and one players’ championship event.

The player’s championship event was a win which let the world know who Joe is.

I have attended several players’ championship events over the last three years since I become a marker and the standard of these events is out of this world.

Nobody expected him to win the competition that day. He beat three world-class players on the way to a memorable win – Vincent van der Voort, Stephen Bunting and Dave Chisnall all falling to our local star who averaged just short of 100 in the final against Chisnall.

Murnan’s form means he has qualified for the Cash Converters Players Championship which will be held at Butlins between November 27 and 29. He will be facing the man whom he beat in the final, Dave Chisnall in what should be a great game live on ITV4.

Murnan has an exhibition coming up on Friday, November 20, at the Toll Bar Inn in Horwich. This is free and the event will start at 8pm.

Finally I will give all you keen darters a heads-up about a new league in the town on Saturday nights at the Roundhouse.

The Tungsten League is an individual’s league in Bolton run by the players themselves and is aimed at both men and women and anyone can enter. If you are interested in joining the league please get in touch with Wayne Merrick on 07845 845250.

Next week will be the first of my match reports and I will be attending a Section Three game for the first game. The game is still to be announced. Have a great weekend guys and all the best for the new season.