John MaGowan

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John Magowan
Personal information
Nickname Mr Magoo
Date of birth June 10, 1941 (1941-06-10) (age 67)
Place of birth Newtownards, co. Down, Northern Ireland
Home town Donaghadee, co. Down, Northern Ireland
Darts information
Playing darts since
Darts 22g Hi-Tec Multi Ring
Walk-on music {{{music}}}
Organisation (see split in darts)
Current World Ranking 45
World Ch'ship 3rd Rd 2005
World Grand Prix QF 2005
UK Open SF 2006
Desert Classic 2nd Rd 2006

John MaGowan (born June 10, 1941 in Newtownards, County Down) is a Northern Irish darts player who competes for the Professional Darts Corporation. He uses the nickname Mr. Magoo for his matches.

A veteran darts player, John is highly respected by fellow pros. He made his debut in a televised tournament at the 2003 World Grand Prix before reaching the quarter-finals of the same event two years later.

That run to the last eight captured the imagination of the public and also saw him whisked to his son's wedding by helicopter before returning to the Citywest Hotel for his quarter-final game.

John has won a host of titles in Northern Ireland, including being national champion three times, and he qualified for the 2005 Ladbrokes.com World Championship, he lost to Dennis Priestley in the first round on his Purfleet debut.

[edit] 2006 UK Open

John had one of his best tournaments in the 2006 UK Open Darts when he made it to the semi-finals beating Kevin Painter, Matt Clark, Adrian Lewis and Robbie Green on route before losing 11-7 to the to be winner of the tournament Raymond Van Barneveld. He collected £7,500 in prize money.

[edit] Local Darts

John is a local legend in Donaghadee, throwing mainly for 'The Bankies' - Meadowbank Social Club. The only player in the area to compete with John, is Robert 'Bobo' Giovannoli, another local legend in his own right.

John has also appeared on Bullseye in his younger day with fellow Meadowbank member Andy Brunn. They won the competition but unfortunately the ultimate prize of the caravan was a bridge too far.

Several of the younger local players have modelled themselves on John. John Ashwood being one of these, his nicknames range from 'Little John' to 'Mini Magoo'.