Sport

Monaghan’s Shane McGuirk wins world darts title at Lakeside

Player becomes first Irish darts player to win WDF championship, formerly BDO, beating Paul Lim in the final

Shane McGuirk, the Men's WDF World Champion. Photograph: WDF Darts on X
Shane McGuirk, the Men's WDF World Champion. Photograph: WDF Darts on X
David Gorman
Mon Dec 09 2024 - 15:23

Monaghan’s Shane McGuirk has won the WDF World Darts Championship at the Lakeside, beating Paul Lim 6-3 in the final on Sunday evening.

The 29-year-old, known as The Arrow, reached the final without dropping a set. He took a four-set lead in the final but the Singapore player fought his way back to 5-3. McGuirk though held his nerve to win the ninth set 3-0 and claim the title and a cheque for £50,000.

The 29-year-old, known as The Arrow, quickly established a four-set lead but was made to endure a nervy finish as the 70-year-old from Singapore fought his way back to 5-3.

However, McGuirk held his nerve to win the ninth set 3-0 and claim the title and a cheque for £50,000.

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Following the collapse of the British Darts Organisation in 2020, the WDF World Championship essentially replaces the BDO World Darts Championship which was last held in 2020, taking place at the famous Frimley Green venue. McGuirk becomes the first Irish winner, following in the footsteps of the likes of Raymond van Barneveld, Phil Taylor and Eric Bristow.

“It sunk in when I looked over at my family. I was so relieved to hit tops for the winning dart. It lifted a weight off my shoulders and to be world champion is something nobody can take away from me,” McGuirk told Online Darts YouTube channel. “I’m gonna ride the wave as long as I can. This is great, I’ll never experience something like this again.”

McGuirk will head next for PDC Q-School with aim of winning a PDC Tour Card, the premium world professional tour in darts.

David Gorman

David Gorman

David Gorman is a sports journalist with The Irish Times