Shane McGuirk made darting history for Ireland on Sunday evening, defeating Paul Lim 6-3 in the Men’s WDF World Championship.
Lim had been the revelation of this year’s tournament with a string of upset victories in his first Lakeside appearance in 30 years, and had four darts to take the first set. He was unable to convert them though, and McGuirk punished him.
From there it started to resemble one-way traffic, with McGuirk defying stunning 97 and 132 finishes to take a high-quality second set.
The Irishman took the third 3-0, before taking the fourth 3-1, a 13-darter moving him 4-0 up and within two sets of the title.
After the second break Lim was able to get on the board and end McGuirk’s run of 21 consecutive sets in this tournament without reply, holding throw three times to win it 3-2.
Lim hit a fantastic 144 finish in the fifth set but it was a big finish for McGuirk that sealed him the sixth, a 110 against the darts moving him 5-1 up.
‘The Arrow’ broke Lim’s throw twice in set seven to throw for the match but he was unable to get a match dart, Lim taking out 120 and then 60 to keep his hopes alive.
Things got even better for ‘The Singapore Slinger’ in set eight, the 70-year-old winning three legs on the spin to make it 5-3 and threatening the improbable comeback.
He couldn’t make further inroads though, with McGuirk composing himself after the final break to take the last set 3-0, following up a 95 out by pinning tops with the last dart in hand.
McGuirk finished with a 90.31 average and with victory becomes Ireland’s first senior darts world champion.
Photos: Chris Sargeant/Tip Top Pics
