Northern Irish Perfection on the Pro Tour

2023 Northern Ireland World Cup of Darts pairing Daryl Gurney and Brendan Dolan included perfect 9 dart legs in Players Championship Events 25 and 27 on the 2023 PDC Pro Tour. The History Maker hit his 9 darter against Martijn Kleermaker finishing 144 after scores of 180 and 177, whilst Superchin’s came 2 days later in his opening game of the day against Nick Fullwell.

Brendan went on to reach the Semi Finals of Event 25 where he lost out in the Semi Finals against another Northern Irishman in Josh Rock, averaging 99.47 as his best score of the day in his 6-3 Quarter Final win over Kleermaker.

Dolan claimed a title on the Pro Tour last year after beating former Premier League winner Jonny Clayton 8-5 in the Final of Event 21 at the Barnsley Metrodome. The Northern Irishman has continued with his strong form into 2023, defeating Michael van Gerwen 10-7 in the opening round of the Dutchman’s title defence at the Winter Gardens.

The 50-year-old sits in 30^th on the Pro Tour Order of Merit after the conclusion of Players Championship 28 on Saturday, ahead of the likes of Dimitri van den Bergh, Raymond van Barneveld, and Players Championship 19 winner Callan Rydz.

Daryl Gurney reached the Last 32 of Players Championship 27 at the Barnsley Metrodome, starting his day with a 9-dart leg in a 6-5 victory over Nick Fullwell, striking perfection in the last leg decider to reach the Second Round.

The former World Grand Prix winner bought his form into his next match on Friday against Ian White, averaging 117.12 in whitewashing his opponent 6-0. The Northern Irishman lost out against Ryan Searle in the Last 32, with Heavy Metal scoring 105.82 in a 6-2 victory.

Superchin though continues his strong year where he so far has reached the Semi Finals on the European Tour, losing out to eventual Austrian Darts Open Champion Jonny Clayton in Graz. Gurney also included an impressive display to beat Gary Anderson 11-4 in the Last 16 of the Betfred World Matchplay with a 104.43 average, not missing a dart at double in the opening 6 legs.

Daryl has also dominated at the European Tour Card qualifying events, failing to qualify for just 2 of the 13 events held in 2023 which has seen him secure a spot at this year’s European Championship at the Westfalenhallen in Dortmund.

The Winmau duo will both appear at the 2023 Machineseeker European Championship with Daryl Gurney facing compatriot and World Youth Champion Josh Rock, whilst Brendan Dolan takes on the recent World Grand Prix Champion and World Number 4 Luke Humphries in the First Round on Thursday live on ITV 4 and Viaplay.

By Harry Masterson