Shane McGuirk has become Ireland’s first senior world champion in darts after beating the legendary Paul Lim – who made the final at a remarkable 70 years of age – in the WDF Lakeside World Championship final. The 6-3 victory was sealed on double 20, crowning the Monaghan man champion at the legendary Lakeside venue.
His opponent, the legendary ‘Singapore Slinger’, was the only person to take any sets off McGuirk who was flawless on his way to the final. A 90.31 average and nine 180’s was enough for the former Irish Open champion to dispatch of Lim – who to his credit is also a holder of darting history – being the first man to hit a nine-darter at a world championships.
Speaking to Blaze TV after his historic triumph, McGuirk said, “I can’t believe what’s just after happening,”.
He continued, “I just kept thinking to myself, ‘you have the lead, you have the start you needed, just keep going and eventually it will come’. Lucky enough it did come for me at the end.”
The win entitles McGuirk to not only the title of world champion but also to £50,000 in tournament prize money.
To sum up his feelings on his achievement, McGuirk expressed, “I can’t believe it. I’m world champion.”