Shane McGuirk has become the second Irish darts player in two days to secure his professional PDC Tour Card at Q School in the UK.
Monaghan man McGuirk will join Niall Culleton on the PDC Pro Tour for the next two years after claiming one of the two tour cards up for grabs in Milton Keynes today.
"This is one of the best days of my life" declared 2024 WDF world champion McGuirk.
McGuirk was in sensational form all day at the Arena MK; averaging well over 90 in all six of his games to claim his spot in the PDC.
The 30-year-old secured his card with a 6-2 victory over rising English star Charlie Manby. Manby recently made it to the last 16 of the PDC World Championships at Ally Pally.
McGuirk had to show some amazing grit early on to overcome some tight tussles in the early rounds before he fully kicked into gear.
The Monaghan man overcame England's Henry Coates and Ted Evetts in last leg deciders before he romped through his next three games against Alan Hunt, Robbie Martin and Nick Cocks.
33 Darts to win the final two legs
McGuirk losing just three legs. That set up his do-or-die clash with Manby, to decide who would gain their PDC tour card for the next two years.
After the first five legs went with throw, McGuirk finally managed to grab a crucial break in the sixth leg, to open up a 4-2 lead. The Monaghan man closed out the game from there by winning the final two legs in just 33 darts.
"Last year I came into Q School as a world champion and I think I put too much pressure on myself” said McGuirk.
"But this year has been incredible. I played well in the first two days and I thought 'this is it'.
"I'm actually buzzing as this has been a long road for me over the past few years. I thank everybody at home for believing in me. This is one of the best days of my life."
There is still the chance of more Irish tour cards with one day of play to go. Both Steve Lennon and Stephen Rosney are in the top ten in the Q School Order of Merit table, well within touching distance of the top five that will also earn tour cards at the end of play tomorrow.
