Brendan Dolan will join compatriot Josh Rock at World Cup of Darts

Brendan Dolan has decided the battle with Daryl Gurney for a spot in the Northern Ireland selection for the World Cup of Darts in his favor. That means 'The History Maker' will play alongside Josh Rock at the World Cup of Darts.

Basically, a country's two highest-ranked players are invited to the World Cup of Darts. Rock has been Northern Ireland's new number one for more than half a year and therefore previously secured a spot at the country's tournament.

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Dolan and Gurney were in a battle between them to determine who would go with Rock to Frankfurt. The denouement of this battle was last weekend at the Dutch Darts Championship.

Leading up to the tournament, the difference in the world rankings was only 500 pounds in Dolan's favor. The former World Grand Prix finalist managed to grind out his first round at the Euro Tour tournament in Rosmalen, taking a little more distance from his rival. However, if Gurney won in the second round of the Dutch Darts Championship, and Dolan lost in that round, the available spot would still go to "Superchin.

However, Gurney lost 6-4 to Luke Woodhouse in the second round, ending his chances for good. It was extra sour for Gurney that Dolan then also went down in the second round against Martin Schindler (6-4).

So for now, Dolan remains one of the four players to have participated in all editions since the inception of the World Cup of Darts in 2010. William O'Connor, Mensur Suljovic and Simon Whitlock also have not missed a single edition.

Dolan managed to reach the semifinals at the Nations Tournament twice in the past. In 2014 he did so alongside Mansell, and in 2016 Dolan reached the last four with Gurney. Perhaps Northern Ireland can go far again this year, as Rock proved to be in top form by winning the Dutch Darts Championship.

Josh Rock will make his debut at this year's World Cup of Darts and, moreover, as the best Northern Irishman, is also the team's immediate captain