"It's my turn and if I win, you never know, I could go on and win the title" - Brendan Dolan out for revenge against Gerwyn Price after tight Ally Pally defeat three years ago

Despite winning fewer legs, having a lower average and a worse checkout percentage, Brendan Dolan advanced to the third round, at the expense of his good friend Mickey Mansell, following a thrilling encounter on Friday afternoon at the World Darts Championships.

"I'm a wee bit deflated, a bit sapped. There was so much energy put into that and it lasted so long. There were so many lucky spells in the game that I took control when I did and if I hadn't, I could have been railroaded," Dolan reflected in his post-match press conference. "I feel for Mickey because I love him to bits. I want him to do so well on the tour but not against me. He pushed me to the limit there and I just about had enough."

Multiple-time World Cup of Darts partners for Northern Ireland, Dolan and Mansell have a close friendship. As such, it made this match one of the toughest of Dolan's career. "100% The only tougher game I could've had would be playing against my brother," Dolan says. "He is part of the family and it makes it so tough because I know what it means to him. He's not here to make up the numbers. People think Mickey Mansell is just plays but he's here to win."

"I preempted the first round result, that Mickey would win and I've been training myself that I was going to have a battle and it might go the whole way so I was preparing myself mentally for that and it just got me over the line."

Next up for the 'History Maker' is someone he has a history with on the Ally Pally stage, Gerwyn Price. Dolan lost a cracker to the Welshman 4-3 back in 2021, the year Price would take the title. "I'm waiting for another last leg shootout," Dolan laughs. "It's my turn and if I win, you never know, I could go on and win the title."