"I can’t believe it. I’m world champion!" - Shane McGuirk writes his name in Irish sporting history at the Lakeside

Monaghan's Shane McGuirk made Irish sporting history on Sunday night at the Lakeside, becoming the very Irish world darts champion following his 6-3 victory over the legendary Paul Lim in the final of the WDF World Darts Championship.

In a nervy opening, Lim missed darts for the first set with McGuirk punishing to move one up. From there, the Irish ace looked to have settled down, reeling off the next three sets without reply to reach the second break 4-0 up. Lim though, wasn't done just yet, fighting back and taking three of the next four sets to keep himself alive at 5-3 down. As the final break halted the Singaporean's momentum though, McGuirk was able to refocus himself and secure the victory in set 9.

Read also

Shane McGuirk ends Paul Lim's Lakeside fairytale, becomes first ever Irish World Champion staving off late comeback

"I can't believe what's just after happening. 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," McGuirk reflected afterwards to the media. "I knew after the [last] break, just come out swinging and try to get this over and done with."

Given this was the first World Championship final for both players, there were also some understandable nerves on the stage. "The first set was very nervy for both of us and I got away with it," the new world champion admitted. "After that, I settled, I cruised a wee bit and then he started fighting back and I was like, 'come on, let's get this done'. I can’t believe it. I’m world champion."

Last year, Andy Baetens was crowned world champion at the Lakeside and the Belgian has since acquired himself a PDC Tour Card at Q-School, acquitting himself solidly if unspectacularly on tour in his debut campaign. Is McGuirk, who has already shown himself on the Challenge Tour, now set to follow suit and charge for a Tour Card at Q-School next January? Time will tell.

Read also

"I can't not play next year": Beau Greaves sets sights on fourth World title as potential Ally Pally snub likely again

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate darts experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe