FERMANAGH’S BRENDAN DOLAN pulled off a massive upset on the second night of the World Matchplay darts as he dumped out defending champion Michael van Gerwen.
Dolan closed out a 10-7 win over the Dutchman in their first round match at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, setting up a meeting with 14th seed Damon Heta in the last 16.
Earlier on Sunday, Australia’s Heta beat another of the Irish hopefuls, Antrim youngster Josh Rock, 10-5.
Advertisement
But the evening belonged to Dolan, who made a fast start and then did enough to withstand an MVG fightback before progressing.
An early break of throw saw Dolan open up a 3-0 lead before the next five legs all stayed on throw to leave him 5-3 up in the best-of-19 match.
Dolan let the ninth leg slip through his fingers, allowing van Gerwen to win it with his 19th dart before holding throw to level up at 5-5.
But Dolan broke van Gerwen’s throw again to go 8-6 up before seeing out his win.
“For me, to get a win over Michael, I am over the moon,” Dolan told Sky Sports afterwards.
“I made enough opportunities, and I took enough of them to win the game. I’m over the moon.”
Later on Sunday, world champion and world number one Michael Smith was a comfortable 10-2 winner against Steve Beaton, and will face Chris Dobey in round two.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Fermanagh's Brendan Dolan knocks out defending champ MVG at World Matchplay darts
FERMANAGH’S BRENDAN DOLAN pulled off a massive upset on the second night of the World Matchplay darts as he dumped out defending champion Michael van Gerwen.
Dolan closed out a 10-7 win over the Dutchman in their first round match at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, setting up a meeting with 14th seed Damon Heta in the last 16.
Earlier on Sunday, Australia’s Heta beat another of the Irish hopefuls, Antrim youngster Josh Rock, 10-5.
But the evening belonged to Dolan, who made a fast start and then did enough to withstand an MVG fightback before progressing.
An early break of throw saw Dolan open up a 3-0 lead before the next five legs all stayed on throw to leave him 5-3 up in the best-of-19 match.
Dolan let the ninth leg slip through his fingers, allowing van Gerwen to win it with his 19th dart before holding throw to level up at 5-5.
But Dolan broke van Gerwen’s throw again to go 8-6 up before seeing out his win.
“For me, to get a win over Michael, I am over the moon,” Dolan told Sky Sports afterwards.
“I made enough opportunities, and I took enough of them to win the game. I’m over the moon.”
Later on Sunday, world champion and world number one Michael Smith was a comfortable 10-2 winner against Steve Beaton, and will face Chris Dobey in round two.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Brendan Dolan Darts love the darts Michael Van Gerwen World Matchplay Darts