Fermanagh native Brendan Dolan pulled off one of the biggest shocks in the PDC World Matchplay history last night, defeating defending champion Michael van Gerwen in a thrilling darts contest in Blackpool.
Few onlookers gave the Irishman much chance of victory in the contest, coming up against arguably the most talented player in the world in a tournament that he has won three times.
However, it soon became clear that the upset was on.
Dolan performed brilliant throughout, and while van Gerwen wasn't quite up to the standards he has set over the last decade or so, he would ultimately run out as winner on 10-7 scoreline.
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN IS OUT OF THE WORLD MATCHPLAY IN THE FIRST ROUND! 😲 pic.twitter.com/8xw2zddniL
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) July 16, 2023
The Sky Sports commentator labelled this as 'one of the great World Matchplay shocks', with this being only the third time that the defending champion was knocked out in the first round of the event.
Darts: Brendan Dolan delighted after shock van Gerwen win
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Dolan summed up what this victory meant to him and his darts career.
"I'm over the moon!" 🙌
Brendan Dolan reacts to his SHOCK win over Michael van Gerwen in the first round of the World Matchplay! 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/vDbLucrKuv— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) July 16, 2023
To beat Michael van Gerwen on a big stage, I suppose coming into this he had extra pressure, he's the defending champion. He was unbelievable in Poland last weekend and I know he's suffering and he's trying to recover.
He probably isn't getting in as much practice as he would like and it wasn't the Michael there tonight that we would normally expect, but for me to get a win over Michael, I am over the moon...
I made enough opportunities and took enough of them to win the game...
I am nowhere near consistent, that's the problem with me and it has been all my career. I don't back up a good performance.
I have a chance, I'm in the next round. As good as I have ever done here is the second round, this week I'm trying to do better.
What I want to do is keep improving. I know I'm getting on a bit but I still want to improve and keep a name for myself.
Brendan Dolan has been on the professional darts circuit for almost two decades, producing some huge victories along the way. However, this was certainly up there with the best of them.
He will be hoping that it is the first of many wins in this tournament.
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