Meath's Keane Barry made it a tremendous start for the Irish at the World Darts Championship with a very impressive victory over Kim Huybrechts on the night one at the Ally Pally.
After a tepid first set, the Duleek man fired to life and rattled off wins in the following three sets.
It was a game of high quality - there were 15 180s and Barry had seven of them. In truth, it was arguably Barry's best ever televised game. He finished with an average of 94.97 and was 50% on doubles.
When talking to Sky Sports after the win, he credited the 108 checkout at the end of the second set as instrumental in his victory.
108 checkout from Keane Barry! The Meathman is heating up!!!pic.twitter.com/kCTdk2FPt5
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) December 15, 2024
"I slowed my throw down a little bit, started to play my own game and started to hit everything and everything went flying in so delighted to win really," he said.
Next up for Keane Barry: The Iceman
Barry had an outstanding career as a youth darts player, winning the World Boys Masters in 2019. He's won before at the worlds but he's struggled to bring that scintillating form from his youth career to the biggest stage in the sport. He showed the darts world tonight just how good he is.
"I just need to start playing like that on the floor. It'll all come. I'm feeling good in my game. Next year is a big year. We just keep pushing. I'll hopefully keep climbing up the rankings," he said afterwards.
Up next for Barry is a meeting with 10 seed Gerwyn Price to close out the evening session on Monday night. Price wouldn't be the most beloved character in the sport, and there were many on social media predicting Barry can spring an upset if he plays like he did tonight.
Boy o boy, young Keane Barry is going to be a tough start for the Iceman. #WorldDartsChampionship
— Jethro (@jethro180darts) December 15, 2024
If that Keane Barry turns up he’ll beat Price
— frank (@arnesbaldyreds) December 15, 2024
Tell you something with the form price has had this year and the fact he never seems comfortable at the palace it's very possible Keane Barry beats him next round if he can produce anything close to what he did sets 2 3 4 tonight #PDCWorldChampionships #WorldDartsChampionships
— counting down till doomsday (@chrisjlatimer) December 15, 2024
Keane Barry beats Price btw if he plays anywhere near that level again
— Connor 🏴 (@CFC_CS) December 15, 2024
That battle is certain to be fascinating.
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