All-Irish Darts Classic Between 'Best Friends' Ends In Dramatic Tiebreaker

Brendan Dolan won an all-Irish clash 3-2 against his great friend Mickey Mansell in the second round at the World Darts Championship on Friday.

It was a classic match, lasting 78 minutes, which went all the way to a fifth set sudden death leg. Dolan won the first set 3-2, Mansell the second 3-0, Dolan took the third 3-2 and Mansell the fourth 3-1. That set up a final set which Dolan won 6-5.

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"I've been practising three weeks to play Mickey," Dolan, who hails from Fermanagh, told Sky Sports about his opponent from Tyrone.

"I knew Mickey would win [in the first round] because I know how well Mickey has been playing these last 18 months.

"Mickey Mansell has been so unlucky in results all through the years. He should be [ranked] a lot higher than what he is.

"I've always had a problem playing Mickey because he's my best friend on tour. For that reason, it was difficult. I've been trying to practise the last three weeks [thinking] 'There's no friends'. Probably that helped me at the end."

Brendan Dolan interview after beating 'best friend'

🗣️ "You never know, I could be winning the title."

Hear from Brendan Dolan after his dramatic sudden death leg victory over his good friend Mickey Mansell... pic.twitter.com/zqthe6zwVJ

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 22, 2023

In the post-match press conference, Dolan added: "I'm a wee bit deflated, sapped because there was so much energy put into that. It lasted so long.

"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. I just about had enough.

"It's completely the toughest [match I've had at the World Darts Championship]. The only tougher game I could have would be playing against my brother. That's the truth. Mickey is part of the family. That is so tough. I know what it means to him. He's not here to make up the numbers."

A SENSATIONAL 157 CHECK OUT FROM MICKEY MANSELL 😍 pic.twitter.com/RFv3d3oGmz

— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 22, 2023

Mansell lost despite having a slightly higher average than Dolan (95.36 vs 95.13), more 180s, a better finishing percentage and the two highest checkouts of the match.

On the morning of his first round match against Xiaochen Zong on Thursday, Mansell had awoken to a message from Dolan wishing him well.

Unreal 148 checkout by Mickey Mansell to set up a deciding leg 🤩 pic.twitter.com/pk0PfdhpK2

— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 22, 2023

"That just tells all you need to know about the man I'm playing tomorrow," Mansell said during his press conference on Thursday.

"Me and Brendan have been together for the last 13 years, travelling and everything.

"In the early stages of my career, Brendan helped me an awful lot - financially, mentally, and all the rest. That was early on and he gave me the foothold to progress. As the years went and I have seen how he has evolved.

"Brendan, his whole career has been has been brilliant. I'm glad that the two of us are playing each other because at least one of us is getting to the next round."

Dolan will face 2021 champion Gerwyn Price in the third round.

"Scoring, finishing, setting up - everything!" replied Dolan when ask what he'll need to do better against the Welshman.

"Every game is different. When I was playing Mickey, there's so much pressure for me because I love the guy to bits, I want him to do so well and it's hard to be clinical, lethal, whereas against Gezzy - I get on really well with him - but I can be more lethal with him. I don't have a problem with that."

DOLAN HAS DONE IT!

What. A. Match!

Brendan Dolan keeps his cool to see off his former World Cup team-mate Mickey Mansell in a sudden-death classic!

Magnificent from both! 👏

📺 https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD #WCDarts | R2 pic.twitter.com/28YfNu80Js

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 22, 2023