Irish eyes are certainly smiling in Portsmouth these days, as Shane McGuirk followed fellow Emerald Islander John O’Shea into the winner’s circle, claiming the week four title of MODUS Super Series 11.
It wasn’t the ideal beginning for the reigning WDF World Champion, though – McGuirk slumped to a 4–1 opening defeat against a sharp-shooting Scott Campbell. In a tight three-player group, a fast start is crucial, but the Scot was superb, while McGuirk hadn’t yet arrived at the races. Campbell then booked his semi-final spot with a slightly less ruthless 4–2 win over David Sharp – enough to top the group.
That left McGuirk and Sharp to battle it out for second place, and the Irishman responded when it mattered. A much-improved display saw him come through 4–2 and seal a place in the last four.
Over in the other section, earlier Group A winner Jamai van den Herik repeated where he left off on Wednesday, beating Kurt Parry – this time in a last-leg decider. However, the Welshman bounced back in another seven-leg thriller, edging out Carl Wilson to stay in the hunt.
With the group wide open, the final clash between Van den Herik and Wilson meant all three players had a chance to progress. For the young Dutchman, even a 4–3 loss would do. Wilson needed any kind of win. And sitting nervously in the stands was Parry, orange scarf and all. In the end, it was Carl cursing missed doubles as Jamai triumphed 4–2 to advance.
Semi-final one pitted Van den Herik against McGuirk – and it’s one Jamai will want to forget. The Monaghan maestro wasn’t at his best, but luckily, neither was his opponent. What looked like a tough test on paper ended in a one-sided 4–0 win for McGuirk.
The other semi followed suit – another whitewash. Scott Campbell and Kurt Parry both struggled to replicate their earlier form. If Van den Herik will have nightmares about missed doubles, then Campbell might need therapy – ten darts at a double, all off-target. In a match that surprisingly didn’t live up to its billing, it was Parry who limped through to the final.
But any stuttering buildup was blown away in the showpiece, as Shane McGuirk lit up the MODUS stage with one of the performances of the week. He brushed aside the Welshman 4–1 with a monstrous 103.29 average and the finishing prowess of a master marksman.
It was a formidable display from The Arrow, who emulated Corkonian O’Shea’s triumph the previous weekend with the richly deserved Super Series crown.
—–ENDS—–
Images: WDF/Chris Sargeant
