Welshman David Davies is Ally Pally bound, coming through a high-quality field in Wigan’s Robin Park to defeat reigning WDF World Champion Shane McGuirk in the finale and seal his golden ticket to the biggest stage of them all.
The Denbigh darter is having the kind of year that makes those old “If Carlsberg did…” adverts seem realistic (other lagers are, of course, available).
Just a few months ago, he lifted the prestigious Red Dragon Champion of Champions title. Hours later, he got the call-up to the PDC Pro Tour. And now? He’s heading to the 2026 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
Not bad for a bloke who probably still can’t quite believe it himself.Keeping with the lager theme, it won’t be long before the popular Oasis banger, Cigarettes and Alcohol blares around Alexandra Palace as Davies makes his debut under those famous lights.
Over a hundred hopefuls descended on Wigan this morning, all chasing one dream – that elusive golden ticket to North London.It was the darting equivalent of a Royal Rumble: elbows flying, nerves jangling, tension thicker than the Wigan fog. Dozens of top-class amateurs and ex-pros took aim, each capable of mixing it with the sport’s elite.
But when the metaphorical smoke cleared – and everyone else had been tossed over the top rope – only one man was left standing: David Davies.
By day, he’s listed as a Health Courier Service Area Manager (assuming his Facebook bio is accurate). By night (well, afternoon), he was busy tearing through opponents like a man possessed. First up was Jarred Cole, the self-styled King of the Castle, who sadly won’t get a chance this year to be King of the Palace. Then came further Englishmen in Steve West, Tommy Morris, and Henry Coates – all sent packing by the Welsh whirlwind.
Into the semis, and Davies faced Carl “Gok” Wilson in what turned into a cracking contest. It was nip and tuck until the Denbigh man found an extra gear, powering to a 7-4 win and setting up a final showdown for a place at Ally Pally.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the draw, Shane McGuirk was carving through his half like a man on a mission. The reigning Lakeside champ breezed past Dean Finn-Forde, George Killington, Tommy Lishman, and Steve Hine, before downing Crystal Palace’s biggest fan, Darryl Pilgrim, to set up a mouth-watering finale.
And what a final it was. Both men trading blows, locked level after eight legs, neither giving an inch. But then Davies pounced – a silky 14-darter gave him the edge, and with the finish line in sight, he closed it out in style to punch his ticket to the Palace.
Asked how he felt afterwards, Davies managed only: “I don’t know anything at the moment.”
Perfectly summed up, really. When you’ve just achieved a darting dream, words tend to take a back seat.
So, congratulations to David Davies – the latest to stamp his Ally Pally passport – and commiserations to McGuirk, who now turns his attention to defending his WDF world crown next month. Not a bad consolation.
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