Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney burst into tears as Northern Ireland win World Cup of Darts | Other | Sport
The Northern Ireland duo of Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney both broke down in tears after winning the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt. In what proved a sensational final, it was Gurney who hit double eight to seal a 10-9 win over the Wales team of Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton.
After fighting back from 7-5 down to lead 9-7, the pair were made to wait as the Welsh puleld a leg back. In what seemed a crucial moment, Gurney then missed three match darts at double five, and when Clayton took out 70 the game headed into a final leg decider. However, when ‘Superchin’ was presented with three more chances, he only needed two of them and the winning moment sparked emotional scenes on stage.
The two stars then embraced and sobbed uncontrollably. After receiving their gold medals and an £80,000 cheque, the pair had still not steadied themselves by the time they spoke to Sky Sports on stage.
“Daryl said the first time we’re paired together, we’ll win this,” said Rock, fighting back more tears. “But I didn’t think it would really be the first time. I didn’t expect us to do it. But we’ve done it.”
Gurney congratulated his opponents, calling them ‘legends of the game’, and added: “Josh, power scoring, meant I just had to clean up the finishing. I was never going to miss double eight. The first one was on the wire and thanfully I could just sneak the second one in.
“I have never been so proud of this man and myself. I put this in higher regard than whenever I’ve won an individual event. I’d like to thank the PDC. It was absolutely unbelievable. There is a European Tour event next week but I’m going to have a very sore head.”
A total of 16 180s were thrown during the contest, nine of which went to Rock in what was a new individual record for a World Cup of Darts final. However, it was the finishing that kept Wales in it, with Price and Clayton taking nine of their 16 chances.
Northern Ireland created 30 opportunities at a double but only hit 10 of them. However, Gurney took out the one that mattered, sealing his country’s first-ever win at the tournament.
