Donegal player to play in Embassy World Darts Championship

[carrickharp]

Ballybofey darts' player Gerard Porter will represent Ireland at the forthcoming Embassy World Darts Championship after qualifying for the prestigious event over the weekend.

Porter will become only the fourth Irishman to be given the opportunity to compete in the competition, which will be screened live on BBC television from January 7 next. Since its inception in 1978, the three previous entrants from the Emerald Isle came in the guise of Kildare's Jack McKenna, John Joe O'Shea from Cork and Sligo native Sean McGowan.

Last June, the Twin Town's man Porter won the Irish Masters despite being unseeded for the competition at the outset. A former member of the Irish national team in the years 1991 and 1992, Porter travelled to Bridlington in East Yorkshire as one of 320 hopefuls. There are 24 automatic qualifiers for the tournament with the rest being allocated to former winners outside the top ranked and those who qualify

Sitting in what was a provisional first standby place, the barman at Gallen's had a nervous wait before his participation was confirmed at the Windmill Open.

"I had to hope that Dutchman Ray van Barneveld won the competition as he had already confirmed his place in the Worlds. Had Goram Clem triumphed, then he would have taken my place. Gladly though, van Barneveld held on and that ensured that I got in.

"Of course, I'm delighted at the minute and can't wait until January to tell you the truth."

[dcfcsteve]

Great stuff. Will have to watch to cheer the man on.

Has he any interest in the Harps, btw ?

[fbtn]

Harps man surely.

Sure he would never got a job in Gallens if he hadn't!

Good luck Lofty - hope he does well. True gent.

[Stevo Da Gull]

As an avid fan of the sport and someone who aspires to be in a similiar position someday this is inspiring stuff.

Best of luck Gerard

[carrickharp]

Edit of the above information:

Porter will become the eleventh Irishman (five Republic and six N Ireland) to be given the opportunity to compete in the competition, which will be screened live on BBC television from January 7 next. Since its inception in 1978, the four previous entrants from the Emerald Isle came in the guise of Paddy Clifford, Jim McQuillan, Kildare's Jack McKenna, John Joe O'Shea from Cork.

Gerard will play Martin Atkins from England on Sunday 8th January in the first round.

[carrickharp]

MEN'S FIRST ROUND DRAW

Matches to be played SATURDAY, JAN 7
JELLE KLAASEN (NETH) v DENNIS HARBOUR (ENG)
MERVYN KING (1) (ENG) v BRIAN WOODS (ENG)
MARENO MICHELLS (NETH) v PAUL HOGAN (ENG)
TED HANKEY (8) (ENG) v ALBERTINO ESSERS (NETH)
SHAUN GREATBATCH (ENG) v NIELS DE RUITER (NETH)
TONY ECCLES (5) (ENG) v PER LAURSEN (DEN)

Matches to be played SUNDAY, JAN 8
CO STOMPE (NETH) v PAUL HANVIDGE (SCOT)
SIMON WHITLOCK (4) (AUS) v ANDY FORDHAM (ENG)
MARTIN ATKINS (ENG) v GERARD PORTER (IRE) 1.30PM
MARTIN ADAMS (2) (ENG) v DARRYL FITTON (ENG)
ULF CEDER (FIN) v MIKE VEITCH (SCOT)
JOHN WALTON (7) (ENG) v STEPHEN ROBERTS (ENG)

Matches to be played MONDAY, JAN 9
ROSS MONTGOMERY (SCOT) v VINCENT VAN DER VOORT (NETH)
TONY O'SHEA (6) (ENG) v TONY WEST (ENG)
GARY ROBSON (ENG) v GARY ANDERSON (SCOT)
RAYMOND BARNEVELD (3) (NETH) v BRIAN SORENSEN (DEN)

[onenilgameover]

I wonder will his match get live coverage? Looks class with him stuck in there between names like Co Stompe, Andy Fordham...And Martins Adams plays straight after so I'd say theres a good chance. Have to set a reminder for that one..and cheers for the info!

[carrickharp]

Coverage on BBC Grandstand starts at 2pm, Gerards match can be got on BBC interactive, well that's what he told me himself when I asked him.

Lakeside TV schedule
Saturday, 7 January
14.30-16.30: BBC-1 Grandstand live
18.30-20.00: BBC-2 live
24.00-01.00: BBC-2 World Darts Extra

Sunday, 8 January
14.00-17.15: BBC-2 Sunday Grandstand live
18.00-1900: BBC-2 live 19.35-20.00: BBC-2 live

Monday, 9 January
13.30-16.30: BBC-2 highlights programme
18.00-1900: BBC-2 live
23.20-00.20: BBC-2 highlights
00.20-01.00: World Darts Extra

Tuesday, 10 January
13.30-16.30: BBC-2 highlights programme
18.00-19.00: BBC-2 live
23.20-00.20: BBC-2 highlights programme
00.20-01.00: World Darts Extra

Wednesday, 11 January
14.00-16.30: BBC-2 highlights programme
18.00-19.00: BBC-2 live
23.20-00.20: BBC-2 highlights programme
00.20-02.00: World Darts Extra

Thursday, 12 January
13.00-16.30: BBC-2 highlights programme
18.00-19.00: BBC-2 live
23.20-00.20: BBC-2 highlights programme
00.20-02.00: World Darts Extra

Friday, 13 January
13.30-17.15: BBC-2 highlights programme
18.00-19.00: BBC-2 live
23.35-00.35: BBC-2 highlights programme
00.35-02.00: World Darts Extra

Saturday, 14 January
14.30-16.30: BBC-1 Grandstand live semi-final
16.30-18.30: BBC-2 live semi-final

Sunday, 15 January 18.00-20.00: BBC-2 Live Final

[Stevo Da Gull]

Day 1 is through and the shock of the day is Ted Hankey's 3-1 defeat to Albertino Essers. Hankey was shockingly bad for the first 2 sets and by the time he started to pick up a bit Essers was in full control. 2nd favourite Mervyn King had a comfortable 3-0 win - dont like the king myself.
Tomorrows the big day, c'mon Gerard

[Kowalski]

Day 1 is through and the shock of the day is Ted Hankey's 3-1 defeat to Albertino Essers. Hankey was shockingly bad for the first 2 sets and by the time he started to pick up a bit Essers was in full control. 2nd favourite Mervyn King had a comfortable 3-0 win - dont like the king myself.
Tomorrows the big day, c'mon Gerard

I hope he does well but the standard in the BDO is rubbish compared to the PDC even if you leave out Taylor who's miles ahead of everyone.

I was glad to see Hankey get KO'd; Him, Stompe & King are the only 3 in the top half which I think can threaten my e/w bet on Fordham to win @ 25/1.

[onenilgameover]

Anyone know how he got on?

[onenilgameover]

He only took two frames off atkins..3 sets to nil...still fair play...

[Kowalski]

As for Andy Fordham, got beaten by a guy who looks like he's coming from a Mad Max audition. So much for all his practice with Phil Taylor. Unbelievable!

[carrickharp]

He only took two frames off atkins..3 sets to nil...still fair play...

Porter won two legs against Martin Atkins who played very well hitting 5 180's and finnishing very sharply, Atkins should give Martin Adams a good test in the next round.

[padzer]

I stuck a €5 on Klaasen to win the tournament at 40/1 yesterday after seeing him the day before..

He beat the King and now he is 100/30 2ndfav. Apparently has an easy enough draw. Could meet Barneveld in the final. Hes some player for a 21yr old.

[carrickharp]

I stuck a €5 on Klaasen to win the tournament at 40/1 yesterday after seeing him the day before..

He beat the King and now he is 100/30 2ndfav. Apparently has an easy enough draw. Could meet Barneveld in the final. Hes some player for a 21yr old.

Fast as well just over 4 seconds to throw the three darts.

[Stevo Da Gull]

Martin Adams beat Martin Atkins 4-3 after being 3-0 down, only saw it up to 3-2 myself and it was a good match.

Now it was late the other night and I was knackered but did I hear it right that Klaasen has hit fifteen competitive 9'darters in his life, including 3 en-route to the World Championship ... just does'nt sound true to me, I must have been hearing things.

[bigmac]

Now it was late the other night and I was knackered but did I hear it right that Klaasen has hit fifteen competitive 9'darters in his life, including 3 en-route to the World Championship ... just does'nt sound true to me, I must have been hearing things.

Don't know, I know that Taylor has hit 3 televised 9 darters but I'm not sure about the untelevised ones. 15 for a 21 year old sounds a bit high if you ask me.

[carrickharp]

From BBC sport:
Jelle Klaasen continued his remarkable run at the Lakeside World Championship on Thursday by beating Paul Hogan 5-4 to reach the semi-finals.

The 21-year-old Dutchman found his form early on, scoring heavily and hitting his doubles to forge 4-1 ahead in sets.

But he lost his concentration allowing a rejuvenated Hogan to force a decider.

Klaasen regained his composure to book a last-four showdown with Englishman Shaun Greatbatch, who edged past Paul Hanvidge 5-3 at Frimley Green.

Klaasen's victory ensured him automatic qualification for next year's event.

"When I was 4-1 up Paul began to throw a lot better - he threw amazingly," he told BBC Sport.

"But I came back and, wow, I can return next year."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/othe...ts/4607918.stm

[Stevo Da Gull]

Jelle is the champ, the youngest ever at the age of 21!
Just think of what this guy could achieve , he's already climbed the mountain.

Good match finished 7-5, he hit the doubles when it counted, fair play to him