McGuirk claims his Pro PDC Tour card
Monaghan darts player Shane McGuirk says he enjoyed "one of the best days of my life" after he secured his professional PDC Tour Card in the UK over the weekend.
The 30-year-old, who hails from Aughnamullen in Co Monaghan, will now rub shoulders with the likes of superstars Luke Littler and Michael Van Gerwen on a weekly basis for the next two years.
McGuirk, the 2024 WDF world champion, claimed his card with a 6-2 victory over rising English star Charlie Manby, who recently made it to the last 16 of the PDC World Championships at Ally Pally.
It was one of six games he won on the spin at the PDC Q School in Arena MK in Milton Keynes, averaging over 90 in all of those games.
Winning his professional tour card is an early wedding present for Shane and his fiancé Amy Ni Bhrion, a school teacher from Trim, Co Meath, and a handy darts player in her own right.
The pair are due to tie the knot next month, with their wedding reception being held in the Hotel Kilmore in Cavan.
Speaking just moments after winning his PDC Tour Card, Shane hailed Amy as his inspiration.
"I'm delighted to do it for me and Amy. I'm absolutely buzzing," he said.
"This is incredible. I played well in the first two days but today I was like, 'this is it'.
"I spoke to Amy this morning and she told me that this was my time to go and do it.
"I thank everyone at home for believing in me, this is one of the best days of my life."
Despite all his international success, McGuirk has been a loyal servant to Monaghan darts, and he will be a big miss for the county team when they compete at the INDO Inter Counties championships in Killarney at the end of February.
Just two days after winning the WDF World Championships at the Lakeside in 2024, McGuirk famously lined out for his local pub team in a Monaghan knockout cup match.
And true to form, just 24 hours after claiming his PDC Tour Card on Saturday, McGuirk attended the Monaghan County Singles competition in the Plex Bar in Threemilehouse on Sunday evening.
However he kept his darts in his case this time.
In his absence, Monaghan Town man Justin Cawley was crowned the new Monaghan county singles champion, after he defeated his cousin John McDonald 6-3 in a superb final in which two-thirds of the legs were completed in 18 darts or less and with both players averaging just over 80.