FERMANAGH arrow artist Brendan Dolan and Tyrone battler Mickey Mansell embraced warmly at the end of a memorable Paddy Power World Championship clash at Alexandra Palace that was a wonderful advert for Irish darts.
The match went all the way to a deciding leg which Dolan clinched with double 16 to win 3-2 and set up a mouth-watering last-32 clash against 2021 World champion Gerwyn Price, the number five seed.
And the Belcoo thrower will have revenge on his mind as the Iceman defeated the History Maker - so called on account of hitting the first ever double-in nine darter when reaching the final of the 2011 World Grand Prix in Dublin - on his way to winning that 2021 title which was played behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions.
And, boy, did 28th seed Dolan have to work hard against ‘Clonoe Cyclone’ Mansell to reach the last 32 of the £2.5million London showpiece.
The two great pals and practice partners traded blows all the way through.
Dolan, with the darts, edged the first set 3-2 before Mansell stamped his authority on proceedings by taking the second 3-0. The Erne arrow ace clinched the next 3-2 but the Cyclone blasted back with a 3-1 success to make it 2-2 in sets and take the match to a decider.
The decider went to 2-2 so it was sudden death - meaning the match had to be won by two clear legs unless the set went to 5-5 when there would be a deciding leg.
Dolan went 3-2 up, then it was 3-3, followed by 4-3 to the Fermanagh man before Mansell hit double top for 4-4. Dolan emulated that double top finish for 5-4. Then Mansell produced a nerveless double 14 to take this thriller all the way to a deciding leg.
Dolan used all his experience to pull clear and take out double 16 to seal victory.
“I knew how tough it was going to be against Mickey. We’ve known each other for a long time and have the greatest respect for each other,” said Dolan.
“They’re all hard matches but I know if I play as well as I can then I have the ability to beat anyone,” added the 50-year-old.
Mansell has the consolation of a first-round 3-0 victory over China’s Xiaochen Zong not to mention prize money of £15,000 to take back to Clonoe.
But he is also bound to take home a nagging feeling that this could and possibly should have been the biggest victory of his career. The 50-year-old had more maximums - five to Dolan’s four - and also had the higher average, 95.36 to 95.13.
Meanwhile, Co Antrim’s 22-year-old rising star Josh Rock - the 23rd seed - faces Berry van Peer on Saturday night, while Derry’s 27th seed Daryl Gurney tackles Steve Beaton in the afternoon.
Also on Saturday afternoon, Carlow’s Steve Lennon plays ninth seed Jonny Clayton.
