Shane McGuirk 2024 WDF Men's World Champion
History was made at the 2024 WDF Men’s World Darts Championship as Shane ‘The Arrow’ McGuirk became the first Irishman to lift the coveted title. McGuirk triumphed in a thrilling 6-3 final against the iconic Paul ‘The Singapore Slinger’ Lim, delivering a performance that will be remembered.
McGuirk’s journey to the championship was nothing short of remarkable. Entering the tournament as a top contender, he lived up to expectations with a flawless campaign, not dropping a single set until the final. Along the way, he posted four of the top-10 averages of the tournament, showcasing his dominance and consistency on the biggest stage.
Facing McGuirk in the final was Paul Lim, the legendary 70-year-old who defied the odds throughout the tournament. Lim’s rejuvenated form had seen him string together a series of brilliant wins, thrilling fans and proving that age is no barrier to competing at the highest level.
The final began with McGuirk showing early signs of nerves, narrowly surviving four set darts to edge the opening set. However, once he settled in, ‘The Arrow’ took control. Stunning 97 and 132 checkouts helped him storm through the second set, and he maintained that momentum by sweeping sets three and four, winning them 3-0 and 3-1 respectively. McGuirk looked unstoppable at 4-0, just two sets away from victory.
Despite the mounting pressure, Lim’s experience and grit began to shine through. In the fifth set, he ended McGuirk’s incredible streak of 21 consecutive sets won in the tournament, holding throw three times to take the set 3-2.
The sixth set saw Lim produce one of the moments of the match with a fantastic 144 checkout. However, McGuirk’s clinical finishing proved decisive, allowing him to edge closer to the title at 5-1.
Yet, Lim wasn’t done. In the seventh set, he broke McGuirk twice, executing brilliant 120 and 60 finishes to win the set and stay alive. He then carried that momentum into the eighth set, rattling off three consecutive legs to make it 5-3 and spark hopes of an incredible comeback.
With the match hanging in the balance, McGuirk rediscovered his focus in the ninth set. Determined to avoid further drama, the Irishman delivered a flawless 3-0 performance to seal the victory and make history as Ireland’s first-ever WDF Men’s World Darts Champion.
The 2024 WDF Men’s World Championship will go down as one of the most memorable in recent years, thanks to a final that had everything: high-quality darts, dramatic moments, and the clash of youth and experience.
Shane McGuirk made Irish darts history, while Paul Lim’s incredible run at the age of 70 serves as a testament to his enduring legacy and love for the sport.
Bravo to Shane ‘The Arrow’ McGuirk, the 2024 WDF Men’s World Champion, for his historic triumph. And hats off to Paul ‘The Singapore Slinger’ Lim for inspiring fans worldwide with his remarkable performance.
This final will be remembered as a celebration of the sport and a showcase of the talent, determination, and spirit that make darts such a beloved game.