Irishman John O'Shea produced one of darts' greatest upsets as he won the BDO World Masters.
He defeated former two time BDO World Champion and former World Master Scott Waites in the final 6-4 in sets.
His success come off the back of "hurdles" on and off the oche, which nearly ended his career prematurely.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror, he said: "I've had the game for years [but] I could just never get over the last hurdle. I have had sponsors fall through at the last minute.
"I had dartitis and I fought my way out of that, but recently I suffered a leg injury which didn't look like it would resolve."
O'Shea had a tearful conversation with his wife about stepping away from the game he loves, but they agreed to give the World Masters one last try as booking reservations had already been made.
Two weeks later O'Shea's leg began to improve and along with it his self-belief.
He said: "I'm a darts fan all my life. I had stood on stage in lakeside 2016; my goal was to stand on the Circus Tavern stage. Once I got up there I knew it was were I belonged."
O'Shea entered the tournament unseeded with a World Ranking of just 219, and produced consecutive upsets en route to claiming the historic prize.
The 44 year-old defeated 5th seed Willem Mandigers and 9th seed Mario Vandenbogaerde on his way to the final.
The Cork man has followed in the footsteps of the games' two greatest players, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, as well as reigning BDO World Champion Glen Durrant who previously claimed the prize on two occasions.
O'Shea collected £18,000 for his efforts along with the oldest major trophy in world darts.
The BDO World Championship takes place in January and O'Shea wants to follow the path of greats such as Martin Adams by adding the biggest prize to a World Masters win.
He said: "I do believe I can [win it]. I've had a taste of it. No one ever wants to draw me; I'm liable to do anything and now I feel my mind is at peace with my game.
"I have a passion to win and I am fiercely competitive."
It was a great weekend for Irish Darts where Meath's Keane Barry won the Boys Youths Singles final while 15 year-old Dublin girl Katie Sheldon won the Girls Youths title.
Keane Barry will make his PDC World Darts Championship debut this December on Sky Sports after he qualified with Irish Matchplay success in Dublin two weeks ago.
There was also good news for PDC players William O'Connor and Steve Lennon, whose Grand Slam of Darts qualification was confirmed after Sunday's PDC European Championship final.
Had his success occurred just two weeks earlier, O'Shea could have been in contention as a BDO representative for the Grand Slam of Darts.
O'Shea believes he will make qualify for next year's tournament on merit, saying: "I have never done anything the easy way so I'll make my mark over the next year and when I'm picked for the Grand Slam it will be because I've paid my dues.
"I want to rock up to the Grand Slam and make a splash."
The Grand Slam prize fund is an indication of the greater finances on offer at the PDC and O'Shea hasn't ruled out an attempt at switching codes like many World Masters winners before him.
He said: "I'd always consider it. I missed out on a tour card two years ago by a point or two.
"I'm practicing with that in mind and envisaging that as my next step [after the World Championship].
"I'm going to take this one competition at a time and enjoy every one of them.
"I'm off now to the Irish open in Killarney where I'm going to have a few class games of darts and celebrate with the darting community Irish craic style!"
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