BRENDAN DOLAN has set his sights on success in November's Grand Slam of Darts following his brilliant PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix.
Dolan reached his first televised final at the start of October with a brilliant run in the double-start World Grand Prix in Dublin - which included a nine-dart finish, the first in the event's history, during his semi-final win over reigning champion James Wade.
Although Dolan eventually lost the final to Phil Taylor, he jumped into the world's top 32 for the first time and also qualifies to compete at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall in November in the Grand Slam of Darts.
His achievement in Dublin has changed the Fermanagh's based star's career, with Dolan admitting that, having given up his job as a painter & decorator earlier this year to be a full-time professional, his lack of success this year had left him considering his future.
"At the end of March I quit painting and decorating and put all my eggs in the one basket with the darts," said Dolan. "It was a lot of pressure and I probably didn't handle it well on the tour so far this year.
"It's been hanging over me for eight or nine months. I was giving it up until Christmas, and I couldn't have afforded [to play the circuit] if I didn't make the World Championship.
"Whatever I got there was going to start me off for next year, but now it's all changed.
"I'm in the Grand Slam of Darts for two years, I've climbed the world rankings to guarantee a World Championship place and it's lifted the pressure off my shoulders."
Dolan had also changed his approach after missing out on qualification for the summer's two majors, the World Matchplay and European Championship, having analysed his throw during a break from playing.
"It was a major disappointment not qualify for the World Matchplay and European Championship but it was a good thing in a way because I went and looked at how I throw my darts," he said. "I realised that I had to slow down.
"When I first came onto the tour I was a slow dart player, and I think because of getting on TV I quickened up a bit to be more attractive on TV - but I'm going to forget about TV now and look after number one!
"I tweaked a few things and changed things and it's starting to work - and I can only get better now."
Dolan made history by hitting the first nine-darter in the double-start event's history, ensuring that despite a loss in the final he would enter the record books.
"Everyone dreams of doing a nine-darter, but to do it on TV in front of such a big crowd is incredible," he added.
"Making the final is great but the thing that people will remember is the nine-darter - something I've done before Phil Taylor!"
The Grand Slam of Darts will be played from November 12-20 at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall and televised live on Sky Sports HD.
Tickets are still available from the Wolves Civic Box Office in person or by calling 0870 320 7000.