HISTORY MAKER Brendan Dolan is hoping that his return to Dublin for this week's partypoker.com World Grand Prix can be the catalyst for a successful autumn.
The Northern Irish star enjoyed the greatest week of his career so far when he won through to the 2011 World Grand Prix final, hitting the first-ever double-start nine-darter during his semi-final win over James Wade before being denied a maiden major title by Phil Taylor.
Dolan was also a semi-finalist in 2012 and will take on resurgent Scottish star Gary Anderson in Monday's first round - 24 hours after defeating the same opponent in the final of Players Championship 16 at the same venue as he picked up his fifth career title.
"There's lots to play for in the next few months leading up to the World Championship and I could end up having a really good year if I can have a run of form," said Dolan.
"I want to stay in the top 16 and qualifying for The Masters in Edinburgh next month's a big target, as well as getting into the Grand Slam of Darts in November.
"I've done well on the floor this year, winning a couple of tournaments, but I was especially disappointed with how I played in the World Matchplay.
"I lost 10-4 to Richie Burnett and my doubles let me down, but I've been working really hard on them coming into the World Grand Prix."
Dolan is joined by fellow countrymen Mickey Mansell and Daryl Gurney in the World Grand Prix this week, and after reaching the bwin World Cup of Darts semi-finals in June believes that the sport is making great progress in Northern Ireland.
"It's an exciting time for darts throughout Ireland, and especially in Northern Ireland," said Dolan. "We've got three representatives in the World Grand Prix this week and we made the semi-finals of the World Cup back in June.
"Darts is going really well over here at the moment, and particularly for myself - but you're seeing that individual players themselves are putting in a lot of extra dedication and time and have taken the leap.
"I made the plunge in early 2011 to give up work and do as much of the circuit as I could, and the World Grand Prix that year was the turning point for me both on and off stage."
Read more from Brendan Dolan in the partypoker.com World Grand Prix programme, which is available at the Citywest Hotel throughout the week as well as online through www.programmemaster.com.
Tickets for the partypoker.com World Grand Prix are still available, and can be purchased in advance from the Citywest Hotel Box Office on 00353 (0)1 401 0505 or darts14@citywesthotel.com, or in person at the venue.
Tickets can also be purchased online until 12pm on Monday from the Ticketmaster.ie website.