DUBLIN'S Shane O'Connor has qualified for the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, following his win in the inaugural Irish Matchplay Championship on Sunday.
Over 160 players from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland competed in the event, which sees the champion take a place in the preliminary round of the World Championship.
O'Connor saw off former World Grand Prix qualifier Garrett Gray 7-2 in the final to take the prize - worth a minimum £2,500 prize money at Alexandra Palace.
O'Connor had a comprehensive 6-1 win over Martin Murphy in the semi-finals and also overcame Jamie Shearer in the quarters.
Gray was a 6-3 semi-final winner against Jason Cullen, a top young Irish player and former Irish Youths Champion.
Irish Matchplay Championship
Quarter-Finals
Shane O'Connor 5-3 Jamie Shearer
Martin Murphy 5-3 John Ward
Garrett Gray 5-1 Benny Grace
Jason Cullen 5-3 Harry Strahan
Semi-Finals
Shane O'Connor 6-1 Martin Murphy
Garrett Gray 6-3 Jason Cullen
Losers: 500 euro
Final
Shane O'Connor 7-2 Garrett Gray
Winner: Place in Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship Preliminary Round
Runner-Up: 1,000 euro
Shane O'Connor is pictures with Hotel Kilkenny Manager David Byrne (left)