The poker, casino and online betting website are the new sponsor for the £350,000 event, which will be held from October 4-10 at the Citywest Hotel Convention Centre in Dublin, Ireland.

Screened live on Sky Sports in the UK and also around the world, the Bodog.com World Grand Prix is one of the sport’s most exciting events, with the unique double-start format meaning that players have to begin and end every leg with a double.

Reigning champion Phil Taylor will be bidding to win the event for an incredible tenth time in October, with the 32-player field of competitors being confirmed in mid-September.

As part of their online gaming, darts fans will be able to place bets on the World Grand Prix via the Bodog.com website, as well as at the Citywest Hotel’s on-site betting facility.

Patrik Selin, CEO of Bodog Europe, the licensee of the Bodog brand in the UK, commented: “We have made some giant strides in establishing the Bodog brand here in the UK recently with our sponsorship with Fulham Football Club and this is another important landmark for us.

“Darts and Bodog are a perfect fit on every level.”

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are delighted to welcome Bodog.com as the new title sponsor for the World Grand Prix.

“They are an exciting brand who are emerging in the UK and we look forward to working with them in the coming months.”

Four Players Championships remain for players to win a spot in the tournament, with the PDC’s top 16 players joined by the leading four Irish or Northern Irish qualifiers from the Players Championship Order of Merit and 12 further qualifiers.

Tickets for the Bodog.com World Grand Prix, priced from €20-€40, are available now from TicketGroup on 00353 (0)818 33 33 44 or by clicking http://www.ticketgroup.ie/World_Grand_Prix_Darts_tickets

Van Barneveld stunned Taylor to edge the opening two sets of a thrilling final at the Citywest Hotel IECC, with the Dutchman taking advantage of a slow start from the Stoke great.

But Taylor battled back to level by winning six of the next seven legs, sneaked the fifth set to move 3-2 up in the game before pulling clear to take the £100,000 title.

The win maintains Taylor’s record of holding all of the PDC’s major ranking titles at present, and takes his 2009 earnings beyond £500,000.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” said Taylor. “Raymond never gave in and it was such a tough final, but I’m delighted to win through it.

“I could have been 2-0 up but I wasn’t, and I knew I had to start hitting my trebles and my doubles better.

“Barney was hitting the right shots at the right time and putting the pressure on me. I had to put a lot of work in and dig deep to win that.”

Had averaged an impressive 99 in the double-start format across his previous four games in the tournament, but struggled to reach that standard in the early sets of the decider.

The duo shared the opening four legs of the first set, but it was the defending champion who faltered in the decider – missing 11 darts at an opening double.

A 180 pulled him back into the leg, but he crucially missed one dart for the set before van Barneveld took out double top to lead.

The second set also went to a decider, with Taylor posting a 13-darter to lead 2-1 before missing three darts for the set in the next as van Barneveld broke back.

Taylor also wasted chances to wrap up the set in the decider, before van Barneveld took out double ten to give himself a 2-0 advantage.

Taylor found top gear to win the third without reply, landing legs of 13, 14 and 11 darts to get back into the match, and finishes of 86 and 110 put him two legs up in the fourth set.

Van Barneveld hit a 177 score to set up a double 16 finish in taking the third leg, but Taylor opened the fourth with a 160 score and defied a maximum from his opponent to land double eight for the set.

Taylor’s resurgence continued in the fifth set, with a 13-darter putting him 2-1 up before two missed doubles for the set allowed van Barneveld to take out 95 and square matters.

Taylor, with the throw, proved simply too strong in the decider, landing a 180 in three ton-plus scores before taking out 96 for an 11-darter in moving 3-2 up in the game.

Back-to-back 13-dart finishes saw Taylor moved clear in the sixth, before he wrapped up the set and a 4-2 cushion on double four after a missed double top from the Dutchman.

Van Barneveld regained his cool to land an 11-darter in squaring set seven, but Taylor took out 62 to move 2-1 up and then matched that finish for a 12-darter in moving just one set away from the win.

The Dutchman hit three maximums in the eighth set, battling to stay in the contest with a pair of 13-darters to stay in the game and edge the set 3-2.

Taylor landed a telling blow with a 13-darter to kick off the ninth, and then broke van Barneveld’s throw in 15 darts, kicking off with a 160 and finishing on double top.

He then sealed victory with a 12-dart leg, featuring a ninth 180 of the game and a 105 checking in wrapping up a historic ninth title.

“I love it,” said Taylor, who has now won six televised ranking titles in 2009, at the World Championship, Players Championship Finals, UK Open, Las Vegas Desert Classic, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix.

“I love the competitiveness and the players that are in the game now. I look at players coming through now and there are some cracking players out there.

“A lot of players performed very well this week and Barney was absolutely superb.

“For someone who hadn’t thrown a dart for two months coming into the tournament I think he did fantastically to get to the final.”

Van Barneveld’s defeat was his second in successive years to Taylor in Dublin, but he admitted he lost to the better man on the night.

“I was 2-0 up but knew Phil wasn’t playing well,” said the Dutchman. “I was lucky to be two sets up, and then he came back at me like I knew he would.

“It was a tough game and the games that went to the last leg, against Alan Tabern and Wes Newton earlier in the year, cost me a lot of energy.

“It’s the hardest tournament in the world because you have to start with a double and finish with one. But to me, being in the final is like losing in the first round, you are just the best of the losers.”

Taylor stormed into the last four with a straight sets win over his Stoke rival, setting up a tasty clash with in-form Terry Jenkins.

Taylor came from 2-0 down to win the first set of his quarter-final, with Lewis also missing darts for the second set as the defending champion powered to victory.

“The final scoreline is a bit misleading because I thought Adrian played well, but the only thing that mattered is that I won,” said Taylor.

Jenkins was another comfortable winner on Friday night, defeating his Citywest Hotel flat-mate Andy Smith in straight sets in front of a 3,000-plus crowd.

Irish hopes in the event were ended when Jacko Barry suffered a 4-0 loss to 2008 runner-up Raymond van Barneveld, who now meets Andy Hamilton in the semis.

Hamilton booked his spot in the last four with a 4-1 win against Kevin Painter, hitting four ton-plus finishes in coming from a set down to take victory.

Skybet World Grand Prix
Quarter-Finals
Terry Jenkins 4-0 Andy Smith
Andy Hamilton 4-1 Kevin Painter
Phil Taylor 4-0 Adrian Lewis
Raymond van Barneveld 4-0 Jacko Barry

Semi-Finals
7pm Saturday
Andy Hamilton v Raymond van Barneveld
Phil Taylor v Terry Jenkins
Best of nine sets

TERRY JENKINS 4-0 ANDY SMITH
(3-2, 3-1, 3-1, 3-1)
TERRY JENKINS stormed past flat-mate Andy Smith in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of the Skybet World Grand Prix.

The duo are sharing an apartment for the duration of the tournament at the Citywest Hotel, but put their friendship aside on the oche as Jenkins progressed.

Jenkins edged a high-quality opening set 3-2, with all five legs going with the throw.

After the first two legs were shared, Smith hit a 180 in the third but was denied a dart at a double as Jenkins opened with a 160, hit a 177 to leave 40 and took out a 13-darter.

Smith landed a 180 to set up a double 14 finish in the fourth, and also landed a 177 score in the decider, only for Jenkins to hit double top for the set.

Smith led in the second, hitting a 180 and double top, but Jenkins levelled and then punished three misses from Smith to level with a two-dart 76.

Jenkins then landed a 180 and took out a superb 114 checkout for the second set, which proved a telling blow.

He then led in the third, hitting double top to make it seven doubles from nine attempts in the game.

Smith hit scores of 140 and 180 in taking the second leg, but missed darts to win the next two as Jenkins stepped in twice to move 3-0 up in the game.

The duo secured breaks of throw in the fourth set’s opening two legs, with Jenkins then landing a 180 and double ten to lead 2-1.

He then pulled clear of Smith in leg four, and posted double top to wrap up victory.

ANDY HAMILTON 4-1 KEVIN PAINTER
(1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-2, 3-1)
ANDY HAMILTON came from a set down to defeat Kevin Painter 4-1 and earn a place in the semi-finals of the Skybet World Grand Prix.

Hamilton produced a devastating display of finishing to reach the last four of the double-start tournament for the first time.

Painter took the first set 3-1, with Hamilton stepping in to take the first leg against the throw before missing double 16 for the second.

Painter stepped in to break on double ten, landed a 180 in setting up a 69 finish to lead 2-1 and then took the next against the darts following a missed double ten from Hamilton.

Hamilton led in the second before Painter hit a 180 and an 85 finish to level, before the pair traded finishes of 110 and 104 respectively to remain locked, with the Stoke ace taking the decider on double 16.

Further finishes of 110 and 91 from Hamilton put him in front in the third, before Painter posted a 13-darter, setting up a double 16 finish with a 177.

But a missed double 18 from Painter cost him as Hamilton landed double 16 to move 2-1 up in the contest.

The pair traded 180s in sharing the first two legs of set four, with Painter then taking out double top to lead.

Hamilton levelled, and then a missed double 12 for a 104 finish from Painter proved costly as Hamilton landed double 16 to take a crucial 3-1 lead in sets.

Painter did lead in the fifth, but Hamilton levelled with a 120 finish, landed a 180 in taking leg three and then powered to victory with a 149 checkout for a 12-darter.

PHIL TAYLOR 4-0 ADRIAN LEWIS
(3-2, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1)
PHIL TAYLOR remains on course for a ninth Skybet World Grand Prix title following a 4-0 win over Adrian Lewis in their all-Stoke quarter-final.

Taylor maintained his dominance over the youngster with a sensational display at the Citywest Hotel IECC.

Lewis has shown newfound maturity in winning two Players Championships recently alongside becoming a father and reaching the quarter-finals of the double-start event, but failed in his bid for a first ever televised win over Taylor.

Lewis actually led 2-0 in the first set, but Taylor hit back to snatch the deciding leg superbly and also took the second and third sets 3-2 before closing out victory.

“The final scoreline is a bit misleading because I thought Adrian played well, but the only thing that mattered is that I won,” said Taylor.

“Adrian’s been playing brilliantly recently and has grown up a little bit. If he’d been in the other half of the draw he may have got to the final, but he’ll have plenty more chances.

“I don’t think he realises how good he is, he will get to the top but he’s got to be patient and work at it. He gets disappointed in himself and is his own worst enemy.”

Lewis kicked off the match with a 15-darter and then broke Taylor’s throw in leg two, hitting a 180 and double top.

Taylor landed a 180 in taking the third, and double top to level – but looked to have gifted Lewis a chance when he missed four darts to open the deciding leg.

However, he hit two 180s and then punished a missed bullseye from Lewis to take out double 16 for a 14-darter and the set.

Taylor also landed a 164 to win the second set’s opener, but Lewis punished missed doubles to move 2-1 up – only to then waste two darts for the set in leg four.

Taylor hit double 16 to level, and then opened the decider with a 160 and 180, missing out on a potential nine-darter but landing double 16 to move 2-0 up.

The reigning champion then landed maximums in taking a 2-0 lead in set three, although Lewis hit double top to win the next two and level.

However, Taylor found another gear to open the deciding leg with a 160, and double eight earned him a three-set lead.

That proved a hammer blow to Lewis’ hopes, with Taylor taking the fourth set’s opener and then breaking throw, before hitting a 180 in an 11-darter to wrap up victory and a semi-final spot against Terry Jenkins.

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 4-0 JACKO BARRY
(3-1, 3-2, 3-2, 3-0)
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD ended Irish hopes at the Skybet World Grand Prix with a straight sets win against Jacko Barry.

Barry had defeated Mick McGowan and Steve Beaton to win through to the last eight on home soil, but was unable to repeat the magic against van Barneveld.

Barry actually won the opening leg, following three missed doubles from the Dutchman, but was denied a dart at a finish in the next three.

Van Barneveld wrapped up the set with finishes of 78, double eight and 76, for a 12-darter, in pushing ahead.

He landed a 180 in taking the second set’s opener, only for Barry to twice level in taking the set to a decider.

The lorry driver from Stamullen landed a 180 in the fifth leg, but van Barneveld was first to the finish and took out double eight for a 2-0 lead.

The Dutchman led in set three on double four, but traded 180s with Barry and then missed three darts to extend the advantage as the Irishman took out double 16.

Barry then took out a fine 14-darter, but van Barneveld stepped up a gear to deny him the chance to take the set by winning the next two legs in style.

That proved a telling blow, with van Barneveld taking the first two legs of the fourth set, including a 14-darter against the throw, before hitting a fifth maximum of the match and double four to secure victory and silence the Dublin crowd.

“The crowd went mad for Jacko and it was one of the greatest games I’ve played in,” said van Barneveld. “They were fantastic.

“Jacko deserved more than a 4-0 scoreline because he played well. I’ve played in front of these crowds a lot in the Premier League but it was new for him.

“I let him in to win the first leg but I was happy to win the first set. I’m pleased with how I’m hitting double 16 to start and happy with my game.”

Van Barneveld takes on Andy Hamilton in the semi-finals on Saturday, and is taking nothing for granted in his bid to reach a second successive Dublin final.

“Andy scores really well and his double percentage is high, but it’s a new game tomorrow and it’s a 50-50 call,” he added.

“He’s playing great darts, he beat Phil Taylor in a Players Championship last weekend and he’s a good player.”

Barry, who lives only 35 miles from the Citywest Hotel in Stamullen, won through to his first televised quarter-final in a dramatic contest, which saw Beaton come from behind to lead 2-1 only to let the advantage slip.

Barry, a truck driver by trade, will now meet five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld in the last eight on Friday night in front of a sell-out 3,000 crowd at the Citywest Hotel IECC.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Barry. “I’m absolutely delighted and I’m speechless, but I did it.

“I’ve beaten a World Champion in Steve and I get to play another now. I joined the PDC to play the likes of Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld, and to get to Ray in front of my home crowd is extra special.”

Van Barneveld also secured his place in the last eight in dramatic circumstances, defeating Wes Newton in a sudden-death leg.

Newton hit four ton-plus finishes and out-scored the five-time World Champion, whose composure in the final set took him to victory.

English pair Andy Hamilton and Kevin Painter will clash in the last eight following their victories over Mervyn King and Dennis Priestley.

Hamilton produced the most impressive showing of the night in a 3-0 win over King, dropping only two legs against last year’s semi-finalist.

Painter, meanwhile, came from a set down a 2-1 behind in the second to win eight successive legs against two-time World Champion Priestley.

Friday’s quarter-finals will also feature room-mates Terry Jenkins and Andy Smith, as well as the all-Stoke battle between defending champion Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis.

Skybet World Grand Prix
Second Round (Thursday)
Andy Hamilton 3-0 Mervyn King
Raymond van Barneveld 3-2 Wes Newton
Kevin Painter 3-1 Dennis Priestley
Jacko Barry 3-2 Steve Beaton

Quarter-Finals
6pm Friday
Terry Jenkins v Andy Smith
Kevin Painter v Andy Hamilton
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis
Jacko Barry v Raymond van Barneveld
Best of seven sets

ANDY HAMILTON 3-0 MERVYN KING
(3-1, 3-1, 3-0)
ANDY HAMILTON stormed into the quarter-finals of the Skybet World Grand Prix with a 3-0 win over Mervyn King.

Hamilton reached the last eight for the first time in a televised event since this tournament 12 months ago with a fine performance to see off in-form King.

Hamilton took the first set 3-1, winning the opening leg on double top before King levelled on double four.

King posted a 180 in the third, but Hamilton finished 95 on double 16 to lead 2-1 before defying another maximum from his opponent to hit double four and break throw for the set.

Hamilton hit three ton-plus scores and double top to break throw again and lead in set two, before hitting a 180 and double nine to move 2-0 up.

King hit back on double 16, but was left trailing in leg four as Hamilton wrapped up a two-set cushion on double ten.

King’s disappointing night continued as he missed three darts to win the third set’s opening leg, with double five coming to Hamilton’s rescue.

The Stoke ace then landed the bullseye for a 90 checkout in doubling the advantage and wrapped up victory with another 90 finish, this time on double 15 for a 14-darter.

“I’ve been lacking confidence through not winning but I’m coming good again,” said Hamilton.

“I’ve had a difficult 12 months but am getting back to something like I know I can be and we’ll see where it takes me.

“I beat Phil Taylor for the first time on Saturday in a Players Championship and that was good for me, then I got my first ever win over Mark Walsh on Tuesday, and now this. I can look forward to the quarter-finals now.”

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 3-2 WES NEWTON
(3-2, 0-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-2)
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD edged another final-leg thriller to book his place in the quarter-finals of the Skybet World Grand Prix with a 3-2 defeat of Wes Newton.

The Dutchman needed a 130 finish to defeat Alan Tabern in the first round on Tuesday and had to dig deep once again to see off in-form Newton in a decider.

Van Barneveld took the first set 3-2, with Newton missing one dart to break throw in the opening leg and also hitting a 180 in the fifth, only for the Dutchman to hold his nerve to lead.

Newton hit back superbly to take the second set without reply, checking out 141 in the first leg, 139 against the throw in the second and double ten to win the third.

The third set followed the same pattern as the first, with all five legs going against the throw as Newton missed two darts at double six in the decider to win the set.

Van Barneveld picked up his first break of throw to lead in set four, following seven missed doubles by Newton, who hit back in 14 darts to level.

Newton landed a 180 and double top to move 2-1 up, but took nine darts to hit an opening double in leg four, with van Barneveld posting double ten to square the leg.

But Newton prevailed in the decider, hitting double four to send the contest into a fifth set.

A missed bullseye from the Fleetwood ace gave van Barneveld a reprieve in the fifth set’s opener, before a 103 checkout allowed Newton to level.

Double ten gave van Barneveld a 2-1 cushion, but he could only watch as Newton took out 72 in two darts to force a sudden-death final leg.

The Englishman, though, missed his first five starting doubles to give van Barneveld a head start, and a score of only nine proved a telling blow in giving the Dutchman the breathing space to take out 70 in two darts for victory.

“It’s probably one of the strangest games I’ve been involved in,” said van Barneveld. “Wes played really well and kept hitting back at me but luckily I stayed calm in the final set and the last leg.

“In the first set it was all fine but then I’m not sure what happened in the first break. I lost my concentration and couldn’t find the treble 20 for a while after that.

“Maybe the game came around too soon and I wasn’t prepared enough because Andy Hamilton won 3-0 against Mervyn King and I expected it to be 3-2..

“I’ve not played a lot recently and the standard is so high that you have to dig in deep. I’ve had close games but I’ve hit the winning doubles too.”

KEVIN PAINTER 3-1 DENNIS PRIESTLEY
(1-3, 3-2, 3-0, 3-0)
KEVIN PAINTER battled from a set down to defeat Dennis Priestley 3-1 and move into the quarter-finals of the Skybet World Grand Prix.

Painter looked set to crash out of the event when Priestley took the first set and led 2-1 in the second – only to miss a stack of darts for a two-set lead.

Painter hit back and took the set, before winning the next six legs without reply to set up a quarter-final with Andy Hamilton on Friday.

Priestley took advantage of a sluggish start from Painter to win the opening leg against the throw and then the second leg with his tenth dart at a winning double.

The duo traded 180s in the third, before Painter hit the bullseye to get off the mark, but Priestley won the next on double eight to take the set.

Double top put Priestley ahead in the second set, but he missed the same bed to move 2-0 up as double 16 from Painter levelled.

A brilliant 125 finish from Priestley – of bullseye, outer bull and bullseye – put him 2-1 ahead, only for his finishing to desert him in the next leg.

Both players missed a host of doubles to win the leg, with Priestley wasting eight darts for the set before Painter hit double one.

Painter then hit a 180 in the deciding leg, before double 16 saw him square the match.

Painter won the third set’s opener with an 85 finish, despite a 180 from Priestley, who kicked off the second leg with a 160 start.

However, Painter produced a maximum of his own and double 16 for a 13-darter to break through, before scores of 180 and 140 helped him wrap up the set without reply.

Painter landed a 180 for a third successive leg in the fourth set’s opener, which Priestley opened with another 160 only to miss three darts for the closing double.

That allowed Painter in to land double eight, before double 16 put him 2-0 up, and another maximum helped him set up a double top finish for victory.

“It wasn’t a very good display and I’m just relieved to be through,” said Priestley. “I felt good going on stage but couldn’t find it for the first half of the game.

“Dennis should have been 2-0 up and running away with it. The second set was comedy darts and Dennis should have won that – but once I won it I didn’t look back.”

JACKO BARRY 3-2 STEVE BEATON
(3-0, 1-3, 1-3, 3-1, 3-2)
IRELAND’S Jacko Barry delighted his home fans with a final-leg thriller against Steve Beaton to reach the quarter-finals of the Skybet World Grand Prix.

Barry, who lives in Stamullen, won through to his first televised quarter-final in a dramatic contest, which saw Beaton come from behind to lead 2-1 only to let the advantage slip.

Barry, a truck driver by trade, will now meet five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld in the last eight on Friday night in front of a sell-out 3,000 crowd at the Citywest Hotel IECC.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Barry. “I’m absolutely delighted and I’m speechless, but I did it.

“I’ve beaten a World Champion in Steve and I get to play another now. I joined the PDC to play the likes of Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld, and to get to Ray in front of my home crowd is extra special.”

Barry certainly made a dream start, hitting 152 in his first three darts and double three for the first leg following four misses from Beaton.

The local favourite landed a 180 and double four to move 2-0 up, before punishing 14 missed starting doubles from Beaton in the next to wrap up the set comfortably on double eight.

He also led in the second set, but a 177 from Beaton to follow up a 180 from Barry seemed to spark the former World Champion to life.

He won the leg on double eight, the next on double ten and then took out 120 for a 12-darter to square the game.

Barry took the third set’s opener, but Beaton edged a scrappy second and then took out double 16 to lead 2-1.

Beaton then secured the set with another 12-dart leg, hitting a second maximum of the game and a brilliant 141 checkout to hit the front.

Double top put Beaton ahead in set four, but two missed darts at double 16 allowed Barry to level before he then wasted ten darts to wrap up the third leg, with double ten putting the Irishman in front.

Double top saw Barry secure the set, and he then took out 92 to edge ahead in set five.

Beaton hit a 180 in taking the second leg, but was left waiting on a finish as double 18 put Barry 2-1 up.

The Irishman then missed two darts for the match in leg four, with Beaton holding his nerve to take out double nine to force a decider, only to then miss three darts at an opening double.

Barry posted two 140s to leave himself 28, and sank double 14 at the first time of asking before sinking to his knees in delight at booking a last eight spot.

“When I lost the second set Steve really picked up and I knew I had to dig in,” said Barry. “I kept digging in and digging in, and said to myself I had to hold my own throw.

“I got away most of the time within the first three darts and Steve didn’t. I had to keep plugging away and try and punish him, and luckily enough I did it.

“I should have won the game in the penultimate leg but made an absolute mess of the finish, but I managed to get myself together for the last leg.”

Taylor defeated Wayne Jones 3-0 to progress to the last eight of the tournament, and missed the bullseye for a nine-darter in the process.

The attempt at a perfect leg came in what proved to be the game’s penultimate leg, opening with a 160 and then hitting a 180 before narrowly being off-target on the bull for a 161 finish – which would have earned him a £20,000 bonus and the honour of the first in a double-start format.

Taylor will now meet Adrian Lewis in Friday’s quarter-finals, with his Stoke rival and former practice partner defeating Gary Anderson 3-2 in a classic.

Lewis continued to show his newfound maturity since becoming a father in August with a high-quality display, including a 167 finish in seeing off the Scot in match that featured 16 180s.

“He’s been playing really well this week and his whole life has changed recently,” said Taylor. “He’s got responsibilities and it makes you be a lot more serious.

“It’s a game I’m looking forward to. Wayne was a really tough test for me because he got away on double 16 nearly every time, but that has set me up for the rest of the tournament.”

Terry Jenkins and Andy Smith, practice partners who are sharing an apartment during the tournament at the Citywest Hotel, will also meet in Friday’s quarter-finals following victories on Wednesday.

Jenkins defeated Mark Dudbridge 3-1 to reach the last eight for a fourth successive year, while Smith came from a set down to defeat 2004 champion Colin Lloyd 3-2.

Lloyd hit four ton-plus finishes in his clash with Smith and took the first set without reply, but failed to maintain that standard as Smith edged through.

Thursday sees the remaining four second round games take place, with world number three Raymond van Barneveld facing Wes Newton and Dennis Priestley – who knocked out James Wade on Tuesday – meeting Kevin Painter.

Dublin’s Jacko Barry returns to the stage following his first round win over local rival Mick McGowan when he takes on former World Champion Steve Beaton, while Mervyn King meets Andy Smith.

Skybet World Grand Prix
Second Round
Andy Smith 3-2 Colin Lloyd
Adrian Lewis 3-2 Gary Anderson
Phil Taylor 3-0 Wayne Jones
Terry Jenkins 3-1 Mark Dudbridge

Thursday (7pm)
Mervyn King v Andy Hamilton
Raymond van Barneveld v Wes Newton
Dennis Priestley v Kevin Painter
Steve Beaton v Jacko Barry

ANDY SMITH 3-2 COLIN LLOYD
(0-3, 3-2, 3-1, 2-3, 3-2)
ANDY SMITH came from a set down to edge out Colin Lloyd in a five-set thriller and reach the quarter-finals of the Skybet World Grand Prix.

Lloyd, the 2004 champion, looked set to power to victory following a brilliant opening set, only for Smith to hit back and lead 2-1.

Smith missed match darts in the fourth as Lloyd ensured a deciding fifth set, but the Studley-based thrower prevailed to move into only his second televised quarter-final.

Lloyd made a stunning start, winning the opening leg with a 124 finish, taking out 90 for a 14-darter against the throw in leg two and 110 for a 12-dart finish in sealing the set.

Smith got off the mark by winning the second set’s opener, and landed a 15-darter to lead 2-1 before Lloyd opened with scores of 160 and 180 in the fourth.

While he missed a possible nine-darter, Lloyd took the leg in 13 darts on double eight, only for Smith to edge the set on double 16.

Lloyd missed 12 darts at a double to open the third set, with Smith landing a 180 and double top to break before posting another maximum in taking a 2-0 lead.

Lloyd took out 156 to wi the third, only for Smith to win the set against the darts with a fine 105 finish.

Double top put Smith ahead in the next before Lloyd landed a 150 finish for a 12-darter in levelling.

The pair shared 180s in leg three, with Lloyd missing the bull to break as Smith landed tops.

Lloyd matched that finish to win leg four, and opened the deciding leg with scores of 160, 140 and 145 – but two missed darts for the set allowed Smith in needing 108 for victory.

After hitting 20 and treble 16, Smith missed double top for the match, with Lloyd hitting the same bed to square the game and ensure a deciding set.

The pair traded double top finishes to stay locked, before Lloyd missed nine darts to begin in leg three, eventually clawing his way back into the leg only to miss the bull as Smith broke on double five.

Smith then missed double 18 for the match in leg four, but Lloyd was unable to close out on double six and could only watch as his opponent returned to the oche and took victory.

ADRIAN LEWIS 3-2 GARY ANDERSON
(3-2, 2-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1)
ADRIAN LEWIS booked a spot in the quarter-finals of the Skybet World Grand Prix in a thrilling five-set contest with Gary Anderson.

The pair shared 16 maximums in one of the finest games seen in the tournament, which also featured a 167 finish from Lewis in three ton-plus checkouts.

The duo also exchanged words during a tense first set, with Anderson believing Lewis had encroached in the players’ exclusion zone around the oche.

Lewis put that behind him to take the set, with Anderson matching him over the next three to force a decider, but the Stoke youngster prevailed 3-1 in the fifth to progress to Friday’s quarter-finals.

“Gary thought I was standing on the stage and bouncing, but he apologised after because it happened to him too,” said Lewis.

“That was that, and I had to concentrate on what I had to go and we got on and had a fantastic game.

“We hit 16 180s between us and it was a good game, and I’m happy to get the win.”

Lewis showed newfound maturity in winning a Players Championship on Saturday and then to defeat Robert Thornton in round one, and continued that form against the Scot.

Both landed 180s in the game’s opening leg, which Lewis took on double top, only to miss four darts to take the second as Anderson levelled.

Lewis punished two misses from Anderson to take the third on tops, but the Scot landed another maximum in winning the fourth.

After the duo exchanged words during leg five, it was Lewis who took the opening set with a fine 14-darter.

Lewis also broke throw in the third set’s opened, only for Anderson to defy a 180 in winning the second with a 92 finish and then take out 100 for a 2-1 lead.

He missed double top for the set as Lewis levelled, but edged the fifth leg on double ten to square the contest.

Lewis hit scores of 180 and 140 in taking the third set’s opener, with Anderson powering back to level and hitting a 180 against the darts in the third leg.

But a missed double top let Lewis in on a 126 finish, which he took out on double six.

It was Lewis’ turn to miss finishing doubles in leg four, being off-target on double eight for the set as Anderson levelled.

However, the youngster applied a devastating touch to win the set, hitting a sensational 167 checkout to lead 2-1 in the match.

Anderson once again came back strongly, taking out double ten to win the opening two legs of set four, before Lewis traded 180s in leg three and took out 140 to pull back to 2-1.

The Scottish ace, though, posted double top to win the set and ensure the game would go all the way.

Anderson hit a ninth 180 of the match in the fifth set’s opener, landing double top to break throw and lead, only to miss double 12 in the next as Lewis levelled.

Lewis posted his seventh maximum in taking the third, before starting the next with scores of 160 and 140 seeing him pull clear and punish eight missed starting doubles from Anderson, before taking out tops for an 11-darter and victory.

PHIL TAYLOR 3-0 WAYNE JONES
(3-2, 3-1, 3-0)
PHIL TAYLOR powered into the quarter-finals of the Skybet World Grand Prix with a straight sets victory over Wayne Jones – and missed the bullseye for a historic nine-darter in the process.

Taylor almost became the first player in the history of the double-start tournament to achieve a perfect leg, hitting scores of 160 and 180 but narrowly missing the bullseye for a 161 checkout and a perfect leg.

Although he missed out on that achievement and a £20,000 bonus, he does remain on course for the £100,000 title following a dominant display.

Jones held his own early on, sharing the first four legs with Taylor only to see the defending champion win the opening set on double 16.

Jones’ accuracy on his starting double 16 continued in the second set, seeing him lead before Taylor levelled and then broke throw in the third leg.

Taylor then posted double 16 himself to win the set 3-1, and a 64 finish put him ahead in the third.

The 14-time World Champion then lined up a potential nine-darter in the next leg, following up his missed bullseye with double eight to take out an 11-dart finish to lead 2-0.

He then landed double 14 for a sixth successive leg in securing victory and a quarter-final against Stoke rival Adrian Lewis.

“That was hard work,” said Taylor. “I don’t think Wayne missed double 16 to start and that makes it so hard for you to play against.

“He’s a gritty player and it’s done me good because it was a big test and it’s set me up for the rest of the tournament.”

Taylor is a former mentor and practice partner of Lewis’, and has been impressed by the youngster’s more mature attitude in this event since becoming a father for the first time recently, particularly in a narrow second round win over Gary Anderson.

“Adrian did brilliantly and took some fantastic finishes out,” he said. “He’s been playing really well this week and his whole life has changed recently.

“He’s got responsibilities and it makes you be a lot more serious.”

TERRY JENKINS 3-1 MARK DUDBRIDGE
(3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 3-2)
TERRY JENKINS reached the quarter-finals of the Skybet World Grand Prix for a fourth successive year with a 3-1 win over Mark Dudbridge at the Citywest Hotel.

Jenkins, the runner-up in 2006 and 2007, continued his love-affair with the double-start event in a clinical display.

In a game featuring 11 maximums, seven hit by Dudbridge, it was Jenkins’ superior finishing which proved crucial in edging him the final two sets.

Dudbridge hit 180s in the opening two legs, only for Jenkins to be first to the double to lead 2-0 before double ten get the Bristolian off the mark.

But Jenkins won the fourth on the same double to win the first set – only for a brace of double seven finishes to put Dudbridge two-up in the second set.

Jenkins won leg three, but double two saw Dudbridge square the game in 13 darts with a quality set.

Jenkins then produced a pair of 13-darters, landing 180s and double ten in both legs to lead in the third, only for Dudbridge to punish missed doubles to level.

However, a fine 116 finish for a 12-darter saw Jenkins take the set and a 2-1 lead.

Both players began the fourth set with 160 scores, and Dudbridge broke throw to lead before a 13-darter saw Jenkins level as the pair traded maximums.

Jenkins then took out 98 in two darts to edge in front, as Dudbridge waited on 50 following a 180, but the two-time finalist missed two darts for the match in the next.

Double five kept Dudbridge in the game, but a missed double 11 for a 118 finish proved costly as Jenkins landed tops for victory.

“It was a really hard game,” said Jenkins. “Mark played how I expected, he has played well on the floor recently and scored well.

“I won the first set against the darts, I’m a quick starter and knew it was important but then Mark nicked the second set.

“The third was very important and I managed to edge the last one too.

“I like the double-start format, I’m usually quite good at that and I love playing in Ireland, so hopefully I can have a good week.”

Jenkins now meets Andy Smith in the quarter-finals – with the practice partners set to do battle on Friday night for a place in the last four.

“We go everywhere together and he’s my best mate,” said Jenkins. “We’re sharing an apartment here at the Citywest Hotel and practice together.

“We’ll put that aside on Friday night and still be friends afterwards, but I’ve got to forget that when I go on stage.”

At the top of the statistical tree surpsrisingly, is young Dutchman, Michael van Gerwen, though this statistic can mostly be ignored as “Mighty Mike” only won three legs from playing in one of the tournaments against Raymond van Barneveld, taking out 75% of his doubles.

Barney himself shows up best of those having played a sufficient amount of legs to get a reasonable result from, along with Mark Walsh, at just under 50%. Barney took out 45% of his doubles in Vegas and 51% in Blackpool.

Kevin Painter is fourth on the list with 47%, Phil Taylor close behind on just over 45% with “The Pieman” Andy Smith also on the same figure. Again, Smith’s stats are skewed by the fact he played a minimal number of legs over only the one tournament. The other player in the so called “Big Three”, James Wade sits on a healthy 44%, matching strides with John Part.

Right in their rear view mirror is Gary Anderson on 43%. That figure may surprise a few of the darting fraternity including Phil Taylor himself who has admitted “The Flying Scotsman” has the scoring power but needs to tighten up on his doubles. The likes of Jamie Caven and Mark Dudbridge are going to have to up their doubling in Dublin to have any chance of a run in the tournament sitting on 33% and 32% respectively.

In the relegation zone lie Colin Osborne, Andy Hamilton and Wayne Jones with 29, 28 and 26%. These boys really need to find their touch early or their stay in the “fair city” could be short lived. Though as I write this, Andy Hamilton has just had a superb warm-up for the Grand Prix by reaching the final of Saturday’s Players Championship, beating Phil Taylor 6-3 en route, which again highlights the dangers of betting over the short format.

Although a small sample size of only the two events, the Grand Prix really does live up to the old adage of trebles for show – doubles for dough.

A look at those heading the betting at the top of the outright market and there’s no escaping Phil Taylor, over the longer formats he simply has looked unstoppable this year. The biggest danger to him keeping his title this year is in all liklihood the first round.

The torment of Raymond van Barneveld has been a talking point for a considerable spell of time, yet in the Desert Classic final he trumped Phil Taylor on the maximums eight to six and as the stats show, recently his doubles have been of a higher standard than Taylor’s. This seems to illustrate that it’s not particularly his game that’s not in the best of health.

James Wade had his own darting health called into question in the South African Masters, enduring a problem with the index finger on his throwing hand., though it didn’t stop him reaching the final and he should have extended his recent unbeaten run against Taylor, missing three arrows at double 12 when looking to take a 5-4 lead with his own throw to come for the match. All being well “The Machine” should be set for a big tournament, though his dislike for playing agaisnt his first-round for Dennis Priestley and his deliberate throwing style are documented.

Looking at other players on Skybet’s winner market, Mark Walsh is one arrowsmith they don’t want to take on, sitting at 28-1 with the Harrogate based layers, yet as big as 40s in the high street.

With regards to the first round format and it’s tricky fast format, the slow starting Gary Anderson looks short enough at 1-5 against the veteran John Magowan though Anderson’s so called double-troubles seem to have been over-estimated on recent stats.

Phil Taylor at 1-20 against Brendan Dolan is a price bordering on the ridiculous. Dolan will have the crowd behind him and there are safer and easier ways to make some money from your punting. Adrian Lewis against Robert Thornton looks a “pick-em” affair, certainly tighter than the layers odds would suggest.

James Wade with his previously mentioned dislike for playing Priestley looks too short at 1-3 even though “The Menace” has been a little off the boil recently.

With regards to the “stats” markets, note that the number of maximums are low in this tournament in comparison to other events with the double-in format removing the possibility of two maximums on every leg. Likewise any potential nine darter is 20 points bigger to attain.

This should be a superb tournament though it is one of the more difficult on the calendar to gain a profit from. Stay away from those accumulators the layers love, look for value outsiders in the shock laden opening round and decide before Taylor faces Dolan whether you want 4-6 for Taylor on the outright, as if he does the business in the opener, this darting magician will make those odds disappear.

Get the latest odds throughout the tournament at The Tungsten Tipper. Sign up to be a member for all the benefits.

The unique double-start event will be played from October 5-11, with a tournament-record £350,000 in prize money on offer during the seven days, which are screened live on Sky Sports.

Defending champion Phil Taylor opens his bid for a record-extending ninth World Grand Prix title on Monday’s opening night, taking on Northern Ireland’s Brendan Dolan.

Taylor has dominated the tournament since its inception in 1998, claiming an eighth win with a 6-2 victory over Raymond van Barneveld in the final last year.

However, his three defeats have all come in the short, best-of-three set first round – against Kevin Painter in 2001, Andy Callaby in 2004 and Adrian Gray in 2007 – and Taylor admits he will need to be on form immediately at the Citywest Hotel

“It’s a format that challenges us all and I’m looking forward to it,” said Taylor, who took victory in the Virgin Atlantic South African Masters to warm up in style for the visit to Ireland.

“Brendan’s a quality player and in a short format if he hits his doubles that can put you under a lot of pressure.

“But I’m in good form at the moment, I’m having a successful year and looking to retain this title. It will be a tough challenge.”

The opening night will also see world number four John Part, the runner-up in 2002 and 2003, take on 2004 World Grand Prix winner Colin Lloyd, while Terry Jenkins faces rejuvenated Wayne Mardle.

Debutant Paul Nicholson meets Wayne Jones in the night’s opening game, while Donaghadee’s John MaGowan – the 68-year-old who reached the quarter-finals in 2005 – has drawn Scottish newcomer Gary Anderson.

Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld has not competed since the summer’s stanjames.com World Matchplay, but reached last year’s World Grand Prix final following a similar sabbatical.

“I’ve had good break this summer and am feeling refreshed,” said van Barneveld.

“I have been working hard in the gym and in practice recently, and I’ve been practising with Vincent van der Voort and Toon Greebe in Holland.

“The World Grand Prix is always very challenging because of the unique format of double-in and double-out. It’s an extra challenge and extra pressure for us all.

“But I’ve done quite well in this event in the past and hopefully I can give myself a great chance of winning this week.

“It’s been two years since I won the Las Vegas Desert Classic, my last title on TV, and I’d love to win another TV tournament.”

Van Barneveld takes on Alan Tabern in the first round on Tuesday, a night which also features 2007 champion James Wade, who meets two-time World Champion Dennis Priestley.

“It’s always a challenge playing Dennis but I’m really excited going into this event,” said Wade. “It’s a great test for all players and I enjoy it.

“I felt I played pretty well to reach the South African Masters last week and hopefully I can build on that in Dublin.”

Tuesday’s games also include the all-Irish clash between Mick McGowan and Jacko Barry, who live only a couple of miles apart in the towns of Balbriggan and Stamullen, north of Dublin.

“When I first joined the PDC, Mick took me under his wing and looked after me in the first couple of months until I knew what I was doing,” said Barry.

“We still travel together when we go away to tournaments but for that half hour or so on Tuesday, though, the friendship will go out of the window!”

McGowan has slipped out of the world’s top 32 in the last 18 months following a loss of form and a battle with a blood disorder, but believes he can begin to climb back up the rankings with a good run in the World Grand Prix.

“It’s been a horrible 18 months to be honest and this is a great chance for me to kick-start things,” said McGowan.

“I’ve been putting a lot of work in and a lot of practice over the last six to eight weeks to get ready for this and I’m feeling really confident.

“I’m probably looking forward to this more than I have any tournament in the last 18 months because I’ve had health problems but got the all-clear now and am feeling really fit and really good again.”

Another high-profile first round game will see UK Open runner-up Colin Osborne face world number seven Mervyn King, a semi-finalist in the 2008 World Grand Prix who hit a nine-dart finish in the South African Masters last Sunday.

The event’s second round will be played across Wednesday and Thursday, with the quarter-finals in one session on Friday night.

Saturday evening sees the semi-finals take place, with the tournament culminating in the final on Sunday, with players competing for the event’s first £100,000 first prize.

The tournament this year will be staged in the brand new Citywest Hotel International Event and Conference Centre arena, doubling the capacity to 3,000 fans per session.

Tickets for the Skybet World Grand Prix are still available from the Citywest Hotel Box Office on 00353 1401 0505 or via darts09@citywesthotel.ie.

2009 Skybet World Grand Prix Tournament Information
Schedule of Play
Monday October 5
First Round
6pm Start
Wayne Jones v Paul Nicholson
Andy Smith v Vincent van der Voort
Denis Ovens v Mark Dudbridge
John Part v Colin Lloyd
John MaGowan v Gary Anderson
Phil Taylor v Brendan Dolan
Terry Jenkins v Wayne Mardle
Adrian Lewis v Robert Thornton

Tuesday October 6
First Round
6pm Start
Wes Newton v Jamie Caven
Andy Hamilton v Mark Walsh
Kevin Painter v Michael van Gerwen
Mervyn King v Colin Osborne
Jacko Barry v Mick McGowan
James Wade v Dennis Priestley
Raymond van Barneveld v Alan Tabern
Ronnie Baxter v Steve Beaton

Wednesday October 7
Second Round
7pm Start
Part/Lloyd v Smith/van der Voort
Lewis/Thornton v MaGowan/Anderson
Taylor/Dolan v Jones/Nicholson
Jenkins/Mardle v Ovens/Dudbridge

Thursday October 8
Second Round
7pm Start
King/Osborne v Hamilton/Walsh
van Barneveld/Tabern v Newton/Caven
Wade/Priestley v Painter/van Gerwen
Baxter/Beaton v Barry/McGowan
Friday October 9

Quarter-Finals
6pm Start
Jenkins/Mardle/Ovens/Dudbridge v Part/Lloyd/Smith/van der Voort
Wade/Priestley/Painter/van Gerwen v King/Osborne/Hamilton/Walsh
Taylor/Dolan/Jones/Nicholson v Lewis/Thornton/MaGowan/Anderson
Baxter/Beaton/Barry/McGowan v van Barneveld/Tabern/Newton/Caven
Saturday October 10

Semi-Finals
7pm Start
Sunday October 11

Final
7pm Start

Format
First Round: Best of three sets
Second Round: Best of five sets
Quarter-Finals: Best of seven sets
Semi-Finals: Best of nine sets
Final: Best of 11 sets
All sets are the best of five legs.
All games are double-start and double-finish, meaning a player must first hit a double before he can begin scoring in each leg.
There will be no Tie Break rule employed.

Prize Fund
Winner: £100,000
Runner-Up: £40,000
Semi-Finalists: £20,000
Quarter-Finalists: £12,500
Second Round Losers: £7,000
First Round Losers: £4,000
Total: £350,000
In addition, should a player hit a nine-dart finish, they would receive a £20,000 bonus. If more than one player achieves this feat, the bonus would be shared equally on a pro rata basis.

‘The Machine’ is battling against a freak injury which saw him injure his finger in an accident at home, however he remains confident of his chances: ‘’ I am really looking forward to the World Grand Prix as it is a true test of ability with the double start format. I was very disappointed last year to lose first round and not perform my best to retain the title I won in 2007′ commented the Aldershot based star.

After losing to Tony Eccles last year in Ireland, James fought back to secure a 100k cheque and the prize of Premier League Champion, hopwever since then he admits recent results have not beenas good as he has hoped for adding : “Since winning the Whyte & Mackay Premier League title I have not been playing my best, but recent practice has proved to be good, as my results at the Championship league of darts showed, where I was unbeaten and beat Phil on 2 occasions”.

With a competitive field and a unique double start format, the World ranked number 2 knows he will have to be at his best to win another major title commenting “The main danger to my chances are Phil who is playing some of his best ever darts this year and the in form Mervyn King, who I hope to play in the last 8. If we can reach that round it should be a very good game of darts. It would be nice for me and my main sponsors 180poker.com if I can win Grand Prix title again’’

For the latest prices on the World Grand Prix Darts visit www.180bets.com

With just eight seeds the draw threw up some intriguing games and I’m struggling to pick the true favourite in several of them. Many in the 32 man field will look at their opening game with some trepidation and there will be scant few toasting their Irish luck with a cold Guiness.

Below I’ve picked out some highlights of what promises to be a spectacular opening couple of nights of darts on the Emerald Isle.

Raymond van Barneveld v Alan Tabern
Barney will part company with his ubiquitous manager after this tournament and both will want to go out on a high. But the big Dutchman’s form hasn’t been good this year and the demons rose to the surface in Vegas. Meanwhile Tabern has been quietly going about his business and over the last year or so has firmly established himself as a top class player. This has all the makings of a first round shock but don’t be surprised to see Barney rekindle his best form and go all the way here. I can’t call a winner in this one.

Andy Hamilton v Mark Walsh
Hamilton has been threatening a big win for some time now but has yet to deliver. This is about as tough a first round draw as it gets given Walsh’s form in 2009, but Walsh will be thinking the exact same thing. I make this potentially the match of round one and it’s another that’s too close to call.

Mervyn King v Colin Osborne
When King switched he took to the PDC like a duck to water, in much the same way that Osborne did when he broke through. The crunch time comes when you have to defend all those precious Order Of Merit points and the honeymoon will soon be over for Merv. Both are playing well and although I give King the edge, I won’t be putting my money behind him.

Wes Newton v Jamie Caven
Newton has the TV experience but Caven is the man in form. Jabba will go into this as bookies’ favourite on the back of his two Pro Tour wins in 2009, but Newton is playing well again so this match is another that I think will go to the wire and is impossible to call.

Wayne Jones v Paul Nicholson
Pick the bones out of this one if you can. Jones has been one of the most consistent performers away from the cameras this year but always struggles to take that form to the biggest stage. Nicholson doesn’t have a great deal of experience at this level but has always done well on TV. I put them neck and neck in this and will be looking elsewhere when waging my dosh.

Adrian Lewis v Robert Thornton
Like King, The Thorn burst onto the PDC scene but has find it harder going lately. Lewis is looking something more like the player who was touted as a future world champion and will be favourite in this. But we’ve seen Jackpot implode many times before and this looks like another game to watch with your money safely tucked away in your pocket.

Andy Smith v Vincent van der Voort
This is a tournament that should suit VvdV down to the ground. I have a sneaky feeling for him this week but The Pieman has come into some good of late and will be a tough nut to crack. I see this as another match that could easily go either way, impossible to separate the pair.

Jacko Barry v Mick McGowan
An all Irish clash that is difficult to predict. McGowan lives just down the road and will feel at home but has been woefully out of form for some time now, only just beginning to pick his career up again. Barry has played this stage before and won’t be overawed so this could come down to he who blinks first.

Full draw:- DartsMad Prediction
Phil Taylor (1) v Brendan Dolan Taylor
Wayne Jones v Paul Nicholson Jones
Adrian Lewis (8) v Robert Thornton Lewis
John MaGowan v Gary Anderson Anderson
Terry Jenkins (5) v Wayne Mardle Jenkins
Denis Ovens v Mark Dudbridge Dudbridge
John Part (4) v Colin Lloyd Part
Andy Smith v Vincent vd Voort Vd Voort
James Wade (2) v Dennis Priestley Wade
Kevin Painter v Michael v Gerwen Painter
Mervyn King (7) v Colin Osborne King
Andy Hamilton v Mark Walsh Walsh
Ronnie Baxter (6) v Steve Beaton Baxter
Jacko Barry v Mick McGowan Barry
Ray v Barneveld (3) v Alan Tabern Barneveld
Wes Newton v Jamie Caven Caven

The £350,000 tournament – unique for having to start and finish a leg with a double – will be held in the Citywest Hotel IECC from October 5-11, offering £100,000 to the champion.

Taylor, who picked up an eighth title last year when he defeated Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 in the final, has drawn Co Fermanagh’s Brendan Dolan in round one.

Dolan, ranked 48th in the PDC Order of Merit, will be making his third World Grand Prix appearance and secured his qualifying place for the tournament by reaching the semi-finals of the Austrian Open Players Championship recently.

However, he has picked up arguably the toughest draw, facing reigning champion Taylor on the opening night on Monday October 5, in the best-of-three set first round.

“I’m looking forward to the game,” said Taylor. “The first round is always hard because it’s so short but it’s a good challenge to get through.

“I know how good Brendan is and he’s had a good year, plus he’ll be looking to put on a good show, and he’ll have plenty of support from Northern Ireland.”

While a number of leading players were drawn together, including 2004 winner Colin Lloyd against world number three John Part and Terry Jenkins against Wayne Mardle, two leading Irish players will also clash.

Balbriggan’s Mick McGowan and Stamullen-based Jacko Barry – the only two Irish representatives in the field – were drawn together for the opening round as both battle for supremacy as their country’s number one player.

World number two James Wade, the 2007 World Grand Prix champion, will begin his challenge to win back the title against two-time World Champion Dennis Priestley, while van Barneveld has drawn left-hander Alan Tabern.

Two players will make their debuts in the double-start format on the opening night, with Australian Open Players Championship winner Paul Nicholson facing Wayne Jones and Scotland’s Gary Anderson meeting Northern Irish veteran John MaGowan.

Exciting Dutch youngster Michael van Gerwen will make his debut on the Citywest Hotel stage on Tuesday when he takes on Kevin Painter, while number seven seed Mervyn King meets UK Open runner-up Colin Osborne in another tasty first round clash.

The Skybet World Grand Prix will be the first sporting event to be staged in the new International Event and Conference Centre at Saggart’s Citywest Hotel, increasing the capacity to over 3,000 fans for the tournament.

Ticket prices start at €15 and tickets are still available from the Citywest Hotel Box Office on 00353 1 401 0505 or via darts09@citywesthotel.com.

Skybet World Grand Prix
Monday October 5
First Round
Wayne Jones v Paul Nicholson
Andy Smith v Vincent van der Voort
Denis Ovens v Mark Dudbridge
John Part v Colin Lloyd
John MaGowan v Gary Anderson
Phil Taylor v Brendan Dolan
Terry Jenkins v Wayne Mardle
Adrian Lewis v Robert Thornton

Tuesday October 6
First Round
Wes Newton v Jamie Caven
Andy Hamilton v Mark Walsh
Kevin Painter v Michael van Gerwen
Mervyn King v Colin Osborne
Jacko Barry v Mick McGowan
James Wade v Dennis Priestley
Raymond van Barneveld v Alan Tabern
Ronnie Baxter v Steve Beaton

Wednesday October 7
Second Round
Part/Lloyd v Smith/van der Voort
Lewis/Thornton v MaGowan/Anderson
Taylor/Dolan v Jones/Nicholson
Jenkins/Mardle v Ovens/Dudbridge

Thursday October 8
Second Round
King/Osborne v Hamilton/Walsh
van Barneveld/Tabern v Newton/Caven
Wade/Priestley v Painter/van Gerwen
Baxter/Beaton v Barry/McGowan

Friday October 9
Quarter-Finals
Jenkins/Mardle/Ovens/Dudbridge v Part/Lloyd/Smith/van der Voort
Wade/Priestley/Painter/van Gerwen v King/Osborne/Hamilton/Walsh
Taylor/Dolan/Jones/Nicholson v Lewis/Thornton/MaGowan/Anderson
Baxter/Beaton/Barry/McGowan v van Barneveld/Tabern/Newton/Caven

Saturday October 10
Semi-Finals

Sunday October 11
Final

The draw bracket and seedings are:
Phil Taylor (1) v Brendan Dolan
Wayne Jones v Paul Nicholson
Adrian Lewis (8) v Robert Thornton
John MaGowan v Gary Anderson
Terry Jenkins (5) v Wayne Mardle
Denis Ovens v Mark Dudbridge
John Part (4) v Colin Lloyd
Andy Smith v Vincent van der Voort
James Wade (2) v Dennis Priestley
Kevin Painter v Michael van Gerwen
Mervyn King (7) v Colin Osborne
Andy Hamilton v Mark Walsh
Ronnie Baxter (6) v Steve Beaton
Jacko Barry v Mick McGowan
Raymond van Barneveld (3) v Alan Tabern
Wes Newton v Jamie Caven