Super cool Barry can now prepare for World stage

Talented Duleek darts player Keane Barry can today sit back and savour the achievement of having won the 2019 Tom Kirby Memorial Irish Matchplay after he defeated Liam Gallagher 6-5 last night in dramatic circumstances at City West. 

The win earns the right to play in the William Hill World Darts Championship for the first time in London in December. Barry will be among the elite of the game at the championships. 

Last night the teenager showed tremendous confidence and composure. He took took the lead but his opponent Liam Gallagher from Galway came back strongly to go in front 3-1 and was on the edge of a victory. Barry hit back with a 12-darter, before Gallagher bounced back again to lead 5-2. 

However the young Galway man would ultimately pay a big price  for missing ten match darts across the next three legs as Barry took out 96, double 16 and 106 to save the match as the tie went to a sudden-death leg.

Barry then missed two match darts himself as the tension increased. Gallagher also missed an 11th chance for victory as he failed to land tops for a 117 finish, allowing the young Meath player a way back. Barry landed double six and completed the dramatic fightback.

Afterwards Barry spoke about how the victory was a dream come true and how, despite the pressure and the tension, he had really enjoyed himself under the limelight. 

Barry, who attended school in Drogheda,  works with his father's scaffolding business told the Meath Chronicle he spends no more than 90 minutes or so practicing each day. 

"I would spend an hour or an hour and 30 minutes I wouldn't be someone who spends a lot of time practicing. Some might do two or three hours I perfer one hour or an hour-and-a-half, it's what works for me."