Monaghan native Shane McGuirk had a fantastic day at the opening Players Championship darts event in Hildeheim, Germany on Monday, reaching the last 16 of the event which was won overall by James Wade. McGuirk, who’s only had his Tour Card since last month, beat Dutchman Sietse Lap in the opening round by six legs to one, before winning games against Ryan Searle and Lukas Wenig by six legs to one, averaging 87, 93 and 95 in a very impressive afternoon for the Irishman. His promising display eventually came to an end against three time World Champion Michael van Gerwen however, as he lost his last 16 tie by six legs to three. McGuirk averaged 94, but could’nt outscore “Mighty Mike”.
Yesterday, at the second Players Championship event of the 2026 season, McGuirk was drawn against Belgian Dmitri Van den Bergh, and despite averaging 83, McGuirk whitewashed the 2020 World Matchplay Champion by six legs to none. McGuirk’s afternoon came to an earelier stop than it did on the Monday however, as he was dispatched by Jermaine Wattimena, who beat him by six legs to four. McGuirk is back in action on Monday when the Pro Tour heads to Wigan.
