Poor start for Irish at World Darts Championship
It was a poor start to the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship for the Irish contingent at Alexandra Palace yesterday.
Dromore's Felix McBrearty was comprehensively beaten 3-0 in the first round by 29th seeded Welshman Barrie Bates, while Irish Matchplay champion Shane O'Connor failed to get even that far - losing out in the preliminary rounds.
Meanwhile, 13-times champion Phil Taylor cruised past pub landlord Steve Grubb in his opening match, winning every single leg.
The big shock of the day came from 2000 semi-finalist Dennis Smith, who beat world number five Terry Jenkins 3-1.
Today sees second seed Raymond van Barneveld in action, against Newcastle's Mark Stephenson.
