Teenager Keane Barry fell just short of making his first ever major World Darts final on Sunday, after already making his first ever appearance in a major semi-final.
The Meath native broke into the semi-finals of the UK Open on Sunday evening, after beating defending champion James Wade in the quarter final of the UK Open.
He went on to face Michael Smith in his semi-final, ultimately falling short by 11-6, having lost the last nine legs in a row.
π¦π ππ§π ππ¦ ππ‘π§π’ π§ππ πππ‘ππ!
Michael Smith is a giant step closer to fulfilling his darting destiny after reeling off NINE consecutive legs to defeat the impressive youngster Keane Barry 11-6!
Unplayable.
πΊ Up next π William O'Connor v Danny Noppert pic.twitter.com/NkBY2tyXOaβ PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 6, 2022
Barry got off to a flying start in his maiden semi-final, with 4-1 lead heading into the break. It looked as if he was going to do a repeat of his quarter-final.
πππ₯π₯π¬ πππππ¦ ππ¬ π§ππ₯ππ!
A dream opening session for the 19-year-old who heads into the first break with a commanding 4-1 lead over Smith!
He looks incredibly composed up there...#CazooUKOpen | Semi-Finals pic.twitter.com/OjV6vByEFBβ PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 6, 2022
His lead stretched to 6-2 with a break in the form of 70 on double eight but Smith began his ascent back into the tie as his level increased as Barryβs dropped off.
This started with an 84 checkout on the bull for a break back at 6-3 down. Smith swept seven straight legs in a row in an incredible comeback as he went 9-6 up.
Smith took an an eighth consecutive leg on the return from the interval as he held on double five for a 10-6 lead. A 105 checkout saw Smith over the line and into the final.
However, Barry can be content that this was his best of his very young career to date, as the 19-year-old thrashed the defending champion James Wade 10-4 in their quarter-final.
The teenager hit 100.19, four 180βs and 59% on the doubles on the way to his historic victory. He went into an early lead with a second 180 and a 120 checkout to go 3-0 up.
While defending UK Open champion Wade managed to get off the mark on the other side of the interval, Barry took out 82 for a 12-darter to go 5-1 up and hit a 62 checkout for a 7-2 lead.
In an attempted fightback, Wade hit back with a 102 checkout to go 7-4 down. This was nothing but a consolation, however, as βDynamiteβ Barry powered to his maiden quarter-final win.
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