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Unicorn’s World No.1 was back to his very best, beating Dennis Priestley with that incredible slice of darting perfection.

‘Jaws’ bit a slice out of ‘The Menace’ who was in his third final in the space of a month.
Lloyd won the final 6 legs to 3.

He was 4-3 in front in the final and hit seven perfect darts on the way to the sport’s ‘Holy Grail’ before missing the shot at treble 15.

But Lloyd wasn’t to be denied. He won the match with that spectacular 9-darter – hitting seven treble 20s, treble 19 and double 12, to raise the roof at the Crosbie Cedars in Rosslare.

What a comeback from Lloyd, after he was thrashed 8-1 by Phil Taylor on the opening night of the Premier League in Blackburn.

“I am just thrilled,” he said. “I wanted to perform at my best and to hit a 9-darter to win it is just a dream!”

He added: “What a way to finish! It is the first 9-darter I have ever hit in competition, so I am delighted. It is a tough tournament to win and I beat some very good players along the way.”

Lloyd is making a habit of spectacular victories….remember his 170 check-out to beat John Part in the final of last year’s World Matchplay at Blackpool.

It was another successful weekend for Team Unicorn. Defending Irish Masters Champion James Wade came close again. He got through to the semi-finals before being edged out 5-3 by Priestley.

But his fine run will take him closer to a coveted place in the world’s top 16.

There was a repeat of that controversial World Championship quarter-final, as Team Unicorn’s Adrian Lewis and Peter Manley went head-to-head. This time, Lewis won 4-1 but the youngster came unstuck against rising star Colin Osborne in the quarter-finals.

Osborne had earlier accounted for Kevin Painter 4-0 in the last 16.

But Lloyd grabbed all the headlines – and deservedly so! We will be talking to Lloyd exclusively on the Unicorn website later in the week, to preview the second night on the 2006 Premier League in Sunderland.

Irish Masters – Results

Final

Colin Lloyd 6-3 Dennis Priestley

Semi-Finals

Colin Lloyd 5-1 Colin Osborne
Dennis Priestley 5-3 James Wade

Quarter-Finals

Colin Lloyd 4-3 Mark Walsh
Colin Osborne 4-1 Adrian Lewis
Dennis Priestley 4-3 Ronnie Baxter
James Wade 4-2 Colin Monk

Last 16

Colin Lloyd 4-3 Chris Mason
Mark Walsh 4-2 Steve Alker
Colin Osborne 4-0 Kevin Painter
Adrian Lewis 4-1 Peter Manley
Ronnie Baxter 4-2 Dennis Smith
Dennis Priestley 4-1 Denis Ovens
Colin Monk 4-3 Wayne Jones
James Wade 4-1 Richie Burnett

By Stuart Pyke