Cork darts ace John O'Shea pulls off a major shock in BDO World Masters

CORK darts ace John O'Shea upset the odds to record the biggest victory of his career at the One80 L-Style World Masters.

The northsider is rated as the world number 219 in the BDO rankings but landed the crown at the Circus Tavern after defeating Scott Waites, a two-time world champion. It means he'll compete in the BDO World Championships in the new year in London.

St Vincent's GAA paid tribute to the 44-year-old for his brilliant display on Sunday night.

"Congratulations to John O’Shea - one of our own, on winning the World Masters BDO darts championship tonight.

"Watched it live on Eurosport and he played some fantastic darts all week. Well done John and enjoy the celebrations"

Known as ‘The Joker’, his form was no laughing matter as the 2016 quarter-finalist built on wins over Milan Slama, Dave Evans, Jacques Labre and Justin Hood in the early rounds. 

O'Shea then took out Willem Mandigers and Neil Duff to reach the last four. 

Belgian Mario Vandenbogaerde was seen off in the semi-final before O'Shea held his nerve against Waites, a double 10 sealing the deal after the favourite battled back to push the Corkonian all the way.

"Three or four weeks ago I probably thought I was going to pack it in because I couldn't throw because my leg was in trouble," O'Shea told Eurosports after.

"I got it sorted still coming into this but it still wasn't 100%.

"I'm emotionally drained."