More Irish joy for Taylor

Taylor: Irish victory

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Phil Taylor claimed another victory on Irish soil after capturing the John McEvoy Gold Dart Classic in Killarney.

'The Power' whitewashed Geordie-born Aussie Paul Nicholson in the final to win a third successive tournament, taking his tally for 2009 to 18 ranking titles, and follow up on his victory in the World Grand Prix last week.

Having also won Saturday's non-ranked Irish Masters, Taylor claimed a weekend double at Ireland's National Event Centre with some superb darts - dropping only four legs in seven games.

He picked up three whitewash victories in his opening four games, against Mick Egan, Patrick O'Donovan and Michael van Gerwen, and dropped just one leg in defeating Wayne Mardle and Andy Hamilton.

Wayne Jones, Taylor's victim in Saturday's final, took two legs in their semi-final but again emerged on the end of a defeat, before the world number one brutally saw off Nicholson in the final in under a quarter of an hour.

Second final

Nicholson claimed £3,000 for reaching his second PDC Pro Tour final of the year, and the run could also see him claim a qualifying place for the European Championship in a fortnight.

However, two further Players Championships will be held in Holland next weekend before the field for that event, being held from October 29-November 1 is confirmed.

Jamie Caven reached the semi-finals for the third time in his last four Players Championship events, before being edged out by Nicholson.

Wes Newton's run of form continued with a run to the last eight, while Andy Jenkins - last year's runner-up in Killarney - Mark Dudbridge and Hamilton were the other quarter-final losers.

Defending champion Terry Jenkins was a second round loser to Dennis Smith, while Mickey Mansell was the most successful of around 100 entrants from the Emerald Isle, reaching the last 16 - including wins over Peter Wright and Roland Scholten - before losing to Nicholson.