WILLIE O'CONNOR'S vow to win a PDC Players Championship this year was halted at the quarter final stages today by a rampant Ryan Searle.
Limerick man Willie was well in contention to make it to the final four when he was locked at 4-4 with Searle, and having the throw in that ninth leg.
However a stunning 164 finish on the bull for a 12 dart leg from Searle turned the tide in his favour and he marched on to a 6-4 win with a 13-dart final leg.
It means O'Connor's quest to win a ranked PDC Players Championship in 2025 will go on for now, even if he will be more than satisfied with his day's work.
He made it to the last eight with impressive early wins over Madars Razma, Bradley Brooks and Dave Chisnall.
O'Connor then had to dig deep to come back from 5-3 down against Raymond van Barneveld to win in a last leg decider that set up the clash with Searle.
Elsewhere, fellow Irishman Mickey Mansell made it as far as the last 16, before he too fell to Searle in a last leg decider.
Josh Rock also had a good run today, but the Northern Irishman fell at the last eight hurdle in a defeat to Stefan Bellmont.
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