Pride in Daryl Gurney and Josh Rock after NI win World Cup

Family and friends of Northern Ireland’s newest world champions have said the sensation of watching them triumph felt “unreal”.

Daryl Gurney and Josh Rock clinched glory for NI in the World Cup of Darts on Sunday night.

The team lifted the trophy for the first time with victory over Wales in a final-leg decider.

Gurney and Rock picked up a team first prize of £80,000 after beating two-time champions Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton 10-9 in Frankfurt.

They were playing together for the first time but Gurney’s dad Tommy Gurney said “they just clicked and pulled off something unreal”.

Mr Gurney said he was “one very proud father”.

“I can’t actually put it into words, I am just as proud as anyone can be,” he told BBC News NI.

“Some of the family was over there with him for the final and let me just say there were just so many tears.

“I phoned him after his first game, and I told him he’s trying too hard and I said; ‘Just let them go’, play your game, and after that he was throwing better then.”

Mr Gurney bought his son, who grew up in Londonderry, a set of darts as a 12-year-old and after he “messed about” for a bit he took up the game seriously at 14.

“He just kept getting better and we knew there was something special there – I think he did a 10-darter when he was 15,” Mr Gurney said.

He said representing Northern Ireland was special to his son.

“He said it himself, this one is even better than any of the individuals he won,” he said.

“He’s won the World Grand Prix and the Players Championship, but I think this means a bit more than any of the individuals.”

Brian Doran, who is friends with Rock and has played alongside him, said it was brilliant to see him win the World Cup.

“I’ve been watching it the whole weekend and basically watch all of Josh’s matches, he’s unreal,” Mr Doran said.

“He’s just been getting better and better and better in every tournament.

“It just took this one major, wait to you see what he wins now.”

When watching his friend from Broughshane in County Antrim compete on Sunday, Mr Doran said he had “goose pimples” and was “sweating, hoping he did it”.

“Because it is Northern Ireland, we are basically an underdog at times, and they actually put our name on a trophy to say we are world cup champions.”

Julie-Ann Coll told BBC News NI the whole of Tullyally in Derry was incredibly proud of “hometown hero” Gurney.

Ms Coll grew up on the same street as the star and is best friends with his sister.

“I wouldn’t have missed that final for the world. I was actually a bit sick in bed, unfortunately, but I had to watch them,” she said.

“It was very tense. I always say to Stacey, Daryl doesn’t like to do things the easy way.

“Many times, I was crying, shaking, and screaming at the TV.

“The family and just everyone here is so very proud of everything he has done.

“It shows all the young people here, if you put your mind to something, practice a lot, you can achieve anything.

“A world cup coming back home, it’s just unreal.”