The electric atmosphere inside Wolverhampton’s Aldersley Leisure Village turned volcanic on Sunday night as Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney crashed out of the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts in a blaze of frustration. The 39-year-old from Magherafelt, making his first appearance in the prestigious tournament since 2019, suffered a 5-3 defeat to Czech underdog Karel Sedlacek in Group F—and what happened immediately after the final dart left jaws on the floor.
As the players exchanged a brief, tense handshake, Gurney abruptly turned and marched toward referee Kirk Bevins. What started as a pointed conversation rapidly escalated into a full-throated confrontation. The Northern Irishman’s arms flailed, his face flushed with anger, and his voice carried across the hushed arena. Security personnel edged closer, ready to intervene, but the exchange remained verbal—though no less intense. Footage captured Gurney jabbing a finger toward the official, his body language screaming injustice, before he stormed off stage, darts still clutched tightly in his hand.
For Gurney, the loss was more than a statistical setback; it was the premature end of a long-awaited return. “I’ve waited six years to get back here,” he had said ahead of the tournament, his eyes gleaming with determination. “This is where the big boys play, and I belong on this stage.” His qualification had been hard-earned—a reward for consistent performances on the Pro Tour and a reminder that “Superchin” still packs a punch despite a challenging few seasons. Yet the Grand Slam’s brutal group format offers no mercy. One slip, and you’re gone.
And slip he did. Sedlacek, the 30-year-old from Prague riding a wave of confidence after strong showings on the European Tour, proved an immovable object. Known for his ice-cold finishing and relentless scoring power, the Czech star averaged just under 97 across the match, punishing every missed double Gurney left behind. The turning point came in the seventh set when Gurney, trailing 4-2, spurned three darts at double 16 to level the match. Sedlacek pounced, rattling off the next leg with a 13-darter to move within touching distance of victory. The final set was a microcosm of the night: Gurney fought, Sedlacek finished, and the board never lied.
But the real drama unfolded in the aftermath. While the exact words exchanged between Gurney and Bevins remain unclear—arena microphones picked up only muffled intensity—onlookers reported the player repeatedly gesturing toward the scoring monitor and questioning calls made during critical legs. One fan near the stage claimed Gurney shouted, “That was never a 60! How do you miss that?”—a reference to a possible scoring discrepancy that may have cost him a crucial leg earlier in the match. Whether justified or not, the outburst was vintage Gurney: passionate, unfiltered, and unwilling to exit quietly.
Tournament officials have yet to comment publicly, but PDC regulations allow for fines or suspensions for conduct unbecoming a professional. Gurney has history—having been warned in 2022 for a similar post-match rant—so a review of the incident is expected. For now, the player has gone silent on social media, leaving fans to dissect the footage frame by frame.
The defeat was sealed beyond doubt when teenage sensation Luke Littler demolished Connor Scutt 5-3 in the night’s other Group F clash. The 18-year-old world champion-in-waiting fired in six 180s and averaged 102.4, ensuring Sedlacek topped the group and Gurney finished bottom with zero points. “It’s tough to take,” Gurney had admitted in pre-tournament interviews. “But I’ll keep throwing, keep fighting. That’s all I know.”
Across the hall, another thriller unfolded in Group G. Women’s world number one Beau Greaves pushed two-time world champion Gary Anderson to the absolute limit before falling 5-4 in a decider. The 21-year-old from Doncaster, who has shattered barriers by competing on the PDC main tour, led 4-3 at one stage and had a dart to win the match. But Anderson, the ageless “Flying Scotsman,” produced a vintage 11-darter to steal the leg, the set, and the match. “She’s some player,” Anderson said afterward, shaking his head in admiration. “If she keeps this up, she’ll win everything.”
Greaves, undeterred, now faces a must-win clash against Germany’s Niko Springer on Tuesday to keep her knockout hopes alive. “I gave him a scare,” she smiled post-match. “Next time, I’ll take it.”
Back in Group F, Sedlacek advances with quiet confidence, his victory over Gurney a statement that the new generation is ready to challenge the old guard. For Gurney, the Grand Slam dream ends in disappointment—but his fiery exit ensures he won’t be forgotten. In a sport where precision meets passion, moments like these remind everyone that darts is as much about heart as it is about the board.
As the tournament rolls into midweek, with £650,000 in prize money and the Eric Bristow Trophy on the line, one thing is certain: the oche remains a stage where legends are made, broken, and occasionally, set ablaze.
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