Tom Kirby (darts player)
| Tom Kirby | |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Born |
1946/1947 Republic of Ireland |
| Died | 1 December 2008 (aged 61) |
| Home town |
Kildare Republic of Ireland |
| Organisation (see split in darts) | |
| PDC | 1993–2006 |
| PDC premier events - best performances | |
| World Ch'ship | Quarter Final 1994 |
| World Matchplay | Last 16 1995 |
| World Grand Prix | Last 32 2005 |
| UK Open | Last 64 2004, 2006 |
Tom Kirby (1946/1947 – 1 December 2008) was an Irish darts player.
Kirby was the first Irishman man to join the Professional Darts Corporation (then known as the World Darts Council) and entered its inaugural World Championship in 1994, where he won Group 7 by leg difference to reach the quarter finals, losing to eventual winner Dennis Priestley. Kirby also reached the quarter finals of the 1994 UK Matchplay, beating Cliff Lazarenko in the first round before losing to Jamie Harvey.
Kirby made two more appearance at the World Championship in 1995 and 1996 but lost out in the group stages. He also played in three World Matchplays, losing in the first round in 1994 and 1996 to Phil Taylor. Kirby won his first round match in 1995 against Sean Downs before losing in the second round to John Lowe.
Kirby then quietly disappeared from the sport but resurfaced in 2002, entering UK Open regionals. He then played in the 2003 UK Open, but lost in the Preliminary Round. In 2004, Kirby reached the quarter finals of the Irish Masters where he lost to Peter Manley. Kirby then returned to the UK Open the same year, reaching the third round where he lost to Colin Lloyd. He also reached the quarter finals of the Northern Ireland Open, a WDF ranked event.
Kirby qualified for the 2005 World Grand Prix in Dublin. Despite a brave effort, he lost in the first round to then-reigning champion Lloyd. Good performances in the regional finals of the 2006 UK Open earned him a spot in the third round proper but lost to Andy Callaby.
Kirby died in Blanchardstown from pancreatic cancer aged 61. A PDC tournament, the Irish Matchplay, was renamed in his honour.[1]