Jack McKenna (born 10 March 1942) is an Irish former professional darts player who played in British Darts Organisation (BDO) and Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) tournaments.[1]
| Jack McKenna | |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Born | 10 March 1942 Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland |
| Home town | Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland |
| Darts information | |
| Playing darts since | 1960 |
| Darts | 36g Unicorn |
| Laterality | Right-handed |
| Walk-on music | "The Irish Rover" by The Pogues & The Dubliners |
| Organisation (see split in darts) | |
| BDO | 1974–2000, 2006–2007 |
| PDC | 2002–2005 |
| WDF major events – best performances | |
| World Ch'ship | Last 16: 1990 |
| World Masters | Quarter Finals: 1974 |
| PDC premier events – best performances | |
| World Grand Prix | Last 16: 2002 |
| Other tournament wins | |
| Tournament | Years |
| O'Shea Cup Mens Singles | 1994, 2000, 2003, 2004 |
| Updated on 27 March 2019. | |
Darts career
editFrom Newbridge, County Kildare,[2] McKenna started playing darts at the age of 20.[3] He reached the quarter-finals of the inaugural Winmau World Masters in 1974. In 1989, he reached the final of the WDF World Cup, losing to Eric Bristow.
It was at the 1990 BDO World Darts Championship where McKenna become notorious within the game, as the man on the receiving end of the first nine-dart finish at the World Championship, achieved by Paul Lim of the United States.[4] McKenna had earlier beaten Peter Evison in the first round before losing to Lim in the second round.
He returned to television in the 2002 PDC World Grand Prix, beating Cliff Lazarenko in the first round before losing to Phil Taylor. He returned to the event in 2004, but lost in the first round to Dennis Priestley.
McKenna tried to qualify for the 2008 BDO World Championship but lost in the very first round.[5]
During his career, McKenna claimed to not practice at playing darts at all.[6] He is a non-drinker.[7]
World Championship results
editBDO
edit- 1990: Last 16 (lost to Paul Lim 2–3) (sets)
References
edit- ^ Jack McKenna Darts Database; Retrieved 27 December 2010.
- ^ Stanley, Colman (15 December 2022). "When An Irishman Was At The Heart Of One Of Darts' Most Iconic Moments". Balls.ie. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Clean-cut and slim-line is the modern man on the oche". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Ewan MacKenna: 'Darts' appeal lies in fun and integrity'". Irish Independent. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ 2008 World Championship Qualifiers Darts Database; Retrieved 27 December 2010
- ^ Gallagher, Mark (24 October 2002). "No practice makes perfect for veteran McKenna". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Kildare's Jack McKenna on the oche in 1990". www.kildarenow.com. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2024.