CONNIE FINNAN won the 2011 Tom Kirby Memorial Irish Matchplay final against Shane O'Connor with a 6-4 triumph on Sunday night.
Limerick's Finnan, 49, will now proceed to compete on darts' biggest stage in the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship in December, where he will line up in the preliminary round of that event.
Having won through the early stages of the Irish Matchplay event six weeks ago, including a win over Cappamore's William O'Connor in the semis, he joined Tallaght's Shane O'Connor on stage at the New Citywest Convention Centre for the final.
Finnan settled any early nerves with a 180 in the opening leg, which he took in 15 darts to break throw on double 16 before a double eight finish saw him move two legs up.
O'Connor posted a 106 checkout to win the third, and shared the next two legs as Finnan moved into a 3-2 lead.
Finnan added a third maximum of the game and a 74 finish to win the sixth, with O'Connor producing a fine 12-darter to level with a 94 checkout.
He also hit a 180 in the next, but missed the bull for an 81 checkout to level as Finnan took out double 16 to move a leg away from glory.
O'Connor finished 85 to keep the match alive, but missed double ten for a 140 checkout in the tenth leg, and double 16 from Finnan ensured victory.