DARYL GURNEY will compete in the Unibet Premier League Judgement Night in Liverpool following the birth of his son on Thursday morning.
The Northern Irish star's partner Aine has been expecting their first child and went into labour on Wednesday.
Gurney remained in Derry to be present for the birth, with son Daryl being born on Thursday morning.
The World Grand Prix champion was then able to get a flight to Liverpool ahead of Judgement Night, where he takes on Peter Wright.
Speaking to the PDC following his arrival in Liverpool, Gurney admitted: "It's amazing.
"We went in yesterday and stayed the night with no sleep, and today at two minutes to nine [Aine] gave birth.
"Everything was good and I got the phone call at 11.25 that I had 20 minutes to get to an airport [and] made it by one minute!"
Gurney added: "I didn't want Peter to get the walkover win because I thought I would doing Mensur an injustice.
"If I didn't turn up then it meant Mensur was going to go home and I didn't want to do that. I like to play a fair game so that's why I made sure I got here for Mensur and to play my own game."
It’s been a crazy 24 hours for Daryl Gurney, becoming a father for the first time... ??
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 5, 2018
“I wanted to play, it wouldn’t have been fair on Mensur”#Unibet180 pic.twitter.com/3ANcEKMNFt
All at the PDC send their congratulations to Daryl and their partner at this special time!
Daryl Gurney on Twitter
Happy to announce this morning my partner Aine and I welcomed into the world a healthy baby boy mother and Baby doing great so happy.
— Daryl Gurney (@Superchin180) April 5, 2018
I will be at Liverpool tonight with Aine’s and baby Daryl’s blessing thank you @OfficialPDC and @MattPorter_PDC @DaveAllen1981 for all the help. pic.twitter.com/PXJ0pZbklu
Daryl Gurney on Twitter
Daryl Gurney
— Daryl Gurney (@Superchin180) April 5, 2018
April 5th 2018
08.58
8lbs 2oz
Future of darts? ?? pic.twitter.com/SxG1yRKvne
The Unibet Premier League Judgment Night will be held on Thursday April 5 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. For tickets, visit www.echoarena.co.uk or call 0844 8000 400.
Unibet Premier League
Judgement Night - April 5
Echo Arena, Liverpool
Simon Whitlock v Gerwyn Price
Raymond van Barneveld v Michael Smith
Gary Anderson v Rob Cross
Mensur Suljovic v Michael van Gerwen
Daryl Gurney v Peter Wright
Tickets via www.echoarena.co.uk and 0844 8000 400