Keane Barry and Mickey Mansell to make Grand Slam of Darts debuts

Irish pair Keane Barry and Mickey Mansell have qualified for the Grand Slam of Darts after coming through the card holder event in Leicester on Friday.

Meath's Barry, ranked 50th in the PDC order of merit, and Tyrone’s Mansell, ranked 56th, finished in the top eight from a 99-player field to book their places at the Grand Slam, which takes place in Wolverhampton between 9-17 of November.

Mansell beat former world champions Raymond van Barneveld and Gerwyn Price, a three-time Grand Slam winner, on his way to the last eight.

It is the 51-year-old's first time to qualify for the prestigious event.

Barry, also a first-time qualifier, saw off Madars Razma and Thibault Tricole in his final two games.

Antrim’s Josh Rock, who won Players Championship 30 on Thursday, was the only other Irish thrower already qualified.

Danny Noppert, James Wade, Cameron Menzies, Ryan Joyce, Ross Smith and Martin Lukeman also finished in the top eight to book their places in the tournament.

Reigning champion Luke Humphries will headline the 32-player field in Wolverhampton, which also includes 2022 champion Michael Smith and three-time winner Michael van Gerwen.

Rob Cross – a runner-up to Humphries last year – will also feature alongside teenage sensation Luke Littler, who will make his highly-anticipated Grand Slam debut next weekend.