Gerwyn Price And Jonny Clayton Reflect On Heart-Breaking Defeat As Northern Ireland Make World Cup Of Darts History

Gerwyn Price And Jonny Clayton Reflect On heart-Breaking Defeat As Northern Ireland Make World Cup Of Darts History

It was one of the greatest finals ever seen in any darts tournament, but in the end it was not to be for Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton of Wales.

Gerwyn Price admitted Wales came up just short when it mattered most, as Northern Ireland stunned the two-time champions in a nail-biting 10-9 victory to claim the 2025 BetVictor World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt.

In one of the most gripping finals the tournament has ever seen, Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney produced an electric 11-dart leg in the decider to snatch the title from under the noses of Price and teammate Jonny Clayton—marking a first-ever World Cup triumph for Northern Ireland.

“We started off really slowly, trying to get in the game was really difficult,” Price said in the aftermath of the loss.

“Testament to the Northern Irish team, Josh's scoring was unbelievable and we couldn't keep up with them.

“At 9-9 we gave ourselves a chance but they were a bit better than us and they deserve it.”

The Welsh duo, champions in 2020 and 2023, had looked on course for a third title after carving out a 7-5 lead, but Rock and Gurney mounted a spirited comeback to turn the final on its head.

After taking four of the next five legs, the Northern Irish pair were left needing just one more leg at 9-8—but missed four match darts, allowing Wales to force a last-leg shootout.

That final leg, however, belonged entirely to Rock and Gurney, whose composure and clinical finishing sealed a famous win.

“We've made history for Northern Ireland and we're so proud as a team,” said Rock, visibly emotional after the match.

“As a team we were fantastic and we fought hard all the way through.”

Gurney, who landed the match-winning double, paid tribute to the defeated finalists and hailed his teammate’s firepower:

“I would like to congratulate Wales, it shows the class of the Welsh team to stay on stage and congratulate us.

“Jonny and Gezzy are legends of the game, I think they'll go on and win big titles this year.

“Josh's power scoring was amazing and I was there to clean up the finishing; I was never going to miss the double eight to win the title.

“I'm so proud of Josh and myself, I put higher regard on this title than any individual events I've won.”

Clayton echoed those sentiments, praising both the opposition and his partner:

“We gave it our all but congratulations to those two [Rock and Gurney].

“To be fair to Josh and Daryl they flew out the blocks in the last leg.

“Gezzy is a class act, I'm a proud man to have a teammate like him.”

Earlier in the day, Wales had booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 8-5 win over the Netherlands, having already dispatched Hong Kong 8-4 in the quarter-finals.

Northern Ireland, meanwhile, overcame the Republic of Ireland 8-5 before routing hosts Germany 8-1 in the semis.

By clinching the title, Rock and Gurney become just the sixth nation to lift the World Cup, ending a run of dominance by the traditional darts powerhouses.

But for Price, the defeat—despite the narrow margin—was a painful reminder of how fine the line is at the elite level.

“Testament to the Northern Irish team,” he repeated.

“They were a bit better than us, and they deserve it.”

Quarter-final Results