Willie O'Connor and Keane Barry both bowed out in the semi-finals of the Cazoo UK Open.
Meath teenager Barry (ranked 66) went 4-1 and 6-2 up against world number five Michael Smith but eventually went down 11-6.
Limerick native O'Connor also built a lead in his semi-final against eventual champion Danny Noppert, racing into a 5-1 advantage.
The Dutchman won the next three legs, however, and it was a tight affair after that.
O'Connor went 8-6 up before Noppert hit back with three consecutive legs and he eventually claimed an 11-9 victory.
Both Irishmen will collect £20,000 for their fine runs in the prestigious ranking event.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘! 💥
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 6, 2022
100.19 average
Four 180s
59% on the doubles
19-year-old Keane Barry absolutely demolishes the defending champion, defeating James Wade 10-4 to secure a spot in the semi-finals!
WHAT A WIN! #CazooUKOpen | Quarter-Finals pic.twitter.com/8Obp6QtQwg
Earlier on Sunday, in the quarter-finals, Barry was far too strong for reigning champion James Wade, cruising to a 10-4 victory, while O'Connor was made to sweat with a dramatic 10-9 win over Sebastian Bialecki.
It was a sensational display from Barry, registering a 100.19 average to easily dispatch the veteran Wade, finishing in style in the 14th leg with a 146 checkout.
Limerick man O'Connor, who accounted for world champion Peter Wright in the last-16, survived a match dart in the deciding leg before coolly wrapping up the match with a two-dart checkout of 89.
𝗢'𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥! 🇮🇪
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 6, 2022
Sheer darting drama as Willie O'Connor survives a match dart to clinch a spot in the last four, winning the deciding leg against 18-year-old Sebastian Bialecki!
📺 Up next 👉 Noppert v Heta#CazooUKOpen Quarter-Finals pic.twitter.com/8itlyp5OEy
In a dramatic final, Noppert edged out Smith 11-10.
The penultimate leg saw Smith miss a match dart at the bullseye for a 124 checkout, before Noppert pinned a crucial double four to hold throw and then fired in a 180 on his way to a 13-dart break to claim the title.
"I am over the moon, this is a special moment for me," said Noppert.
"I can't believe it; I have said before that I want to lift a trophy but I never thought it would be at such a big tournament like the UK Open."
