Darts: Taylor - Rooney looks set for stardom

Phil Taylor believes Keith Rooney of Balbriggan can follow in the footsteps of Jim McQuillan and become Ireland's new darting hero.

McQuillan raised the profile of the game on the Emerald Isle when he became the first Divisional Champion of Ireland in the early 1970s.

But Taylor believes Rooney has the ability and the personality to make just as big an big impact on the sport.

The 41-year-old nine-time world champion, who suffered a shock first-round defeat against qualifier Kevin Painter at the Paddy Power World Grand Prix Championship in Dublin, said: "I've been all over the world and I have been asked a thousand times to sponsor different people.

"I met Keith for the first time last Friday and I was very, very impressed with him. Not just his dart play but as a person as well - I think he will do me proud."

Rooney, a 20-year-old rookie who represents Co Dublin, also lost in the opening round against Dave Askew.

But Taylor is willing to take him under his wing and back him in future ranking tournaments.

He added: "I'm going to back him and take him to a few tournaments. I will sponsor him for a couple of years and I think he will do well.

"There are two ranking tournaments coming up. I'm going to fly him to Manchester and meet him at the airport and drive him to Great Yarmouth.

"The next one is in Holland. I'm trying to get him into the tournament because the entries are closed.

"We will have to see what we can do but after that it will be next year."

The semi-finals of the Grand Prix will see John Lowe take on Roland Scholten and Dennis Smith face Alan Warriner.