DUBLIN darts star Alan Richards says he will be looking to push on after his strong run to the final of Division A in the INDO Players Championships in Dundalk over the weekend.
Alan finished runner-up in Event 2 of the new INDO event to reigning WDF World Champion Shane McGuirk and has now put himself in contention to earn a spot at the World Masters in Hungary in November.
He currently sits fourth in the Division A table, with the top two earnings spots at the World Masters.
Alan told Darts In Ireland: "It's great to have the World Masters as a goal now and it will ensure I make it to the rest of the Players Championship events.
"It will be nervy trying to make that top two but I did well at this one so hopefully I can push on from here."
Alan's run to the final saw him survive a last leg decider with Jack Caulfield in his opening game, before he recorded impressive 6-1 and 6-2 wins over Conor McArdle and Dylan Dowling respectively to make it to the final.
He fell just short in that, losing out 6-3 to Shane McGuirk in a game where he had some chances.
Alan said: "I was lucky in that first game as I was 5-3 down and in trouble so I did well come through that 6-5.
"I was happy how I played after that, averaging 89 in the next two games to make it to the final.
"I played well in the final against Shane too, and had the chance at one stage to make it 3-3, but missed a double and got punished and he went on to win it from there.
"But it's a good sign for me to get to the final, given the standard here."
Alan said he now hopes to transfer that form onto the main INDO ranking events and try to get himself in the frame for future Republic of Ireland team.
He has yet to get off the mark in the new rankings seasons, having lost out on Saturday night in the last 64 to eventual winner of the Men's Ranking Event, Dale McCarthy.
Alan said: "The top 13 make it onto the Ireland team for the Island Nations and that might be a realistic goal if I could get a good run going.
"I haven't any ranking points so far so I will need to improve on that to have any chance."
He has fared better in the ADC Ireland rankings system, however, sitting fourth in that with the chance to qualify for the Modus Super Series through the upcoming regional finals.
He added: "It would be great to make it onto Modus and hopefully I can pull it off on the day.
"All of these tournaments are helping to improve my game and bring it on, as do the leagues in Dublin which are a strong standard.
"I've been lucky enough to win a few leagues this year and a Monday night doubles event with Dylan Slevin. It's always good to have him to call on."
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