Mick McGowan is an accomplished Irish professional darts player who has made his mark in events for the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). His career includes a significant moment in 2015 when he claimed victory in the Tom Kirby Memorial Irish Matchplay final, defeating Tom Biggane 6-5. This win earned him a spot in the preliminary round of the 2016 PDC World Championship, marking an important step in his competitive journey.
In January 2016, McGowan entered Q School, where he showcased his talent by reaching the final on the fourth day, ultimately losing to Ross Smith in a close match that ended 5-4. Despite this setback, his performance on the final day allowed him to secure a tour card for the 2016 and 2017 seasons through the Q School Order of Merit. This opportunity opened the door for him to compete on a larger stage against some of the best players in the sport.
During the 2016 season, McGowan faced a challenging match at the World Grand Prix, where he lost 2-1 in sets to James Wilson after initially taking a 1-0 lead. However, he experienced success at the Players Championship Finals, defeating Chris Dobey 6-3 in the first round before falling to Alan Norris by the same scoreline in the next round.
In 2016, McGowan triumphed again in the Tom Kirby Memorial Irish Matchplay, this time defeating Radoslaw Szaganski 6-5, which secured his qualification for the 2017 PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace. As one of the highest-ranked international qualifiers, he received a bye into the first round, where he faced Jamie Lewis. Throughout his career, McGowan has also claimed victories in various tournaments, including the Ireland Open Autumn Classic and the INDO Gold Cup, further establishing his reputation in the darts community.