Antrim darts prodigy 'The Shield' shows off his skills in Gibraltar

An Antrim lad has finished in the top 32 of the JDC Winmau Junior Open at the World Cup of Darts in Gibraltar - and there’s more to come!

Parkhall Integrated College student Lee ‘The Shield’ Shields is part of the Northern Ireland ‘A’ Team.

He is also NIDO Youth Masters Champion and INDO Killarney Irish Open Youth Consolation Champion 2025.

He started playing darts in the Antrim League in October 2024, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Ivan, brother Lewis and uncles Gary, William and Ian, playing for Massereene House.

He joined Carrickfergus Junior Darts Academy in January 2025, where he got the opportunity to play in the 2025 JDC Team Northern Ireland qualifiers, which was made up of ten events.

He is also plays regularly at Top of the Town, where punters fundraised to cover the costs of the weeklong trip and many local businesses and personalities have helped donate towards his travel expenses.

CK Barbers and Wallace’s also helped Lee get a new haircut, suited and booted for the occasion and Thornhill 651 recently hosted a coffee morning to support the trip.

Mark Allen and local butcher John Smyth Junior and local DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop have also shown their support.

Lee, who just turned 12 years old last week, is also a member of MASA Darts Club, is represented by Ruthless Darts and in recent days joined the Winmau Team 360 as only the second youth player from Northern Ireland to do so.

Speaking about his matches on Monday, Lee said: “I got down to the last 32.

“Let’s not forget we are playing against the best from all the countries.

“Our wee Team NI did well today. Thanks to all my coaches and teammates, they won’t forget us - well done team. Tomorrow is another day.”

And on his time in Gibraltar, he added: “Gibraltar has been absolutely wonderful so far! What a stunning little place, and the locals are unbelievably friendly.

“It's been so fantastic catching up with our captain, Thomas the Tank, and the rest of our amazing team here in Gibraltar.

“Thank you all for your incredible support! “