Robert Thornton has been defeated in the first round of the World Grand Prix after losing 2-1 to Stephen Bunting.
The defending champion had been hoping for another extended run in Dublin but despite moving a set ahead, he won just two more legs as Bunting secured an impressive win.
There was also disappointment for two-time winner James Wade as he lost out in a last-leg decider to Terry Jenkins, while there were also early exits for Jelle Klaasen and Ian White.
Klaasen lost out 2-1 to Adrian Lewis, while White squandered a one-set advantage over Kim Huybrechts before losing to the Belgian in a deciding set.
Raymond van Barneveld gained a much-needed 2-0 win over Mervyn King as he looks to boost his position in the top 16 of the PDC Order of Merit, and fellow Dutchman Benito van de Pas also progressed after easing past Gerwyn Price.
There was a comfortable 2-0 success for world champion Gary Anderson over Jamie Caven, while the other result of the night saw Kyle Anderson edge out Cristo Reyes in another last-leg decider.
Darren Plant
