'Superchin' Daryl Gurney returns to old school with new kits for pupils

Students from Lisneal enjoyed a surprise visit from local darts sensation Daryl Gurney recently after ‘Superchin’ generously sponsored the schools’ sports teams.

The college took to social media to appeal for sponsorship for kits for the football and hockey teams, and were amazed when it was revealed that Gurney had heard of their appeal and had agreed to sponsor four team kits.

Lisneal principal Michael Allen led Gurney throughout the school on his visit and admitted that the students have been on a high ever since.

“It was a very nice,” he told the Derry News. “We put out a sponsorship appeal and his sister picked up on it on Twitter. He then came in and said he would pay for the whole lot. He’s not what I expected at all. He’s actually really shy. He didn’t want to do a speech or anything on front of the wains. He just came straight through the door and starting signing autographs. He is shy but he’s a really nice fella.”

It was far from just a flying visit for Gurney, who took time to meet as many students as possible, and even handed down a few tips to the next generation of darts hopefuls.

“The spotlight doesn’t show him in his true colours I think,” Allen continued. “We thought he would be in for a half hour but he spent three hours with us. He met me in he office, and a few kids who were a bit star struck came into the office to meet him. He then went into the main hall where our choir sang ‘Sweet Caroline’ for him.

"He did the it presentation then he walked down through the school meeting the kids and signing autographs. He then went into our wee darts room and he stood for two hours playing darts with the kids. It went down really well I have to say.”