On a night howling winds in Ireland, Taylor had no problem in generating enough force to storm past Priestley.

It was Taylor's second successive 6-1 win - after his quarter-final blitzing of Chris Mason - and extends his winning streak in televised matches which dates back to July last year.

Despite the margin of the eight-time world champion's victory and the fact that he hurled nine 180s on the way to booking a place in the final, Taylor claimed he had found the match tough.

Hard work

Taylor said: "It was hard work. We're playing in a prefabricated building and it's very, very windy outside.

"So you can imagine it's very hard to concentrate because everything was moving, even the roof.

"But I think it put Dennis off more than me. The game didn't feel like 6-1, I thought it was a lot closer than that."

Taylor will meet Ireland's latest adopted son Shayne Burgess in the final after he whitewashed Peter Manley 6-0 in Saturday's second semi-final.

Brilliant

Burgess, the tournament's third seed, continued where he left off Friday night, in his brilliant performance against Alan Warriner, by storming into the lead in a closely-fought first set.

The 'British Bulldog' then went on the rampage, winning the next 10 legs without reply.

"I honestly thought it would be another nail-biter. I don't think Peter was in the right frame of mind. He wasn't with it all night long," he said.

Instinct

"Normally I go in front and take my foot off the pedal. But tonight I was playing with a bit more instinct."

Taylor and Burgess also met in last year's Grand Prix final and on that occasion Taylor ran out a 6-1 winner.

Burgess is hoping for a change of fortune this time, saying: "I made a right prat of myself last time but I'm playing a lot better this year than I was last year.

"I feel a lot more confident. Taylor is a hard player to beat. He's the best player there ever was, but this week he looks beatable.

"All I want to do is give it my best shot. I want to give him a right run for his money."