LIMERICK native William O’Connor says preparations are going well ahead of this month’s PDC World Darts Championships at the Alexandra Palace tonight.
READ MORE: ‘If I’m on my game, I can give anyone a run for their money’ – Willie O’Connor looks ahead to World Championships
O’Connor who hails from Cappamore, will be kickstarting his World Championship journey against Poland’s Krzysztof Kciuk in tonight’s evening session, starting at 7pm.
“Preparation is going well,” O’Connor said.
“I’m just coming off an injury at the moment which has made the last couple of months a bit messy but practise has been good and I’m just looking forward to the World Championships.
“I’ve moved house recently and I now have my own practise room which I never had so the practising this year has made a big difference with the right conditions. I pretty much have the same set-up at home as what we’re playing on in the PDC, “he said.
‘The Magpie’ says treating the World Championships as if it’s just another tournament is key but admits it can be challenging given how popular the month-long tournament is.
“It’s just about going in with a level head and trying to think of it as just another tournament. There’s a bit more to it obviously with all of the coverage and the press and things but other than that it’s just another tournament.”
O’Connor is under no illusions as to how tricky a task his first round opponent will be in Poland’s Krzysztof Kciuk and states he must focus on being the best he can be this evening.
“It is going to be a tough challenge, he’s been on the tour for a couple of years and he has been a professional for a while. He only lost his tour card not that long ago. I know Krzysztof is a really good player but I know I can throw better, if I play my best darts I think I’ll come out with the win, if I don’t, he can catch me so I just have to focus on being the best I can be on the day.”
Although O’Connor won’t be looking past Kciuk in that first round tie, the thought of facing darting royalty in Netherland’s Michael Van Gerwen in the second round looms.
The three-time World Championship winner will face Japan’s Mitsuhiko Tatsunami in his first round tie and with the seven-time Premier League champion expecting to breeze past Tatsunami, it will set up a tie with O’Connor in that second round clash.
“You can’t look past that first round but I do know should I progress, I’ll be playing Van Gerwen. I’ve played him before and beaten him before and again if I’m on my game I can give anyone a run for their money and that’s all I will focus on, being the best I can and whatever happens happens.”
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