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07 Sept 2025
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07 Sept 2025
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Limerick's William O'Connor has reached the second round at the Paddy Power World Darts Championships
LIMERICK arrowsmith William O'Connor began his glory bid at the 2023/2024 Paddy Power World Darts Championship with a hugely impressive first round victory on Wednesday afternoon.
Cappamore man O'Connor scored a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Bhav Patel, of India, in his opening round tie at the Alexandra Palace in London.
Afterwards O'Connoe said he was 'very happy' to record a win in his first round outing at the prestigious event.
Afterwards O'Connor said: "It was all right. I thought my doubles were good. I thought I took advantage of positions I got myself in. But at the same time, I had too many visits without a treble that I need to sort out.
"I am very happy to get the win. It's on to the next game now."
O'Connor's reward is a second round meeting with England's Chris Dobey, the number 17th seed, at the Ally Pally.
That game is due to be the final match on stage in the evening session this Friday, December 22. That session begins at 7pm. The third round of the championship begins on Wednesday, December 27.
️ "I just played my own game."
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 20, 2023
Hear from Willie O'Connor after his dominant 3-0 victory over Bhav Patel here at Ally Pally... pic.twitter.com/D7VVuv8rwp
Darts flagship tournament continues at the ‘Ally Pally’ until January 3.
Some 96 players are competing to win the Sid Waddell Trophy and the stg£500,000 top prize. Total prize fund for this year's tournament, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, is stg£2.5 million.
Thirty seven-year-old William O'Connor, nicknamed ‘The Magpie’, is currently ranked number 38 in the world.
William O'Connor bowed out of the 2022/2023 World Darts Championship at the second round stage at the 'Ally Pally' when losing out to Gabriel Clemens, of Germany.
O'CONNOR THROUGH!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 20, 2023
William O'Connor beats Bhav Patel 3-0 to reach the Second Round and set up a clash with Chris Dobey...
https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts | R1 pic.twitter.com/fFCFI8dhJG
O'Connor had produced a classy display to defeat teenage trailblazer Beau Greaves 3-0 in his opening round game.
2019 World Cup finalist O'Connor reached the third round of the World Darts Championship the previous year before losing out 4-2 to current world champion, Michael 'Bully Boy' Smith, of England.
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