'If I'm on my game I can give anyone a run for their money' - Willie O'Connor looks ahead to World Championships

LIMERICK native William O'Connor says preparations are going well ahead of this month's PDC World Darts Championships at the Alexandra Palace.

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O'Connor who hails from Cappamore, will be kickstarting his World Championship journey against Poland's Krzysztof Kciuk on Friday, December 19. 

"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. 

It has been a positive 2025 for the 39-year-old, who has been in the game of darts for well over a decade. 

"I've had a decent enough year, I finished well on the tour which does good things going into next year because it means I'm a seed in a lot of the events going forward. I have a good chance going forward of qualifying for big events and I suppose that gives you more incentive to practise more and push yourself that bit harder," 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 on December 19.

"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."

O'Connor is optimistic for the future of darts in Ireland, stating that the sport is growing at a rapid pace, not just in at home but worldwide. 

"Its growing all the time, especially among the youth. God almighty the amount of young fellas throwing darts is unbelievable, there are academies all over Ireland now and there's hundreds of young people involved. 

"I never threw darts when I was growing up but the amount of young people throwing darts in Ireland now is unreal and it can only get better.

"Down the line, only good things can come from it. There's sure to be super players coming from Ireland. I'll be retired at that stage and I'll be watching them myself but it will definitely great to see and watch."

O'Connor who represented Ireland at last year's World Cup alongside Meath's Keane Barry, says he still very much loves what he's doing.

"I enjoy it all, I love it and I enjoy what I'm doing. That's the only reason I'm doing it, because I enjoy it so much. I look forward to it every time I go out. Not everyone can say they love their job but I love my job.

"It means the world to me and the support you get from around the world as well. It's not just in Limerick or in Ireland but it's everywhere you go.

"It just goes to show how big the sport has become and it shows how big the song is and how popular The Cranberries were when everyone is singing it at tournaments. (O'Connor's walk-on song being Zombie by The Cranberries).

"It's great to get the support I'm getting and it does mean a lot to me when I'm standing up there. It humbles you a lot when the whole place is singing and chanting your song, it's brilliant and I look forward to it again come the World Championships."