INTERVIEW - Barry looking for progression on PDC World Darts Championship return

Keane Barry has been highly touted as a prospect to watch going forward with the former JDC and BDO World Youth Champion set for a second year at the Alexandra Palace.

Barry caught up with DartsNews ahead of his return to the PDC World Darts Championship with a tie against Jeff Smith then Chris Dobey potentially on the horizon.

For the player known as ‘Dynamite’, he is hoping for progression while also knowing that he will be in for a tough game in both rounds.

“I really enjoy playing at Ally Pally. I made my debut there last year and I had a tough game against Vincent (van der Voort) first game so I’m hoping to have a bit of a better run this year,” said Barry to DartsNews.

“They’re really good players, they’re two quick players as well so that suits me. I’m really looking forward to it. I know Jeff’s going to be a really good game and if I overcome Jeff, Chris (Dobey) is going to be a really good game as well.”

Preparation ahead of World Championship

For Barry, he has had opportunities in the Winter Series which he admitted served him well after playing online like many during lockdown and also gives good preparation ahead of the World Championship.

“It’s been good, I played in the Winter Series that’s where I started my preparation. It was good to have a shot at that and experience really good match practice. I haven’t really been getting much practice barring online so it was nice to play in person and top quality games. I’m putting in serious hours at home so I’m feeling really ready.”

Development and Challenge Tour success

Barry produced a successful two weeks on the Challenge and Development Tour winning multiple titles in the latter as well as his two-year Tour Card.

For Barry, the confidence of his successful run on the Development Tour brought him forward to the Challenge Tour and he admitted it was ‘sky high’.

“I played really well over the days but my preparation didn’t go as well as I wanted it to be but when I got there, I felt really good. It was massive for me to get over that line, I was always in the mix but I could never get over that finishing line of actually getting the title, so I was delighted.”

“I won the first Challenge Tour event of the weekend so my confidence was just sky high. Just the last day, I was just a bit tired with fatigue. It was just a really good two weeks of darts.”

Winter Series and claiming Tour Card

His success on the Challenge Tour gave Barry a chance to make his ProTour debut where he made £4,000 in the Winter Series and he was glad for the opportunity and can’t wait to become a Tour Card holder now.

“It just gives me a taste for next year and to see what it’s all about in a way a free shot. For my first time, I was really happy with the way it went," he continued.

“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do becoming a professional darts player. To be able to do that as my job, I’m really excited. I’m going to put in a lot of effort and give it my all.”