O'Brien ecstatic after sealing PDC Women's World Matchplay qualification: "I’m still on cloud nine"

Chloe O'Brien is one of eight players who will take to the stage at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool later this month during the inaugural Women's World Matchplay.

The event will be held on Sunday 24 July and will be fully televised. The field is made up of the current eight best players on the PDC Women's Series Order of Merit, with the likes of Lisa Ashton and Fallon Sherrock also taking part.

O'Brien secured her qualification last weekend by taking over eighth place in the rankings from Jane Densley. Qualifying for the Women's World Matchplay is a huge milestone for O'Brien.

“I’m still on cloud nine. This is the highlight of my career so far,” said the 19-year-old, who also reached the semi-finals at Event One in March.

“I’m from a small town in Scotland, so to be among the elite eight in a PDC event, it’s just surreal.

“Darts has been my life since I went into high school. It has given me a meaning. I’ve worked so hard for this, I'm over the moon."

“I love the thrill I get from playing darts. I love the thrill of winning and competing,” added O’Brien.

“I’m 19 years old, and I’m only the Scottish woman at the first ever Women’s World Matchplay. It’s an amazing feeling.

“I was thinking I shouldn’t be on that list, because there’s lots of bigger names that missed out, but I’ve earned my place. I’ve fought hard, with blood, sweat and tears - literally!

O'Brien is one of two teenagers in the field, with 18-year-old Irish ace Katie Sheldon also taking part. Ashton, Sherrock, Lorraine Winstanley, Aileen de Graaf, Laura Turner and Rhian Griffiths are the other participants. The Scot thinks the tournament can be of great importance.

“I think this is definitely a big stepping stone for ladies’ darts, and a stepping stone that we need for our sport,” she said.

“Hopefully, the youth players coming through can see the experience that Katie [Sheldon] and I are gaining, and it gives them the confidence to give it a shot.

“We want to inspire more young girls to try and progress, to get the same love for the game that we have.”