"I don't think it's right... 45 is not really a senior" - Paul Hogan & Tony O'Shea blast controversial change to World Seniors Tour

On Wednesday night at the iconic Circus Tavern, the 2025 World Seniors Darts Championship got underway. Two of the winners on the opening night were Paul Hogan and Tony O'Shea. Afterwards though, neither were totally happy, using their post-match interviews to blast the controversial recent change that saw the Seniors Tour opened up to 45+.

Hogan, who stunned two-time World Darts Championship finalist Simon Whitlock on the Aussie's Seniors Tour debut on Wednesday night, lambasted the choice of the organisers to change the Seniors Tour from 50+ to 45+. "I don't think it's right," the Englishman proclaimed honestly in his post-match press conference afterwards. "With the age, a senior is 50 and over. But you know, I don't make the rules. They make the rules so we have to put up with it."

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As mentioned, Hogan wasn't the only player to vent their frustrations at the change after Wednesday night's action at the Circus Tavern. Fan favourite Tony O'Shea also commented on the potentially negative aspects of changing the age-bracket, after emerging victorious over Lisa Ashton. "The field is getting younger, that's for certain. So yeah, it's hard but they've changed the rules slightly to get the younger players in," explains the former Lakeside finalist. "45 for me, is not really a senior but maybe they'll bring in a super seniors for us 60-pluses, so it might be a level playing field!"

These comments from O'Shea and Hogan come after former BDO world champions Keith Deller and John Lowe voiced similar concerns after being left out of this year's lineup for the World Seniors Darts Championship. "I’m sorry but 45 and over is middle aged it’s not a senior," Deller posted on his official X (Twitter) account after failing to receive an invitation to the Circus Tavern, with the legendary Lowe replying in agreement. "The truth is, you/we have served our purpose, whether it be playing, or promoting, sadly it is a fact of life."

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