“That’s one of the tougher ones”: O’Shea on World Seniors Darts Championship clash with ‘Soulger’ Leonard Gates

Tony O'Shea will return to the Circus Tavern again this week for the World Seniors Darts Championship.

Speaking in a joint interview with best friend, Darryl Fitton who also plays in the tournament, he has 'Soulger' Leonard Gates first who delighted the Ally Pally crowd with his dancing and trademark SPARTANS call.

"There's no such thing as an easy draw but that's one of the tougher ones. Fresh off the PDC World Championship, played well, came across well, good walk-on. He's the whole package so couldn't get a tougher one to be honest," he said to World Seniors Darts.

Last year, he faced 'The Artist' Kevin Painter who lost in the semi-finals. It was a game that went all the way to a tie-break and if he has to lose, 'Silverback' hopes it will be a close affair like that one.

"I never played there in a major championship, I played there in exhibitions, love the venue. But there was something special about it, first proper tournament there. The crowd was brilliant. Obviously great opponent and he played really well, it was a really good game and it went to a tiebreak."

Despite being a crowd favourite and a veteran of the sport, O'Shea admits he still gets nervous and said a lot of it stems from not playing for a few years on stage.

"No matter how much experience you've got you still feel nerves, I felt it and I'm sure most of the lads felt it. It's not like starting again but because it'd been three years without playing on TV."

There is a potential for a 'Silverback' v 'Dazzler' final and it would be a dream for O'Shea.

"That'd be a dream final, our semi-final in 09. People think we set that up. We had a moment there."

"When our bellies clashed," replied Fitton. "7.3 on the richter scale."