Munster darts derby: Limerick's O’Connor and Tipperary's Slevin set for Ally Pally clash

Currently ranked 48th in the world, Cappamore’s O’Connor has had company on tour in the form of 67th-ranked Slevin, who hails from Borrisokane. It is a Munster Championship clash like we’ve never seen before.

In contact moments after Slevin secured one of the last of the 96 available spots at the now truly international event, both players have seemingly parked friendship since the draw, which took place on the same November evening. O’Connor had already been assured of his place thanks to his decent Pro Tour ranking.

The duo will share the stage with three-time champion Michael Van Gerwen, who is also part of Friday’s bill at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace.

Speaking with the Irish Examiner in their preparation for the global stage, both appeared excited and intrigued by the prospect of their clash.

“It is a pity to have to play him. I was cheering him on in the qualifiers and then I saw the draw. I thought ‘Oh God!’, so that is what I get for shouting him on!" explained O’Connor.

The final four of the 96 spots at the tournament were won in a qualifier for non-qualified PDC Tour Card holders, Rhys Griffin, Jeffrey de Zwaan, Matt Campbell and Slevin progressing.

“It was massive for his tour card too. The pressure he was under going in there, and to do what he done was huge. I don’t think I would have been able to do that, so fair play to the young fella.” 

It will be an eighth consecutive appearance at this stage for the 38-year-old O'Connor, who, after failing in round one in his debut year, has found the winning formula in the last six tournament openers.

Recent opening rounds have seen O’Connor paired with exciting American Danny Lauby, rising female player Beau Greeves, and then 12 months ago, Indian Bhav Patel. But the opener is not something he takes for granted.

“The players are getting so good. The international players are so good now, so there are no easy draws now. You might look at a name and say, ‘Who is he?’, but just because you don’t know him it doesn’t mean that he isn’t going to smash you 3-0. 

“To get a Tour Card is so hard but to keep it is even harder. The way it is run now, it is so hard to get into the big tournaments, especially with the (expanded) European Tour. You have the top 16 in the world guaranteed entry and then the top 16 in the Order of Merit. So there are a handful of spots left for the rest, it has crippled so many careers.” 

While he has yet to contest a PDC major final, O’Connor can list a World Cup of Darts pairs final appearance among his achievements, while a UK Open semi-final appearance in 2022 can’t be scoffed at. He has played under the PDC banner since 2010 and despite slipping back in the rankings this year,  appears determined to make a mark at the showpiece event.

It is expected that another Limerick connection could be the song Zombie. The Cranberries hit greeted O’Connor onto the stage at the 3 Arena in 2019 for his Premier League appearance and may make a re-emergence on Friday. That walk-on is considered among the most memorable the sport has ever seen.

So, what about Slevin? His debut at the competition 12 months ago, didn’t go to plan. German Florian Hempel prevailed, 3-1 on sets, after the Tipperary man had won the first.

He describes O’Connor as a brilliant ‘mentor’ having only joined the pro-circuit in recent years but now he is looking to send the older player on an immediate flight back to Ireland.

Now based in Dublin, 22-year-old Slevin first took an interest in the sport in Patsy’s Pub, in his local village. While his mother Trish worked the bar for her uncle, Dylan didn’t waste his time, winning unspectacular but welcomed ‘prizes’ from the adults who took him on.

“There would be a couple of auld lads in there, they would buy me a packet of Taytos or Coca Cola when I hit a 180 or if I beat them.” 

Still, despite this, “I never took darts seriously”, admits Slevin.

“It wasn’t until I played on the Offaly youths team, and in my first year I didn’t lose a game. I think my father looked at it as if to say ‘We might have something here'. 

"I never knew this was even on in Ireland. Up until then I knew there was darts on TV at Christmas. I didn’t know about the other tournaments. I just thought they all played in pubs in England and if they were good enough they would play on the big stage at the end of the year!" 

The left-hander hopes he can park his friendship with O'Connor this week.

“We know each other, we know each other's tricks. I know how well he can play and he knows how well I can play. At the end of the day we are there to do a job. Off the oche we are the best of friends, but it’s like hurling, once you pass those white lines, you don’t know the person next to you.

“We’ll shake hands, fist pump, maybe a bit of eye contact, who knows? We might be in our own little bubbles. No matter who gets through, we’ll still be the best of friends,” smiles Slevin.

Experience of 12 months ago will perhaps aid his chances.

“Last year it was a bonus on my first year to get to the Worlds. I feel calmer this year. Family and friends are asking if I am excited, I would have said I was nervous last year but now I am just going to play darts. I feel more confident in myself because of that experience last year.

“Willie has more experience than any of the Irish on the tour, but hopefully that experience I got last year will help me get over the line. Hopefully I play at my best, and it may be bad to say it but hopefully Willie doesn’t – hopefully there is nerves with him. 

"I am young and ambitions in what I want to achieve.” 

Their two previous professional meetings, both over the shorter best-of-11 legs, came in the Players Championships during 2023. Tipperary shaded the first, 6-4, in what was his second game as a PDC Tour Card holder. The roles were reversed later that spring, with a 6-1 triumph for O’Connor.

Still, that will matter little when the pair are watched by millions this Friday evening.