It proved a mixed bag for the Irish World Cup finalists at the Alexandra Palace last night as Willie O’Connor secured his place in round two while pairs partner Steve Lennon was sent packing.
Lennon, from Carlow, got off to the best possible start, winning the opening set 3-0 only for 21-year-old Callan Rydz to win the next two sets without dropping a leg.
The fourth set was also won to nil by Lennon to take the tie to a fifth and final set, and after Rydz took the first two legs of the decider, Lennon produced back-to-back 15-dart legs to take the match all the way to a last-leg shoot-out.
Rydz was first to a finish but the Northumbrian wired the bullseye for a 161 finish, meaning Lennon had a chance to take out 87.
The Irishman missed two match darts at double 18, allowing Rydz a shot at 25 for the match which he took with a last dart double two.
Limerick thrower O’Connor has impressed on the Tour this season but his 3-0 victory over Finn Marko Kantele was littered with wayward darts and missed doubles.
Despite not being at his best though, O’Connor managed to land six 180s and never allowed Kantele a way into the contest.
The Limerick thrower finished the match in style, clinching the winning leg on the bull and he will now await world number three Gerwyn Price in the second round.
Keane Barry, from County Meath, went down in straight sets to Vincent van der Voort.
The 17-year-old gave a good account of himself but the experience of the Dutchman told at vital times in the contest and he closed out the match to set up a second round encounter with Dave Chisnall.
Fermanagh’s Brendan Dolan suffered a 3-0 whitewash last night against Gary Anderson.
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