Lennon ready to turn on the Heat at the Ally Pally

As the countdown to Christmas begins, so does the countdown to the World Darts Championship. While Darts has grown in popularity in recent years, the one event that everyone tends to follow and watch is the World Championships and it has become essential Christmas television viewing. 

Carlow’s Steve Lennon missed out on a spot at the end of year showcase at Ally Pally last year after a tough season, but has qualified for this year’s event, which begins on Thursday and he said he is in good form ahead of the tournament.

“Feeling good, playing well. It does just come down to the day now. I want to play and perform the best that I can. It was nice to qualify through the pro tour without having to go through the qualifiers. Feels good to have gotten there based on my performances over the year,” Lennon explained.

It was a tough season for Lennon on and off the oche last season.

“I was gutted I missed last year's worlds but my mind really wasn't in it for most of the season. I had been trying to get myself back to a good place mentally so darts really wasn't my main priority at the time,” he added.

As a result of Lennon’s poor season last year, he is currently ranked 74th in the world, 12 places off the top 64 where he needs to finish the season in order to keep his tour card and not have to go back to Q-School. However, he says he’s not worrying about the tour card situation and is just focusing on the Worlds.

“I had a good season so far this year but obviously as a result of having a poor season last year the tour card is at risk. I just want to go out and play the best I can and then worry about whatever the tour card situation may be after,” said Lennon.

Lennon will face the 16th seed, Australian superstar, The Heat, Damon Heta in the first round on Friday in a newly revamped format for the tournament. Lennon actually beat Heta recently when he qualified for the German Darts Championship. He’s hoping that psychological advantage from having beaten him already will help him pick up a second win over the Australian in a battle between two former World Cup champions.

“It's not the easiest draw but it's not the worst either. Hopefully he will still have that in the back of his mind that I beat him recently but its all on the day. I just have to play my best and take any chances that come my way.” 

It's been something of a frustrating season so far for Lennon, albeit having been unlucky at times but all roads have led to his sport's biggest event at the Ally Pally.

“I had some tough draws and quite a lot of 6-5 losses which were frustrating. Overall though my main target was to get back to the World Championships. I've been quite consistent especially in the last six or so months and I have the love for the game again which was missing for quite some time. I’m feeling good and just want to take this now into the worlds and perform the best I can and hopefully get on a good run,” he concluded.