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Limerick darts star William O’Connor was eliminated from the 2022 William Hill Darts Championship, following a 4-2 defeat in round three to Michael Smith.
Michael Smith, the 9th seed, showed why he has been one of the sports leading lights in recent years, as he held his throw in the sixth set to book his last 16 spot. This came after O’Connor had survived a match dart in the previous set, to extend the contest.
The Englishman landed 5 checkouts over 100, to break the Cappamore native’s heart.
Despite watching O’Connor take the opening set, Smith kicked on and won the next three sets, showing why he is a genuine contender for the Sid Waddell Trophy. The Magpie, exits the competition with ยฃ25,000 in prize money, improving on his 2021 appearance and matching his career best at the showpiece event.
O’Connor arrived at this stage having defeated American Dan Lauby and Englishman Glen Durrant.
He provisionally moves in the mid-30s in the world rankings, having started the competition in 42nd place on the PDC Order of Merit. His exact ranking will be determined after the competition, which concludes in early January.
After winning the advantage of throw, O’Connor took the first leg, nailing a 90 checkout via the bullseye. Despite a superb 132 from Smith, O’Connor landed the first set 3-1, missing just one of four attempts on double.
The second set could have went O’Connor’s way, having broken the Smith throw, he hit missed two darts at double 20 to take it three legs to one. Instead, Smith broke back and powered on to claim it 3-2, to level the contest.
Smith landed a wonderful 128 to take the third set, after O’Connor failed on bullseye for a 126 and lost his throw in the previous leg.
The fourth set was extremely disappointing for O’Connor, who after some great scoring from Smith, didn’t get a dart at double and was whitewashed, to leave him with a mountain to climb against the 2019 World Darts Championship runner-up. This meant it was seven legs on the spin with O’Connor struggling to match the scoring of the St. Helen’s native.
But despite trailing 2-0 in the fifth set, O’Connor fought back impressively, as his 180 count climbed and he was able to force a sixth set.
The sixth set saw Smith take it 3-2, meaning he will face Gabriel Clemens or Jonny Clayton in the last 16.
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