PDC World Darts Championship 2021: Daryl Gurney 'disheartened' by playing behind closed doors
- Published
Gurney reached the quarter-finals of the recent World Series of Darts Finals
William Hill PDC World Darts Championship 2021 |
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Venue: Alexandra Palace, London Date: 15 December 2020 - 3 January 2021 |
Coverage: Daily reports on the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text coverage of the final on 3 January |
Northern Ireland's Daryl Gurney says it is "disheartening" that crowds will now be unable to attend the PDC World Championship after the opening day of the event on Tuesday.
London entering tier three Covid-19 restrictions on Wednesday means plans for 1,000 people to attend each session at Alexandra Palace have had to be be scrapped at the last minute.
"For me it doesn't feel the same for me when I'm not playing in front of a crowd. The atmosphere generated gives me extra motivation," said Gurney.
"Having a crowd on Tuesday is a good way to kick off the world championship but after the way the rest of the year has gone I was looking forward to playing in front of a crowd again.
"Personally I find Ally Pally to be the best venue for playing darts as although there are usually 3,500 people in it feels more like 10,000 with the echo off the roof."
Gurney will head the Northern Ireland challenge at the tournament and is seeded 11 based on his world ranking.
His best performance at the PDC Worlds was a quarter-final appearance in 2017.
The 34-year-old begins his bid for the biggest prize in the sport on Thursday, when he will face either Limerick's William O'Connor or Dutch debutant Niels Zonneveld in the second round.
The Londonderry player lost 5-1 to three-time champion Michael van Gerwen on that occasion and has failed to get beyond the third round in the last three years.
"I don't care who I play in my first match - I will just be focusing on my own game and I have put in lots of practice," added Gurney.
A two-time major winner - having won the World Grand Prix in 2017 and the Players Championship Finals in 2018 - Gurney has struggled to find his best from this season, falling at the first round stage of five tournaments.
His best results of an indifferent season to date have been a semi-final appearance at the UK Open and progressing to the last eight stage of the World Series of Darts Finals.
"I feel my game is improving and you like to play your best on the biggest stage," said Gurney.
"It's so hard to win the World Championships - it lasts for more than two weeks and tests how good you really are. The rest of the tournaments just last a few days or a week.
"No matter how high you are up the rankings it's difficult getting past those first few rounds as they are short matches and anything can happen."
Mansell first NI player on oche
First of the Northern Ireland players in action will be Dungannon's Mickey Mansell, who takes on New Zealand's Haupai Puha on Friday afternoon.
Mansell, 47, is ranked 59 in the world and has yet to make it beyond the first round in two previous attempts in 2019 and 2020.
Ricky Evans awaits the victor in the second round.
Enniskillen's Dolan was a quarter-finalist in 2019
Enniskillen native Brendan Dolan will compete in the event for the 13th time when he takes on the winner of the first round tie between Mike De Decker and Edward Foulkes on Tuesday 22 December.
The 47-year-old Fermanagh man was a quarter-finalist at Ally Pally in 2019 and is currently ranked 30 in the world.
Republic of Ireland trio in action
Drogheda teenager Keane Barry is the first Republic of Ireland player in action when he plays former BDO World Championship finalist Jeff Smith on Tuesday in a first round tie.
The Duleek 18-year-old will be taking part in the event for the second time, with the winner coming up against Chris Dobey in round two on Wednesday.
European Championship quarter-finalist O'Connor takes to the stage on Wednesday, with a third Republic of Ireland thrower, Ciaran Teehan, drawn against Wayne Jones for Friday's round one encounter.
Cork 21-year-old Teehan lost in the second round 12 months ago - if he reaches the same stage this time Joe Cullen will be his opponent on 22 December.
Among the favourites to be crowned champion will be van Gerwen, defending champion Peter Wright and the in-form Gerwyn Price.