‘It's terrible' – Darts star claims rival will FAINT on sweltering World Cup stage and demands venue change

The darts star is set for a huge clash on Sunday
TOO HOT TO HANDLE 'It's terrible' – Darts star claims rival will FAINT on sweltering World Cup stage and demands venue change
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
WILLIAM O'CONNOR has blasted hot conditions at the World Cup of Darts.
And the 38-year-old also reckons a player will FAINT if nothing is done about it.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
1
William O'Connor has been in World Cup action in Germany
Credit: Getty
The Limerick-born thrower has been in action for Ireland at the event in Frankfurt.
Alongside team-mate Keane Barry, O'Connor helped his nation beat Switzerland 8-3 to reach the last eight at the Eissporthalle Frankfurt.
Despite the victory, O'Connor was unhappy with the conditions.
He fumed: "It's so hot up on that stage, it's hard to play our best darts. It's really, really hard. It's terrible.
READ MORE IN SPORT
DOUBLE DOWN World Darts semi-finalist retires from PDC Tour at the age of just 30
"They are going to have to change the venue or maybe put on a bit of air conditioning or something, but someone's going to drop up on that stage.
"I'm not exactly the biggest man in the world, but it's hot up on that stage and it's not good.
"The quicker we get off that stage, the better. That's it."
Barry, 22, agreed with his team-mate's sentiment.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
The Duleek dartist said: "On stage, it's seriously hot. Darts slipped out of my hand, I thought the dart was just so sticky.
"It's the same for everyone too. You can't be really complaining about it. It's the same for both players. It's another factor to try and get around.'
'I think his tooth just fell out' - Sky Sports commentator convinced World Cup of Darts star suffered bizarre injury
Ireland are set to be back in action tomorrow in Frankfurt.
O'Connor and Barry will take on Northern Ireland's Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

an hour ago

• Daily Mirror

Partying with Bond, 'most-violent' match & David Campese - The Lions Down Under

The British & Irish Lions are set to add to a fabled history of tours to Australia this summer as they return Down Under for the first time since 2013 Australia might be known as the 'lucky country' but don't tell that to David Campese. The Wallabies great might have won the 1991 World Cup - where he was named Player of the Tournament - earned more than 100 caps in a 14-year international career and have gone down as one of the finest athletes (let alone rugby players) that Australia has ever produced. Yet to Lions fans, he'll always be remembered for a mistake, one that arguably handed the tourists victory in a rollercoaster 1989 series. ‌ It set the platform for what has become a rivalry pock-marked with soaring highs, plundering lows and a fair bit of bad blood in between. ‌ With 20 minutes left in the decisive third Test in Sydney, Australia led 12-9 when a Rob Andrew drop goal slipped wide of the posts, where a waiting Campese collected in his own in-goal area. The winger went back to run the ball out from behind his own try-line but then flicked a pass to his supporting full-back Greg Martin. However, as if in slow motion, the pass went behind Martin, hit the floor and the covering Ieuan Evans gleefully dived on the loose ball for the try and a lead the Lions would turn into a series-winning 19-18 victory. 'It was a one-in-100 moment,' Campese said when reflecting on the aftermath. 'I walked in the dressing room, none of the Australian players or [coach] Bob Dwyer came near me for about 15 minutes and I was pretty down.' To rub salt into Campese's wound, he was pulled over by the police while driving home and handed a speeding ticket. 'Talk about bad luck,' he said. And later, in a bizarre turn of events, as he walked through the front door, just desperate to get to bed, he had phone call from the St Helen's rugby league team offering him a huge sum of money to sign. 'I don't know what game they were watching,' he added. 'It was a strange night, that's for sure. The ironic thing is, I did the exact same pass the next week and it worked. It was bad luck.' ‌ Campese's is not the only iconic Lions moment to have come Down Under. Think Brian O'Driscoll's breath-taking try, Kurtley Beale's jaw-dropping slip, and George North's hilarious fireman's lift on Israel Folau. Historically, the Lions' most storied rivalries may be with South Africa and New Zealand, both scenes of legendary 1970s successes. But they have played those two nations 91 times combined and have won just 25. Take out the 71' tour to New Zealand, where the Lions recorded their only series win against the All Blacks, and the '74 trip to South Africa, where they emerged unbeaten and with a famous 3-0 win against the Springboks, and their overall record against those two southern hemisphere giants is – to be blunt – bleak. ‌ Against Australia, it's anything but. Of the 23 Test matches, from 1899 to 2013, the Lions have won 17. Indeed, of the nine Test series staged between them, they have won seven. Though the Lions have a long history of touring Australia - the very ever Lions tour included two months there in 1888, sandwiching two stints in New Zealand – their rivalry simmered rather than boiled for more than a century. ‌ And then came 1989, and the rivalry burst into life – and not just because of Campese's infamous error. The background to the series was fascinating in itself. The '89 Lions were the first to visit Australia since 1971, the first to play more than two games in the country since 1966 and only the second ever Lions side to use Australia as their sole destination. Only the Reverend Matthew Mullineux's tourists 90 years earlier had toured Australia without venturing to New Zealand. With this in mind, it was hardly surprising that there were plenty of doubters ahead of the adventure. Australian rugby had struggled during the 1970s but the Grand Slam tourists of 1984 – the Wallabies beat all four home unions on an autumn tour - had shown that they could hang with the best. ‌ The Lions may have won all eight of their non-Test fixtures but they were convincingly beaten in the first international in Sydney, a 30-12 hammering. But that defeat only spurred the Lions on to create history of their own. The Battle of Ballymore, as it was aptly christened by the Australian press, is widely regarded as one of the most bruising encounters in the history of the game. Victory over the soon-to-be world champions kept the tourists' series hopes alive but it was perhaps the manner of the triumph that paved the way for a series win – with the first scrum setting the tone. Australia's scrum-half Nick Farr-Jones prepared to feed the ball in but opposite number Robert Jones sneakily stood on his rival's foot and Farr-Jones snapped. As the two smallest men on the field came to blows, the Lions forwards piled in and battle commenced. ‌ Similarly robust confrontations occurred at regular intervals throughout the match, with Dai Young later accused of stamping on the head of Australian lock Stephen Cutler in one of the most-controversial moments of the entire series. "I would describe it as the most violent game of rugby that has ever been played,' said flanker Mike Teague after a 19-12 win. ‌ Robert Jones said: 'It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to stand on his foot at the first scrum and push down. He came back at me, and within seconds there was a pretty lively punch up going on.' The Australian public were engaged – and enraged. And then, a week later, came Campese. Now, with the Lions in a fixed cycle of touring Australia, New Zealand and South Africa on rotation, they have only been back Down Under twice since that series. ‌ 2001 was very different to 1989 – and what went on tour certainly did not stay on tour. Graham Henry was named as the first overseas coach in Lions history, having earned an impressive reputation with Wales, but the decision was met with criticism from sections of the press, arguing that an Irishman or a Brit should always be handed the reigns ahead of a foreigner. Rumours of discontent in the camp were rife before newspaper columns and player diaries threatened to ruin the tour. Austin Healy never has shaken off the fall-out from his Observer column, where he labelled Wallabies lock Justin Harrison a 'plank' and an 'ape'. He later used those pages to predict a fine would be coming his way. He was right. It was £3,000. ‌ The Lions somehow still produced one of their best-ever performances in the opening Test - inspired by a coming-of-age try from Irish centre O'Driscoll, where he danced through a sea of Aussie defenders and sprinted clear to score - before the Wallabies fought back to triumph in the second and third matches. 2013 was hardly spice-free either. Kurtley Beale's missed penalty in the last minute cost the Wallabies a first Test win and, while they battled back to level the series, the Lions produced an all-time display to win 41-16 in the third – with James Bond actor Daniel Craig partying with them in the changing rooms. 'Australia is a special place,' said Jamie Roberts at the end of that tour. 'Anything can happen.'

Wales Online

2 hours ago

• Wales Online

Today's rugby news as Wales star stands out in Lions defeat and team-mate hits back at slurs

Today's rugby news as Wales star stands out in Lions defeat and team-mate hits back at slurs The latest rugby news stories in the wake of the Lions' defeat to Argentina British and Irish Lions' Tomos Williams (Image: PA Wire ) Here are the latest rugby headlines on Saturday, June 21. Welshman Williams lays down Lions marker Tomos Williams laid down an early marker for a place in the Lions Test team after an impressive appearance off the bench against Argentina on Friday night. ‌ Williams replaced Alex Mitchell in the second half, injecting urgency and moments of class into the Lions play as they initially fought their way back into the match before succumbing to a 28-24 defeat. There were the usual deft touches and a real tempo to everything the Welshman did before a beautiful flat pass on the line sent Tadhg Beirne crashing over for a try. ‌ Sky Sports pundits Conor Murray and Sam Warburton were both impressed, picking out Williams as one of the players who really impressed on the night. Mitchell's service had been generally good in the first-half but his box kicking was loose at times. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Warbuton said: "I think Tomos Williams was very good and made an impact. It's going to be so tight for that number nine jersey." Fans on social media backed Williams to force his way into the Test team despite arguably starting the tour behind Ireland's Jamison Gibson-Park and Mitchell in the pecking order. Article continues below One said: "Personally, the one player to shine was Tomos Williams. He scanned everything, raised the tempo, cool, calm and collected. Accuracy and timing of passing. Got to be in the test team." Another added: "Tomos Williams' distribution is catching the eye. He's already putting his hand up for selection." Fellow Welshman Jac Morgan had a solid outing in the seven jersey, with one turnover standing out before being replaced by Henry Pollock early in the second-half. ‌ Van der Merwe not bothered by slurs Duhan van der Merwe says slurs against his right to play for Scotland and the Lions no longer hurt him, insisting he has worked hard to become a two-time tourist The South African-born Scotland star is one of the current Lions players who have been targeted by some critics because they were born in different countries. He qualifies for Scotland on residency and has gone on to become the nation's leading try scorer since moving there from his homeland in 2017. He faced abuse on the last Lions tour to South Africa, with fans labelling him "Spring-Jock", while some have again questioned his selection for this year's trip. ‌ Speaking to the Guardian about representing Scotland, he said: "When I speak about it, I get really emotional because it's a country that has given me so much when I had nothing. "I had a failed medical [at Edinburgh] and at that time it would have been easy for them to say: 'Look, you've failed your medical – off you go.' But they looked after me. "I went over as a young boy and people don't understand how hard it is, leaving your family behind, leaving everything behind, going to a country where you don't know how things work. ‌ "People don't see the amount of hard work and sacrifice you put in because I wouldn't be sitting here without it." On the abuse he has received, he added: "I always knew they were going to get stuck into me," he said. "There were a lot of personal messages on social media towards me. ‌ "I just dust it off because I know how hard I've worked to get to where I am. You always have people on social media who are going to bring you down and slate you, but I've got to a point in my career where it doesn't faze me at all." Itoje wants 'tippy tappy' rugby to stop British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje has told his team-mates to stop playing "tippy-tappy" rugby and focus on becoming a powerhouse team opponents won't be able to live with. Itoje cut a frustrated figure after the Lions' 28-24 defeat to Argentina and was disappointed with a lack of aggression and directness at times. Andy Farrell's side coughed up possession on numerous occasions as they tried to force passes that simply weren't on. ‌ It all led Farrell to bluntly tell the squad some aspects of the performance were simply unacceptable as the famous team were given a stark reality check before heading to Australia. Itoje said: "When we were on it, we looked good, we just need to do it more consistently. "At times we were playing tippy-tappy rugby and that's not what we want to be. We want to be an aggressive team. We were nowhere near as accurate or as consistent as we wanted to be. We only showed glimmers of what we can do. Article continues below "Argentina showed us where we are lacking. I am happy we had a hard-fought game. "We live and learn. This is only match one. "The fans were amazing and showed us a glimmer of what it will be like in Australia."

Daily Mirror

2 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

British Lions coach Farrell issued major warning ahead of Joe Schmidt reunion

Former Australia captain James Horwill believes the Wallabies can spring a surprise this summer when they meet the challenge of the British and Irish Lions Australian rugby reached its lowest ebb at the 2023 Rugby World Cup but just two years later, Joe Schmidt has the team ready to challenge The British & Irish Lions. That is the view of James Horwill, captain the last time the Lions were in town, and confident the Wallabies are hitting their straps at just the right time. It is a far cry from the tail end of the Eddie Jones era, which featured an ignominious ending at the World Cup in France as Australia crashed out in the group stages for the very first time – a 40-6 defeat to Wales seemingly evidence of a side in terminal decline. Cue the arrival of Schmidt, fresh from success with Leinster and then Ireland, followed by a spell in the New Zealand coaching staff that coincided with a return to form for the All Blacks. ‌ All was not perfect in 2024, a year which saw Australia ship four tries in 10 minutes to Argentina in a record defeat. But by the end of the year, it was clear that the team had started to find their feet under the Kiwi, with a last-gasp win over England at Allianz Stadium the highlight. ‌ And Horwill believes that the performances of Australia's Super Rugby teams should give Wallaby fans even more confidence ahead of the arrival of the Lions. He said: 'There has been some good growth. When you reflect back as a country on the 2023 World Cup, it was very disappointing across the board. But since Joe has come in as coach, and been able to put a bit more stability around the programme, we saw some of the performances improve. 'Looking directly at last year's end-of-year tour, there were some good performances – the performance against England, we very well could have beaten Ireland in Ireland. Overall, I think it was a positive tour and we saw some steps in the right direction. 'This year, Super Rugby has seen much more sustained, consistent performances from our Aussie sides. Maybe towards the back end there has been a little bit of drop off. But early on in the year, we have seen much more consistency from our Super sides, which can only bode well for the Wallabies selectors. 'I think everything is trending in the right direction, with obviously a big challenge coming in the Lions tour.' ‌ Working alongside Schmidt are experienced campaigners Laurie Fisher – the former Gloucester coach – and New Zealand scrum guru Mike Cron. Last but not least, Geoff Parling, who went toe-to-toe with Horwill in that Lions series 12 years ago, will find himself on the other side of the battle this time around. And it is the influence of that support staff that has been crucial, according to Horwill. He said: 'Joe has brought in his experience of his time in Ireland and his ability to put that programme together. It is the stability, not just through Joe but also the assistants. There are very good assistants working with him. ‌ 'While the head coach is obviously important, now more than ever, the coaching group is vital, both at club and Test level. The team he has brought together from a coaching aspect is very impressive. There has been some real clarity of what they are trying to achieve and how they are trying to play. 'And then it's a bit about bringing a bit of confidence back and giving some guys a bit more time in the saddle to perform. There have no doubt been some challenges but if we've got guys available and firing, we've got quite a formidable team.' ‌ What is clear in 2025 is that Australia find themselves with greater options than in recent seasons – particularly in the back row where the stocks are overflowing. In addition to key figures like Rob Valetini, Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight, the likes of Carlo Tizzano from the Western Force and Seru Uru at the Reds would all hope to be in a matchday 23. Add in Josh Kemeny and Pete Samu, both of whom started the Champions Cup final for Northampton Saints and champions Bordeaux-Bègles respectively, and it is clear that Schmidt has some big calls to make. ‌ Horwill reflected: 'If you go through and want to pick a XV, if you go position-by-position, you are asking yourself who would you pick and it's a hard decision. We probably haven't had that in previous years. You can almost see the quality of the squad by the people you leave out, rather than the people you select. 'When he names his squad for the Lions, there are going to be guys who are very good players who deserve to be there but there just aren't enough shirts to get the job. That only bodes well for performance, guys pushing and people chomping at the heels if you don't perform. 'You just have a look and try to pick the back row now and who misses out? Who is on the bench? It will be a fascinating battle. ‌ 'I think Fraser McReight is a difference-maker for us. He's a player that we saw on the end-of-season tour at Wallaby level, the game he didn't play against Scotland, you saw the difference in performance. 'Who plays No.8? Bobby Valetini and Harry Wilson have been putting in huge performances. Those two guys are going to be vital to get that go-forward ball for us against the Lions. And Carlo Tizzano couldn't be doing much more.' ‌ Brought in to replace Jones after his disastrous second spell, Schmidt will move on in 2026, to be succeeded by Reds boss Les Kiss. He and Schmidt have previously worked together with Ireland, while Kiss has plenty of experience of northern hemisphere rugby, having spent time at Ulster and then London Irish prior to them entering administration. While there has been no clear succession plan over the last two Wallaby coach changes, there appears to be a longer-term vision this time around. Horwill said: 'The two guys have worked together previously with Ireland and while they are different, they both have a similar understanding of how they like the game to be played. 'In terms of consistency and continuing the momentum that hopefully we have built by then, going into a home World Cup, I imagine that it will go quite seamlessly. 'Joe is staying on until July next year now and my understanding is that a big part of that is to help Les set up that programme so that they are ready to pick up and run with it and are not starting afresh. 'While Les no doubt has some differences to what Joe does, speaking to the Queensland guys, they all speak incredibly highly of him. He's done some great things with the Reds in the short time he has been there.' Horwill and the Wallabies were part of a Lions series for the ages 12 years ago. With Schmidt at the helm and a team on the up, there is reason to believe this summer's tour could be just as entertaining.