Thursday night was a memorable one in the 3Arena, as the Premier League Darts made its annual visit to Dublin.
There was more hype surrounding this event than there had been for many years after the sensational breakthrough of Luke Littler at last year's World Championships ignited a surge of interest in the sport.
The 3Arena did not disappoint, with the Dublin darts crowd creating a sensational atmosphere for the world's finest players.
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Dublin darts crowd rock out to Nathan Aspinall's walk-on song
Perhaps the highlight of the evening was Nathan Aspinall's entrance ahead of his quarter-final against Rob Cross.
The Englishman's walk-on song is the timeless 'Mr Brightside' by The Killers, and the Dublin crowd belted out the lyrics to the 2003 classic. Aspinall appeared to be loving it, and encouraged the crowd to sing out.
The darts crowd in Dublin just wouldn't quit on Mr. Brightsidepic.twitter.com/6TDsUhunFL
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 21, 2024
It was a brilliant moment - but Nathan Aspinall revealed recently that he has actually grown to loathe his own walk-on song.
The 32-year-old said that he was trying to choose a walk-on song in 2019 when 'Mr Brightside' came on in a club and he decided to take a punt on it. It is a decision he now regrets:
It’s amazing. But with the greatest of respect, I absolutely f*****g hate the song. I used to love it but now, everywhere I go, they put it on.
But the fans love it, so long may it continue.
The fans certainly did love it in Dublin, and Apsinall put on a solid showing to reach the semi-finals on night eight of the Premier League series. He was ultimately eliminated by world champion Luke Humphries in the last four, with Humphries going on to claim a third night victory in a row.
'Mr Brightside' was not the only song to go down a treat with Dublin darts fans on Thursday night. After its takeover of Ireland's Rugby World Cup campaign last night, 'Zombie' was belted out by the crowd midway through the final between Humphries and Michael Smith.
🎶 Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie-ie 🎶
Great atmosphere in Dublin tonight 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/WEWB3jn3AL— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) March 21, 2024
It was a sensational atmosphere in Dublin and one which had some darts fans calling for a COVID-enforced change to be reversed.
The World Grand Prix of Darts was traditionally held in Ireland from 2000 onwards, with a single addition in Rosslare before it moved to Dublin. However, during the pandemic, the tournament was moved to the UK, initially in Coventry in 2020 before moving to Leicester, where the last three events have taken place.
One of darts' majors, it has been sorely missed by Dublin fans in recent years, and Thursday's electric atmosphere had fans calling for the World Grand Prix to return to the Convention Centre.
Hi @OfficialPDC
On behalf of everyone, please move the Grand Prix back to Dublin
Nobody wants to go to Leicester
Cheers— Josh (@joshpearson180) March 21, 2024
Please, please, please. For the love of all that’s holy.
Someone in Dublin let Matt Porter know a 2500 seater venue and bring the World Grand Prix home. Dublin needs it. #Darts needs it.— Jarleth Eaton (@jarleth_eaton) March 21, 2024
Prime example why the Grand Prix should never have been moved from Dublin
Brilliant atmosphere 🎯— Linfield1886 (@Linfield18862) March 21, 2024
They need to bring the Grand Prix back to Dublin @OfficialPDC #PremierLeagueDarts #Dublin
— . (@UtdBGZ) March 21, 2024
The venue for this year's World Grand Prix, set to take place in early October, has yet to be confirmed. We live in hope that we might just see it return to Dublin.
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