Dylan "Oceans" Slevin recorded his first-ever victory at the World Darts Championships on Friday night with a win over fellow Munsterman Willie O'Connor in an extremely rare all-Irish tie at the Ally Pally.
O'Connor comes from Cappamore in Co. Limerick while Slevin hails from Borrisokane in Co. Tipperary. The friendship between the two was obvious throughout the early stages of the duel. It also created an unusual tension.
Slevin stormed to an early lead taking the first two sets.
O'Connor was far off his imperious best in exiting in the first round. He was constantly rolling his eyes and looked frustrated with his own misses. He cut a forlorn figure from beginning to end: the Sky Sports broadcast team described him as looking like "a man waiting to see the dentist".
However The Magpie rocketed to life in the middle of the third set and suddenly found the mojo that had abandoned him after a huge 180 that came right after breaking Slevin.
HUGE 180 celebration from William O'Connor 💪
Sky Sports have teamed up with Paddy Power to save men’s lives, it’s the BIGGER 180. Every 180 hit at the darts will result in Paddy Power donating £1000 to Prostate Cancer UK. pic.twitter.com/dqD1cWLJsJ— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 20, 2024
Slevin's form then abandoned him, as O'Connor won the first two legs of the fourth set. However Slevin hung around and found a way to win the set, and game three set to one. Both players looked frustrated and a bit defeated afterwards. There were a number of pats on the back from both men before leaving the stage. It was clear neither enjoyed having to go head-to-head with each other.
It was a Cappamore v Borrisokane at the Ally Pally tonight.
Dylan 'Oceans' Slevin won the all-Munster tie in what was a frustrating game for both players. It was nice to see the mutual respect between the two friends when it was all over. pic.twitter.com/gow1NTpVTI— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) December 20, 2024
Dylan Slevin: 'the hardest game of my life'
Speaking afterwards, Slevin called it the "hardest game of his life" and said he never wanted to play an Irish player again in this competition.
"Luckily I got over the line. I sad it to the lads out there. I never want to go through that again, playing Willie, or any of the Irish lads, Brendan, Mickey or anything like that. That was the hardest game of my life.
🗣️ "This means the world to me! I'm still shaking!"
Dylan Slevin reflects on a maiden World Championship victory, and previews his showdown against Dimitri Van den Bergh!#WCDarts pic.twitter.com/b2Se0G0lTI— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 20, 2024
The 22-year-old Tipp man will meet Dimitiri van der Bergh in the next round on Sunday evening, who Slevin said he has never played before.
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