Northern Eire’s Josh Rock mentioned he did not anticipate his first Premier League look to be as quickly because it has been forward of taking part in his first night time in Belfast on Thursday.
Rock will participate within the fourth spherical of the Premier League on the SSE Area and remains to be looking for his first victory of the event.
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The 24-year-old will face Gian van Veen within the quarter-finals, who misplaced the Poland Darts Open in opposition to Luke Littler regardless of a nine-dart end.
“Being within the Premier League is a dream come true from after I was a child,” Rock instructed BBC Sport NI.
“I did say I’d rise up on this stage after I received the Greatest Youth Participant of the Yr and Greatest Newcomer, however I did not anticipate it to be as quickly as it’s. I am unable to wait to rise up there.
“It has been incredible and probably the greatest emotions I’ve ever had being in that again room understanding what I’m right here for.”
Rock has misplaced all his Premier League quarter-finals up to now 6-2 after being defeated by Jonny Clayton in Newcastle, crushed by Michael van Gerwen in Antwerp and Luke Humphries knocking him out in Glasgow.
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Consequently, he’s presently backside of the Premier League desk on zero factors, alongside Stephen Bunting however that does not concern him.
“I’m taking part in OK, I have not began off the Premier League as I needed to, however I’ve to construct the bridge and go over it,” he continued.
“I feel I’ve coped with it nicely, however clearly everybody I’m taking part in has been taking part in higher than me, so I simply must up the gear.
“The very best eight gamers on the planet are there for a motive and it will be robust to beat them so hopefully that Northern Irish crowd goes to get on my aspect and I can beat Van Veen.”
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‘I feel Van Veen will get booed the entire sport’
His opening opponent on Thursday night time can be a Premier League newcomer.
Van Veen, 23, has had a breakthrough 12 months, reaching the World Championship ultimate in January after successful the European Championship in 2025, and can be a back-to-back World Youth Champion.
Nevertheless, Rock added that he has “not one bit” of sympathy for Van Veen if he experiences a hostile response in Belfast.
“It occurred to me once we performed in Holland final 12 months,” Rock mentioned.
“I’d be shocked if he did not get booed, however I feel he’ll get booed the entire sport. Van Veen has coped with the crowds and I feel he shall be OK.
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“Will probably be very, very loud. We have not had a Northern Irish participant since 2019 [Daryl Gurney] so hopefully it will all come good.”
It has been an thrilling begin to the Premier League with three totally different winners up to now.
Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Value and Jonny Clayton have received the opening nights of the 16-week league section earlier than the play-offs on the O2 Area on 28 Might.
“It’s good to see totally different winners, however the Premier League is rather a lot totally different to majors,” he added.
“The primary main of the 12 months Luke Littler received it, shock. Who was within the ultimate? Luke Humphries.
“Relating to the rating majors, it’s laborious to look previous the 2 Lukes then everybody else when within the Premier League.”
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You possibly can comply with reside textual content commentary from night time 4 of the Premier League on Thursday on the BBC Sport web site and app.