Aidan's Dublin Diary - Hamilton and Lewis

Posted: 08.10.13 in Tournament Analysis Blog category

The third instalment of Aidan's interviews with the winners from last night!

Aidan Farrelly will be chatting exclusively for the Darts Performance Centre with the winners from each Round One tie in this year’s PartyPoker World Grand Prix in Dublin. We want to know how each player approaches the treacherous double start competition, how they compose their nerves, and any other performance related tips along the way.

Andy Hamilton

“I couldn’t ask for a better start than that. I was a bit nervous at the start, just a little edgy. But it was great to win that game. Six out of six doubles is brilliant.

“My practice game and my form in general has been really good. I know what I can do. My game is solid. I always play my best game on the TV. So as long as I can keep doing that I’m happy.

“I like to focus on one game, give it 110% and then go home. Floor events are different.

“Over the last two years, being in the Premier League, it’s proven I am a top eight player. I have been in a lot of quarter finals and semi-finals and I am really happy.

“I lost focus during the middle there in that game. That’s the area I need to work on if I want to win that tournament. I can’t come in and out of games; I need to stay in it all the time. I want to make the final this week. I want to win this tournament, and I think I can do it.

Darts Performance Centre Analysis

We get a number of players who go through the same break in concentration during a game. Over a short format it can be a huge problem, as the game is gone before you realise your mind has drifted elsewhere. We usually recommend self-talk. Find a key word to say to your self-focus, concentrate, don’t drift, whatever it takes to make sure you keep your head in the game.

Give that a go Hammer!

Adrian Lewis

“I thought to myself at one stage, if you can’t beat them, join them. It’s hard. The main thing is as long as you don’t let it affect you too much. It’s not too bad when everyone is doing it, but when there are a few at the front that’s difficult.

“When the pressure is on, I dug in against Brendan. It’s anybody’s game in this format.

“You can’t relax. Brendan is one of the most underestimated players in the top 16, he is one of the best. And I’m not just saying that because I won.

“I played well tonight. I missed some doubles and he went out. But for the last set, I had learned my lesson.

“I am not here to make up the numbers. I want to win this tournament.

“My form is good. I won the Pro Tour event in Dublin on Saturday, and lost on the Sunday with a 101 average against Painter. Sometimes you just take it on the chin and move on don’t you?

Darts Performance Centre Analysis

Jackpot was clearly troubled by the home crowd not just cheering for The History Maker but trying to upset Lewis too. We have been down this road many times. Yes we would love dart fans to sit quietly and respectfully in their seats and clap enthusiastically when either player plays a particularly impressive shot! Wouldn’t we?

Well I wouldn’t for one. Professional sport is about passion and it is about fans. Sometimes this is expressed as resentment for the opposition! That’s life, deal with it! And I think Jackpot did. He played along with the crowd and gave them some stick back. Best of all though he won! That is the best way to silence the crowd!

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Meet Aidan

Aidan has been a fan of darts since a young age, although he didn't pick up his first set if arrows until he was 23. In that time, Aidan has been dedicated to finding out what it takes to become a professional. He plays with two club teams in his County in Ireland.

Aidan documents his ups and downs of improving his game, and explores some of the unknown, yet crucial elements of darts such as nerves, confidence and much much more.

Aidan teamed up with the Darts Performance Centre ahead of his battle with Raymond van Barneveld 12 months ago, a relationship which he admits has "helped me to focus on certain areas that needed improvement, and the support from Paul and Andy guarantees will make you a better dart player".

Aidan throws a 23g DPC Elite Performance dart. He loves to tell people that he has now lost count of the amount of 180s he has thrown. His highest checkout in a competitive leg is 130, and the closest he has come to a perfect leg was two maximums before crippling under pressure to finish out with a 15 dart leg.

His plan is simple: to be a Pro! Follow his journey right here!

Aidan welcomes any feedback, advice or questions. You can find him on twitter: @A_Farrelly or email: throwlikeaprodarts@gmail.com