Nick Kenny hoping to beat Justin Hood in World Darts Championship first round

The 32-year-old impressed in last years tournament defeating Stowe Buntz and darting icon Raymond van Barneveld before losing to eventual finalist Luke Humphries in the third round.

“I remember watching him [van Barneveld] in the old BDO days. I was always fascinated with the difference in the thud on the board,” he reminisced.

“It was surreal beating him. He didn’t play well, but he’s one of the top five players of all time.”

Currently ranked 54th in the World, Kenny has been drawn against Englishman Justin Hood in the first round on Tuesday.

“Justin is a good player, he wouldn’t have wanted me and I didn’t really want him, and I’m his mate as well.”

“It’s like little and large” he joked.

“He’s only about five foot to be honest, he’s tiny, and I’m six foot two, we had a little joke when the draw came out”.

Playing in his fourth World Championship Kenny believes his experience will help him reach the second round, where he could face world number six Danny Noppert or World Championship debutant Jurgen van der Velde.

“My experience should come through in that first round, I’m not saying I’m going to win, all I want to do is play well and if I play my game and take my doubles, then I should win in my eyes.

“I think Justin is actually a favourite to beat me, but I’ve got a job to do Tuesday, and if I was to win then we’d look forward to Danny or Jürgen.”