Irish youngster Ciaran Teehan makes his return to the MODUS Super Series this week, taking his place in Group C and stepping up to the oche from Thursday afternoon.
Last time out in Portsmouth, things didn’t go as well as he’d have liked, winning just one of his group matches. However, Teehan knows what it’s like to taste glory on that stage, having successfully claimed a weekly title just over a year ago. With another triumph prior to that, the Corkonian would love nothing more than to leave the south coast with a hat-trick match ball come Saturday night.
Ahead of his arrival in Hampshire, Darts World caught up with the man known as High Tower for a quick chat – and to find out how things have been going on the oche of late:
“Not too bad at the moment. I’ve been playing a lot of local tournaments around Ireland, and it’ll be my first time back in the UK since the PDC Challenge Tour earlier this year. Things didn’t really go to plan when I came to MODUS last September, but I’m hoping to put that right and do much better. I’d say it’s better coming in later in the week rather than starting on Monday because you feel fresher – it stops you possibly getting burnt out.
“Whenever I play in that event, my immediate goal is to try and make it through to Finals Night – then once in that, anything can happen. It’s all on the day.”
Once a PDC tour card holder, Ciaran admits he’d love to win back that golden ticket, which remains his ultimate goal:
“Oh, definitely. I know it’s very hard once you’re playing on that circuit, but it’s where I want to be – testing myself against the best week in, week out. But it’s a cut-throat business, and it’s difficult to qualify for the TV or Euro Tour events. Often, if you don’t make the Europeans, there can be a long break between Pro Tours, and of course, we’re restricted from competing in other tournaments.
“Perhaps down the line it’s something the PDC could look at – maybe lift those restrictions for players outside the top 32. It would help keep players fresh and give us more opportunities to stay sharp and earn more money.”
For now, though, Teehan is happy competing on the ADC circuit, gratefully accepting MODUS Super Series call-ups, and attending PDC Challenge Tours:
“I reached a semi-final a couple of months ago on the Challenge Tour, and the ADC is a very good platform – I’m enjoying it and doing pretty well. Let’s hope I have a good few days in Portsmouth and can use this experience, exposure, and high level of competition to push on for the rest of the season.”
That’s the plan. Teehan will be joined in Group C by Darren Johnson, Jonathan Platt and a trio who have been hard at it since Monday.
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Images: PDC
