Dean Finn-Forde returns to the MODUS Super Series next week – and while his suitcase still edges him on height, the Waterford wizard continues to punch well above his weight on the oche.
Once known as The Scorpion in his younger days, the 27-year-old has since shelved the nickname. No dramatic identity crisis – just natural evolution. The moniker came from Dean being small in stature but apparently armed with quite the pinch. And no, it had nothing to do with a rogue arachnid outbreak in south-east Ireland.
If anything, he admits The Shark might suit better these days: “Finn, obviously… and Forde – well, that’s my dad’s surname,” he explains. Ironically, his first car was a Ford. It’s practically branding at this point.
Ranked 13th on the Amateur Darts Circuit (ADC) leaderboard heading into a packed weekend in Leicester, the Waterford man is hoping to use it as both a springboard and a confidence boost before making the trek to Portsmouth. It’ll be his second outing at the MODUS Live Lounge, and he’ll be aiming to go one better than last time – when, after battling through from the very start, he topped Group C, reached Finals Night, and came within a whisker of glory before a narrow 4–3 semi-final defeat to Andy Boulton.
Since then, he’s been sharpening his game across the ADC circuit, while also dipping into INDO ranking events and the Challenge Tour when time and travel allow. His calendar isn’t exactly light, but he admits there’s one key ingredient missing: regular matches against top-tier opposition.
“The better player I play against, the better I perform,” Dean says. “Once I get a chance to keep playing against top opponents, I’ll only get better.”
Confidence, he insists, is no longer a problem. And for that, he credits the ADC – especially one result in particular.
“When I made an ADC final earlier this year in Aylesbury, it gave me that spark to kick on. Without that organisation and the INDO [Irish National Darts Organisation], I wouldn’t have found the confidence I once had as a young kid. But I’m back now.”
As for Irish darts? Finn-Forde reckons it’s never been in a stronger place – more Tour Card holders, more thriving youth events, and an energy that’s clearly building across the country:
“The JDC is doing unreal with the youths too – every event seems to be getting better.”
So, with sharp arrows, sharper wit, and a name that basically writes its own headlines, Finn-Forde’s back in town. No nickname? No problem. Just don’t be surprised if The Shark shows his teeth next week in Portsmouth.
—–ENDS—-
Images: MODUS
