Northern Ireland World Cup winner and national treasure, Josh Rock hasn’t even thrown a dart yet and Belfast is already trembling.
When the Premier League roadshow rolls into the SSE Arena at the end of February, it won’t feel like night four of a long season. It’ll feel like a coronation attempt. A homecoming wrapped in noise, nerves and expectation, with one small detail adding jet fuel to the fire – Luke Littler will be standing on the other side of the stage. Even Rock knows what’s coming.
“I think it’s going to be absolutely nuts,” he told BBC Sport NI, and that might be the understatement of the Premier League season.
This is new territory for the man from County Antrim. For the first time, Rock is part of darts’ most exclusive travelling circus – eight players, seventeen weeks, nowhere to hide. It begins in Newcastle, but the date circled in thick marker is February 26th. Belfast. Home soil. No escape. And Rock understands just how much has changed since Northern Ireland last had a Premier League presence.
“Daryl [Gurney] was the last one from Northern Ireland to be part of the Premier League, but that was prior to COVID and darts wasn’t as big back then. Now, the game is bigger than it has ever been.”
Bigger crowds. Bigger noise. Bigger pressure. And standing opposite him will be the biggest name of them all.
“I play Luke [Littler] in Belfast so we’ll see what happens,” Rock said, already smiling through the challenge. “Every time I have played him it’s been 100 plus averages every time. I’ve been in front every time but just can’t seem to get over the line, but I’ll get him yet.”
That rivalry has become appointment viewing – two relentless scorers refusing to blink. Off the stage, though, it’s a different story.
“We talk to each other almost every day,” Rock revealed. And he’s under no illusions about Littler’s impact on the sport.
“Everything has to go down to Luke Littler. If it wasn’t for him doing what he did when he was only 16 and winning the Worlds the past two years the sport wouldn’t be where it is now. Everyone has to thank him for it.”
Rock has watched darts explode in real time.
“It has gone through the roof now. Darts is in a different place now than it was 10 years ago when I was a youth player. There are so many opportunities now.”
The last year has transformed his own career too – steady ranking climbs, sharper performances, and a key equipment change.
“I’ve put a lot of time and effort in. I switched manufacturing company and I think that’s been the biggest difference and now I’m into the Premier League which was one of my goals.”
Even the call-up itself came with drama.
“The night before the Premier League line-up was announced, I didn’t sleep because I hadn’t heard anything and then 20 minutes before it was released I found out I was in. It was a relief in a way.”
The scale of it still hasn’t fully landed.
“I don’t think it has really sunk in but when I’m standing up on that stage in Belfast it’s going to hit me. I might be a bit nervous but I’ll enjoy the moment.”
Because, as Rock knows, this is the badge of belonging.
“They always say you’re not one of the elite players until you’re in the Premier League, now I can say I’m one of the elite players because I’m on television for the next 17 weeks straight. It’s a good feeling.”
The ultimate ambition hasn’t changed, even after a tough World Championship exit.
“I felt I could go all the way this year but then I fell into Justin Hood who hit 100% of doubles and I couldn’t do much against him, but I do believe one day I’ll be a world champion. I’ll be happy to walk away from this game with one world title.”
And the targets are set.
“I’d like to get to the O2 for the final four and this year my aim is to get into the top four in the world.”
First, though, Belfast. Noise. Littler. Seventeen weeks of proof.And one night that’s going to be, in Rock’s own words, absolutely nuts.
—–ENDS—-
Images: PDC
