Josh Rock is relishing the opportunity to play on home turf, as the BetMGM Premier League arrives in Belfast for Night Four on Thursday. Rock will become only the second Northern Irish player to play on home soil in the Premier League, as the SSE Arena will host its first native player since Daryl Gurney […]
Josh Rock is relishing the opportunity to play on home turf, as the BetMGM Premier League arrives in Belfast for Night Four on Thursday.
Rock will become only the second Northern Irish player to play on home soil in the Premier League, as the SSE Arena will host its first native player since Daryl Gurney in 2019.
The 24-year-old newcomer, who is yet to pick up a win after three nights, is hopeful that having the backing of the crowd will boost his chances of picking up his first points.
I’m massively excited to play in Belfast.
– Josh Rock, before playing in front of the 11,000 strong sold-out crowd.
“It’s the one out of all of them I’ve been really looking forward to, we haven’t had anyone from Northern Ireland for over five years.
“I probably won’t be able to sleep the night before, but it would be good to be nice and fresh for Belfast! I think I might be too excited to sleep.
“It would mean more than any other night obviously, but I don’t think there’s any added pressure. Hopefully I will enjoy it a little bit more because my friends and family will be there supporting me.”
The Northern Irishman’s premier appearance in front of a home crowd is made all the more special by his World Cup success alongside Gurney for his country.
Rock has thoroughly enjoyed entertaining some of the largest crowds in the sport since his introduction in the Premier League, and Thursday night should be no different.
“It was the first World Cup for Northern Ireland in any sport that we won, so going up as a World Cup champion will be a good feeling,” said Rock on his historic victory in Frankfurt.
“I love the big crowds, I’ve been smiling every time I walk to the stage.
“I know what I’m there for in the Premier League to play in these big arenas. It’s arenas you dream to play in, and I’m just grateful to play in them.
Whoever the best four players are after 16 weeks makes Finals Night, so there’s a long way to go. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” – null
Rock’s start to life in the Premier League is yet to catch fire, being one of two players yet to pick up a win after three weeks.
Opening round losses to Jonny Clayton, Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries gives the 24-year-old work to do early on, but he is confident results will soon come.
“I haven’t been playing badly, everyone has just been playing better than me,” insisted Rock.
“Jonny averaged 110, Luke averaged 106 – there’s not much you can do unless you hit a 110 average yourself.
“I’ve been playing decent enough in this Premier League, but I just haven’t got the results just yet, but it will turn.”
Rock faces fellow debutant Gian van Veen in a testing bid to open his Premier League account.
The Dutch number one finished runner-up at the inaugural Poland Darts Open on Sunday, hitting a nine-dart finish in the final, whilst he sits third in the Premier League standings after reaching the final in two of the three opening weeks.
“It’s going to be tough for Gian because the Belfast crowd will be against him,” expressed Rock.
“I think he will cope with it okay, so the best player is going to win. Anybody is hard to beat on their day.
“Belfast being the home town one, hopefully it’s a good start.”