Inside the WDF

Episode #107: WDF Europe Cup Preview

In a special WDF Europe Cup preview, Andrew is joined by Martin Heneghan, Patrik Kovacs and David Concannon.

Martin (11:27) calls in to discuss defending his Europe Cup Singles title, Ireland's hopes of silverware this week, his brother's recent growth as a player and the benefits he got from online darts.

Patrik (36:18), with the assistance of Eniko Harsanyi, joins the show to talk about his career, playing at the PDC World Cup aged 20, learning from Rob Cross, using the WDF tour to develop as a player, chasing a World Championship place and why he's called 'The Planer'.

David (1:21:30) then talks to Andrew about his WDF Europe Cup win in 2014, his subsequent travels to Australia and how that scene compared to Ireland, getting back into the Irish team this year and becoming "Mr Super Sunday" on the INDO circuit.

Enjoy!

Episode #106: Reece Colley

Andrew is joined by British Open champion Reece Colley for the latest episode of the podcast.

Reece (10:29) calls in to discuss his maiden WDF title win in Bridlington, coming through a good scene in the Black Country, honing his game on the Development Tour, honouring a promise to his late Grandfather by qualifying for the World Championships, winning the British Open with his brother's 'Argos darts' and taking advice from Jamie Hughes. 

Enjoy!

Episode #105: Peter Machin, Shane McGuirk

In this week's episode, Andrew reviews the British Open action, gives his thoughts on the World Masters update and is joined by Peter Machin and Shane McGuirk.

Peter (8:44) calls in to discuss winning two titles on the WDF tour this year, 'rediscovering his identity' after the pandemic, why playing at the Australian Darts Open was extra special, chasing a World Championship debut and helping his son Ethan grow into the game. 

Shane (37:26) then joins the show to talk about his recent win at the FCD Anniversary Open, an important World Masters run in 2018, winning his first Development Tour title in 2019 and where his nickname 'The Arrow' came from.

Enjoy!

Episode #104: Lorraine Winstanley

The show is back after a couple of weeks away and in this episode, Andrew is joined by Lorraine Winstanley.

Lorraine (6:22) calls in to discuss winning the Swedish Open for the fifth time, her return to Lakeside back in April, winning a Women's Series event and playing in the first Women's World Matchplay, her role as Target's Head of Youth Development, wanting more clarity on the WDF majors and whether she's got a future career in archery.

Enjoy!

Episode #103: Darren Johnson

In this week's episode, Andrew is joined by Denmark and England Open finalist Darren Johnson.

DJ (11:30) calls in to discuss his darting career, travelling with Dennis Priestley, his time in the PDC, getting injured when he found a run of form in 2017, enjoying a successful year on the WDF and Seniors Tours, not feeling he's played his best darts yet, his experience at the Live League and whether he was serious about a change of walk-on song.

Andrew also recaps the action from the Swedish Open and Masters, looks ahead to this weekend's action in Australia and moans about the lack of information from the WDF on the World Masters and World Championships. 

Episode #102: Jamie Lewis, Anna Forsmark

In this episode, Andrew is joined by the Antwerp Open champion Jamie Lewis and Swedish international Anna Forsmark.

Jamie (5:08) calls in to discuss being inspired by Andy Fordham in the early years, winning two big WDF Youth titles in 2009, the highlights of his eight-year PDC career, linking up with MB Sports Management, returning to the WDF tour this year and getting his confidence back up.

Anna (28:29) then joins the show to discuss winning three WDF titles this year, representing Sweden over the last 12 years, why finding love inspired her to do more of the tour, wanting to qualify for the WDF World Championships and why she's got Dory on her darts shirt. 

There's also a review of the recent action in New Zealand, a preview of the Swedish Open weekend and listener questions. Enjoy!

Episode #101: Victoria Monaghan

In this episode, Andrew is joined by the recent New Zealand Open champion Victoria Monaghan.

Victoria (10:33) calls into the show to discuss winning the New Zealand Open and qualifying for the 2023 WDF World Championships, her background in darts, grappling with gender identity issues, starting her transition two years ago, facing backlash from the NZ dart community, being a trailblazer and much more.

There's also a review of the action at the Australian Darts Open, a discussion about providing updates from events, a recap of the action in Belgium and Andrew answers listener questions. Enjoy!

Episode #100: Neil Duff, Nicole Regnaud, Shaun McDonald

Andrew is back for Episode 100 of the podcast, featuring Neil Duff, Nicole Regnaud and Shaun McDonald.

Neil (1:08) calls in ahead of flying out to the Australian Open to discuss his year since winning the World title, feeling like he's been resting on his laurels since Lakeside, the difficulties of adjusting to giving up work, his expectations for the Australian Open and why he's not doing Q-School in 2023.

Nicole (32:36) then makes her first appearance on the show to discuss winning the New Zealand National Singles, coming from a darting family, doing a criminology degree, looking forward to playing against some of the World's best at the Australian Open, chasing a Worlds debut and fainting in front on Adrian Lewis. 

Finally, Shaun (1:02:06) calls in to talk his Lakeside debut, a bumpy run at Q-School, why the WDF needs to scrap best of five games, announcing he'd signed with Mission and to grill Andrew with some questions of his own.

There's also a preview of the Australian Darts Open and Andrew answers a bunch of listener questions. Enjoy!

 

Episode #99: Dave Prins, Brandon Weening

In this episode, Andrew is joined by the Isle of Man Open champion Dave Prins and 'The Python' Brandon Weening. 

Dave (1:00) calls in to discuss having trials with Leeds United as a teenager, being a relatively late-starter in darts, making his Lakeside debut in 2010, facing match-fixing allegations in 2012, returning to TV this year at the World Seniors Championship and WDF World Championship, already booking his spot at next year's WDF Worlds and his one last goal in the sport.

Brandon (38:33) then joins the show to discuss his development as a player over the last 9-10 months, emerging from his father's shadow, eyeing up World Series and Ally Pally debuts, looking forward to his delayed World Youth Championship appearance and wanting to make a serious impact in August's Australian Darts Open.

Enjoy!

Episode #98: Alexander Merkx, Wendy Harper

In this episode, Andrew is joined by two players who've enjoyed good starts to the year - Alexander Merkx and Wendy Harper.

First, Alexander (1:12) calls in to discuss his title wins in Lithuania and Switzerland, not initially planning to play the WDF tour seriously this year, travelling with his best friend, being inspired by Raymond van Barneveld, playing as well as he ever has right now and aiming for a World Championship place.

Then, Wendy (28:00) joins the show to talk about being a little rusty when darts resumed in New Zealand last month, being kept on her toes by Nicole Regnaud, qualifying for the Australian Darts Open, hoping to play her 'hero' Lisa Ashton and why she turned down her spot at Lakeside earlier this year.

Enjoy!