13th seed Michael Smith must have wondered what he had to do to shake off Steve Lennon.
Because the Irish man made him dig deep. He made the favourite trawl deep into his reserves to secure that one.
On his World Championship debut, Carlow man Steve Lennon put up a brave fight against English hope Michael Smith, but eventually was overpowered and lost out 3-2.
Lennon was left to rue a slow start, as he lost the first two sets of the match to ‘Bully-boy.’ The Englishman was throwing his darts at a phenomenal pace, and with a phenomenal consistency. He really is a hard man to match when he gets in the groove.
And he was in the groove for the opening two sets, with Lennon staring a disappointing defeat in the face going into the third.
WHAT A COOL WAY TO WRAP UP SET TWO | Michael Smith made that look far too easy 😎#WHdarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/Ciu0RmNHP4
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 20, 2017
The 24-year-old wouldn’t go down without a fight, however, and when he tied the match by winning the next two sets, a real shock looked to be on the cards in Alexander Palace.
Even though you wouldn’t be able to tell that by his body language. Well renowned for his deadpan style, he wasn’t set to break character on the biggest stage of all. He doesn’t display much emotion, but he was doing his country proud.
And this was a credit to the Irish man. It wasn’t that he had caught Smith on an off-day – he hit ten 180s in the five sets – but instead that his own calmness stood to him in good stead, firing six maximums of his own.
MICHAEL SMITH WINS IT | Lennon fought hard but it's The Bully Boy who progresses#WHdarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/FwCJnuhgrb
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 20, 2017
Eventually, the Englishman’s experience told as he held out for a narrow 3-2 victory, but Irish supporters far and wide are convinced that we have a future star on our hands.
Steve Lennon is on his way to be a top darts player. Will be top 16 in a couple of years 🎯 #WHDarts #WorldDartsChampionships
— Jack Garwood (@TheGobFather180) December 20, 2017
Very impressed by fellow Irishman Steve Lennon at the PDC World Darts Championship tonight. Came up a bit short losing 3:2 against Michael Smith but showed real composure throughout. Looks like a star for the future. 💪💪💪 #LoveTheDarts #PDC
— Colin Nolan (@cwnolan15) December 20, 2017
What a great display from Steve Lennon, cool as a breeze baby..he'll be back.. #PDCWorldChampionship @SkySportsDarts
— Helena FitzGerald (@cattlenclydes) December 20, 2017
@OfficialPDC Great darts from Steve Lennon very unlucky 👏
— Des Ray (@DesDessyray80) December 20, 2017
Steve Lennon should be proud of that performance on his debut. Great effort lad
— Keyser Soze (@PatrickM8364) December 20, 2017
Steve Lennon is the best darts player the Republic has ever produced unbelievable talent so he is future top 16 player in the next 2 years no doubt!
— Keith Cullinane (@Keith_Cullinane) December 20, 2017
Great darts from Steve Lennon there! Pushed @BullyBoy180 all the way! Good game!
— CoveyWhu ⚒ (@WhuCovey) December 20, 2017
