As Dublin shop owners can confirm, people never previously interested in the sport are picking up darts after being inspired by the teenage world champion
Kayden Kavanagh plays darts at the Belvedere Youth Club in north Dublin . 'The Luke Littler effect' has driven many new kids to the sport. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
Shane Hyland has four boys – aged 10, 11, 13 and 14 - and he’s here to buy new darts for them. “I used to think darts were only for alcoholics playing in pubs but Littler has kicked off things for everyone. It’s the first time my boys have ever played darts.” Sreenan says that he used to watch the World Championships with his dad, who died 20 years ago. “I’m watching it again now because Littler plays really exciting darts. There is a buzz of electricity watching him. It’s comparable to watching George Best playing football,” he says.
Nicknamed “The Nuke”, Littler has won 11 senior Professional Darts Corporation titles, the first when he was 14. He was two days before his 17th birthday when he succeeded in his nine-darter feat at the Bahrain Darts Masters event in 2024. Fergus O'Brien, owner of Brenfer Trophies on Dublin's Capel Street, has seen how the 'Luke Littler effect' has fuelled interest in darts. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni
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