Darts referee George Noble believes Irish darts has never been in a better place ahead of the 2023 PDC World Championship - and Phil Taylor even fancies one Northern Irish hopeful to go all the way.
Noble was speaking on Off The Ball ahead of the beginning of the action from the Ally Pally in London.
The World Championship features a field of 96 players and there are some strong Irish contenders among the group, with promising youngsters Josh Rock and Keane Barry the cause of a lot of pre-tournament talk.
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Other Irish stars such as Nathan Rafferty and Mickey Mansell will also step up to the oche and referee Noble believes the conveyor belt of talent has only aided the outlook for darts in Ireland overall.
He said: "I think that's the aim of the PDC, to get people from different countries, they'd like people from different countries to be able to win the world title.
"It happened with the Dutch obviously back in the day with Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen.
"Day one, Mickey Mansell's on the first session, so is Nathan Rafferty, he's taking on Jermaine Wattimena. Willie O'Connor's got an interesting match against Bo Greaves, the new hot proerty in the womens game.
"Irish darts has never been in a better place than at the moment."
And Noble reserved special praise for Antrim youngster Josh Rock.
Rock won the 2022 PDC World Youth Championship in his debut year at the international level and though he meets the grand stage of the Ally Pally at the tender age of 21, Noble believes he could have enough about him to impress.
He continued: "Rock's a great prospect and a lot of poeple think he's going to go on to do great things.
"There's a lot of pressure on his shoulders for a young man, but he seems to be able to handle it.
"It'll be interesting to see how Josh performs in this World Championship coming up because I think the world is his oyster.
"He's got the ability, it's just whether he can progress on the path that everyone thinks he will do."
And one darts legend in particular believes Rock can progress along that path - none other than Phil 'The Power' Taylor.
The 16-time world champion has been impressed by the young Northern Irishman.
Rock struck a televised nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen at the Grand Slam just last month, something which made Taylor sit up and take notice.
He said: "Josh Rock has really impressed me. He hasn’t just got the skill, he’s got a nice attitude to go with it.
"He’s good to watch, the crowds are going to love him.
“You don’t hit a nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen at the Grand Slam, live on the box, if you’re not a serious player.
“Now’s the time when we’ll find out because he’s landed in the deep end. It’s sink or swim, but he’s got something special and he can only get better over the next few years.
“He looks capable of going to Ally Pally and making a statement.
“The top players are setting the bar high these days – but there’s always room at the top of your Christmas tree for the brightest star.”
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