McGeeney overcomes nerves

Mark McGeeney

Darts: OLDHAM town team ace Mark McGeeney shrugged off nerves to secure a dream BDO World Championship debut win.

Taking to the famous Lakeside stage for the first time, “The Gladiator” McGeeney (43) sailed to victory in his first-round game against Swedish number one Peter Sajwani.

McGeeney, the Stockport-based Lancashire county star, romped to a three sets to nil victory, losing only two legs along the way.

“I knew I was going to be nervous in the first leg,” McGeeney said afterwards. “I’ve never been as nervous in my life. I was shaking like a leaf up there. Once I’d settled down and got the first couple of legs out of the way, I just told myself to do what I do and I knew I’d have the game to beat Peter.”

McGeeney, seeded 11, now faces last year’s Lakeside world champion Scott Mitchell in the last 16 tomorrow afternoon. Mitchell is ranked six, but McGeeney isn’t daunted.

“For me it was all about getting through that first game. When I face Scott, I’ll be much more relaxed. If I play my normal game, I’ll beat him,” he said.