DARTS Josh is the comeback kid
YOUNG Swindon darts star Josh McCarthy put in a battling performance to come from behind to add the English Masters Youth Singles title to his already impressive CV.
The 15-year-old from Upper Stratton, who beat 15-time world champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor in 2010, stormed through the early rounds at the Ricoh Arena without dropping a leg, before coming up against Nathan Street in the final of the event staged by the BDO.
Despite having been faultless all day, McCarthy slipped to 2-0 down in the final with Street missing a shot at the bullseye for the match, but the England youth representative battled back and won the next three legs to take the title by the narrowest of margins.
The youngster hailed the victory as the best of his career, and is hoping it will push him on to further success.
“I have won a few youth darts titles in the past, but nothing as big as this so I am obviously very pleased,” he said.
“It is one of the major events on the youth calendar, and to win it is an amazing feeling, but there is a bit of relief too.
“I got to the final without losing a leg which was great, but then I went 2-0 down and I suppose I was a bit worried.
“Luckily he missed his shot at the bull, and I came back and got the win.”
McCarthy also played well on the PDC Youth Tour the previous day before losing to current world under 21 champion James Hubbard, and along with fellow Swindonian Zak Cross, is due to represent his country in the Euro Youth Cup which begins in Belgium on Thursday.
“It is all really good experience for me,” he said,
“Representing my country at darts is a great honour, and I hope this win can help me go on and play well in Belgium.
“Playing on the PDC is good too and I think I did ok, but I ended up losing to James, and there is no disgrace in that because he is a champion.”
McCarthy’s father Neil was at the event in the Midlands, and was understandably proud of what his son achieved.
“He looked unstoppable for most of the day and was beating everyone and looked great.
“But then he went behind in the final and we are all worried he was going to throw it away at the last hurdle.
“But he came back well and he did a great job to win, and we are all very proud of him.
“Representing England in the Euro Youth Cup is a great honour, and winning this event is a great way to warm up for that competition.”