Limerick's Willie O'Connor missed a huge chance to progress at the PDC World Darts Championship last night after a costly error.
The 33-year-old, who struck eight 180s in the match, left himself with four to hit in the fifth leg against Gerwyn Price but inexplicably took aim at double one instead of double two.
Speaking to Dan Dawson's podcast after the match, O'Connor said he was devastated, and acknowledged he hadn't realised his error until afterward.
"I’m gutted to be honest. I’m obviously not learning from my past mistakes because it was there for the taking.
"I thought I wanted double two...I’m not sure. I thought I saw two on the board. To move forward you have to take opportunities and I had enough opportunities to move forward and I didn’t take them."
Price, who is considered one of the favourites to challenge defending champion Michael van Gerwen at this year's tournament, said it wasn't his place to point out O'Connor's mistake to him.
O’CONNOR’S MOMENT OF MADNESS!
A crucial miscount from the Irishman as he allows Price in before losing in the tie-break pic.twitter.com/WaUgIOdInK— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 20, 2019
"That's the most uncomfortable I've ever felt in a darts match, I couldn't handle the heat up there.
"From the moment I walked out I never felt at ease and I ended up chasing Willie throughout; he was probably the better player.
"He put me under pressure and I knew I don't have the best of records here but a win's a win.
"I had a bit of luck with Willie going for the wrong double at the end but I'm not going to tap him on the shoulder and tell him that!
"I've won tournaments before where I should've gone out in my first game so maybe this could be another one of those."
Cork's Ciaran Teehan is in second-round action today at Alexandra Palace.
The 20-year-old takes on former semi-finalist Mervyn King in the afternoon session.
Teehan knocked out England's Ross Smith 3-0 in his first-round tie. The tournament will conclude with the final on New Years' Day.
