Willie O’Connor has welcomed Mickey Mansell’s decision to represent the Republic of Ireland at the World Cup of Darts for the first time. The 2026 edition of the tournament will take place from the 11th to the 14th of June at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt.

Mansell had previously represented Northern Ireland in the tournament in 2012 and 2015 but changed his darts nationality recently, making him eligible to line out alongside Limerick man O’Connor and knock Meath man Keane Barry out of contention.

It looks set to be a cracking tournament with plenty of the game’s biggest stars on show.

World champion Luke Littler and world No 2 Luke Humphries will represent England, there is a notable absentee with Welsh star Gerwyn Price set to miss out. 

Price, 41, said at last week’s Premier League of Darts: “My focus is there, but health-wise I’m not in a great place at the moment.

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“But I’m battling on, searching for some results. Hopefully over the next weeks they will come and put me at ease.”

Elsewhere, the Dutch pair of Gian van Veen and Michael Van Gerwen look like they will go close, while Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney enter the tournament as defending champions after winning the title last year.

Unseeded Singapore will see the return of darts icon Paul Lim – who, at 71, became the oldest player to win a match at the World Darts Championship in December and is sure to be a big hit with the German crowd. 

Willie O’Connor Welcomes Mickey Mansell Ireland Switch

Speaking about the Mansell situation, Willie O’Connor said he had absolutely no issue with players from Northern Ireland opting to represent the Republic.

He’s always been Irish.

In Ireland in the Good Friday Agreement you can be seen as Irish, British, whatever you want.

O’Connor said Mickey Mansell had long made it clear where he stood on the matter.

Mickey’s always gone under the banner of Irish although he has played for Northern Ireland down the line, he’s always put himself forward that he’d like to play for the Republic.

I think Mickey changed his flag maybe four or five years ago now.

The Limerick man also said he would welcome other players making the same choice in future, including Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney.

The way I see it is it’s the Island of Ireland.

If Daryl and Josh want to represent the whole of Ireland then the best of luck to them.

I want the two best players representing the whole of Ireland and the best of luck.

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