IRISH darts star Niall Culleton says he is in confident form as he aims to become just the second man to win the ADC Global Championships in Portsmouth today.
Culleton is looking to follow in the footsteps of Devon Peterson by claiming the ADC Global Championships crown alongside the £60,000 first prize.
The Carlow man has been in sensational form in the competition so far, topping his group in the first two stages to make into the finals days at the Modus Live Lounge in Portsmouth.
Culleton will play in the opening quarter final game against England's Johnny Haines at 1pm today, as he looks to pull off one of the biggest wins of his career.
Speaking ahead of today's action, he told Darts In Ireland: "The advantage to playing in the first match is that you know exactly when you are on and you are not sitting about waiting for your game.
"Johnny will be a tough game, as they all will be at this stage, but I am confident in my own form and feel like everything in my own game is falling into place.
"I've kept active over the past couple of weeks in Ireland, playing in tournaments and events almost every day bar Christmas Day and New Year's Day, so I am happy with my preparation and have just been concentrating on my own game and keeping things right in my head."
Culleton, who qualified for the ADC Global Championships by finishing in the top two in the the Winmau Championship Tour in Ireland, has been one of there form players in the tournament so far.
He topped Group 8 in the opening stages back in December, and then followed that up by claiming a spot in finals day by topping his stage two group that also included fellow Irishman Dean Gallagher and Dutch brothers Danny and Wesley Van Trijp.
Niall said: "I knew going over back in December that I was playing well so I was a delighted to show that by topping my group in the first stage.
"With only one player to qualify from the group in the second stage, I knew I needed to get off to a fast start and then maintain that throughout the group, as there wasn't much room for error.
"We all know what a great player Dean Gallagher is and the two Van Trijp brothers are very good players too, but thankfully I got off to a good start in that group and kept the momentum going."
Culleton even managed to pull off a world class 112 average in a victory over Danny Van Trijp in that group.
"Well Danny had done that amazing 120 average in a Modus final against Dean Finn so it was nice to get one back for Ireland," he quipped.
On a serious note, Niall says it that type of forms that shows he is well capable of winning the ADC Global Championships.
"I am here to win that trophy now," he said.
If Culleton does win today he won't have too much time to rest on his laurels as he will immediately embark on a three-hour road journey to Milton Keynes to be ready for the first day of PDC Q School tomorrow.
"Yeah I will be heading straight for Milton Keynes afterwards," he said.
"Playing here today is also brilliant preparation ahead of Q School this week when hopefully I can have a good crack at getting a tour card.
"It's great to be going into Q School in good form and feeling confident.
"I feel as though the only person who can stop me is myself so I just have to stay in the right frame off mind and prepare well for the games.
"It's so nice to have these two big things to aim for this week as it makes all the years of practising and playing at events worthwhile."
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