Sheldon a class act in every way

Published on 12 August 2025 at 21:55

SHE had only just been crowned the INDO Irish Ladies Matchplay champion for the second year in succession, yet Katie Sheldon was more interested in speaking about her fellow players' achievements.

Sheldon used her victory speech in the Sheartwater Hotel in Ballinasloe last month to praise Robyn Byrne and Rebecca Allen ahead of their appearance at the PDC World Matchplay in Blackpool.

With a microphone shoved into one hand and her INDO Matchplay trophy in the other, Katie said: "I just want to wish Robyn the very best of luck at the World Matchplay as it was a great achievement to get there."

She then added: "I'd also like to wish Rebecca Allen the very best in the JDC Girls Series final, bring it home."

And that was it from the modest star, who didn't speak about herself once, despite it actually being her who was the winner that weekend.

It's typical of a young woman, who, while ultra competitive on the oche, is always mindful and respectful of her fellow players off it.

Earlier on the same day, Sheldon had sat down with Darts In Ireland for an interview with our new podcast.

It was noticeable during the chat just how positive she was about how the ladies game was growing and her hopes that it will prosper into the future.

There were no gripes or groans....just an upbeat and honest assessment of where the ladies game is at on a global scale and how it can improve even further.

And of course there was plenty of praise for Robyn Byrne for all the help and friendship she has given her throughout her career so far, even if the pair regularly have to square off against one another in big INDO ranking finals.

There were some quotes of note came near the end of the whole interview, when Katie gleefully praised the rise in standards in the ladies game in Ireland.

"With the women at the minute, everyone is just pushing each other to try and get a win, " she said.

"It's great as you  don't want to go into a tournament where's there's nobody there or only one or two who can win it. When you have a catalogue of women who could win it, that makes it exciting as well."

In a sport where it can be easy to think only of yourself, it's so refreshing to see a player who sees the bigger picture.

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