Eddie rises to the challenge of his own ambitions

Published on 9 March 2026 at 19:25

IN sport, it's always good to set yourself a goal.

For Mayo's teenage darts sensation. Eddie Sweeney, making it onto an Ireland international boys team this year was very much his ambition.

The talented 15-year-old has now given himself a good fighting chance of making that happen after winning the INDO Inter Counties Boys singles championships in Galway over the weekend.

The crucial ranking points gleaned from such a brilliant achievement means Eddie now sits joint-third in the race for the four spots for the Irish boys team for this year's WDF Youth Europe Cup.

With three ranking events to go, Eddie is confident he can maintain, or even better, his current position, but he is taking nothing for granted.

The modest star's wise words to Darts In Ireland after winning the Inter Counties singles show he has a wise head on young shoulders.

Speaking of how he approaches each game, Eddie said: "I don't put pressure on myself, I just go in and play the board.

"Whatever my opponent does, they do, but I don't even look at their scores."

On his chances of now making the Ireland team, he says: "I'm confident but we'll see how it goes.

"I'll just throw my darts. I know it's kind of hard to get on the Ireland team but I'll just try to enjoy the games and do my best.

"I'll just do my best in these final three events and hope that's enough. I'm not saying I'm going to do well but sure I'll give it a crack anyway."

Eddie's confidence coupled with his endearing laidback manner is also how he speaks about his victory in the Inter Counties singles.

He told Darts In Ireland he was so sure he could win it that he predicted so on his way to the tournament beforehand.

"I said to my father on the way down, 'you know something dad, I am winning this'," Eddie recalls.

"I was fully confident and then after the first game that boosted my confidence altogether."

But when asked if he felt any pressure the closer he got to the final, Eddie replied: "I was just there chilling, enjoying it and winning."

It's the sort of carefree answer that hides Eddie's burning ambition to go far in the game.

He admitted to Darts In Ireland that he hopes to eke out a professional career in the game one day.

All the evidence so far suggests he could be on course to meet that challenge too.

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