By:
Paul Kelly
Three Irish darts players have fallen in the latest PDC Live Order of Merit due to results at the 2026 World Darts Championship.
William O’Connor, Keane Barry and Dylan Slevin have all dropped at least one place in the world rankings.
Three Irish Darts Players Fall In PDC Live Order Of Merit
It hasn’t exactly been a World Darts Championship to remember for the Irish contingent.
Three players from the Emerald Isle headed to Alexandra Palace in London before Christmas as part of the 128 player field for the Worlds.
Steve Lennon fell at the first hurdle, losing in Round 1 to Damon Heta. There were wins for both William O’Connor and Keane Barry in the first round, but both were then eliminated in Round 2.
O’Connor recorded the highest average of the first round in his 3-0 victory over Krzysztof Kciuk, before losing in the last 64 to three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.
‘The Magpie’ suffered an eye injury against van Gerwen, which most definitely didn’t enhance his chances against the Dutchman.
William O'Connor delivers the best average of the tournament so far to set up a clash with Michael van Gerwen 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/sxFC2yJA2z
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 19, 2025
Barry was poor in his Round 2 defeat to Martin Schindler on the outer ring, meaning his race was also run at the last 64 stage.
Although he didn’t even qualify for the World Championship this year, Dylan Slevin has also dropped in the PDC Live Order of Merit.
This comes as no surprise given that several players ranked below him have had strong runs at Ally Pally, meaning Slevin has dropped 10 places already from 69th to 79th in the rankings.
As it stands, O’Connor has dropped from 42nd to 43rd and stands on £182,250 in prize money over the past two years. Barry has dropped two places to 57th, with £116,250 in prize money on the later Order of Merit.
As good as tonight’s was..
Nothing and I mean NOTHING will ever top the Willie O’Connor walk on from Dublin when he was a contender in the Premier League
UNREAL!!!! 🤩
— Josh (@joshpearson180) December 23, 2025
Steve Lennon Stays At World No.76 Despite Round 1 Exit At World Darts Championship
Prior to a dart being thrown at the 2026 World Darts Championship, Keane Barry was Ireland’s strongest hope of success. That turned out to be somewhat true, with he and William O’Connor both reaching Round 2 before being eliminated.
O’Connor was the more impressive of the two players, with former World Cup of Darts finalist Steve Lennon the most disappointing of the three with his Round 1 exit.
That being said, ‘Scuba Steve’ was up against it versus Damon Heta, who was one of the top seeds.
Despite falling at the first hurdle and being the first Irish darts player eliminated from the Worlds, Lennon is the only player who hasn’t actually dropped in the latest PDC Live Order of Merit.
So unlucky for Keane Barry so far this evening. Martin Schindler has been on fire. pic.twitter.com/7Jvf3o5PKv
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) December 21, 2025
The 32-year-old has remained at no.76 in the Order of Merit, with £68,250 in prize money to his name over the course of the past two years.
Depending on how the remainder of the World Darts Championship goes, Lennon could drop a few places. Should Charlie Manby or Justin Hood reach the quarter-finals, then the Carlow man would join his fellow Irish contingent and drop down the rankings.
As for today though, Lennon is the only Irish player with a PDC Tour Card that hasn’t dropped at least one place in the Order of Merit.
Another reason for this is obviously because he hasn’t enjoyed as much success as both O’Connor and Barry on the PDC Pro Tour over the past two years.
Both ‘The Magpie’ and ‘Dynamite’ have won well over £100,000 in prize money in two years, meaning they have more to defend each and every time they play in big tournaments.
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