Veteran John MaGowan hopes to roll back the years and beat Raymond van Barneveld in Tuesday's World Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports.
Veteran Irishman hoping to produce old form to beat Dutch star in Dublin
Veteran Irishman John MaGowan is looking to roll back the years when he takes on Raymond van Barneveld in the Bodog.com World Grand Prix on Tuesday night, live on
Sky Sports.
The 69-year-old returns to compete for a fifth time at the Citywest Hotel when he faces the five-time World Champion as the first round continues on Tuesday.
MaGowan last took on van Barneveld on stage in the semi-finals of the 2006 UK Open, which remains his best display in a major championship.
"I didn't mind the draw too much," said MaGowan. "I don't care who I drew, I've just got to go on stage and play. I've played Raymond a lot of times and beaten him a couple of times - a long time ago, of course!
"The UK Open when I got to the semi-finals was a big thing for me and to play Raymond in Bolton was great. I know what he can do and I expect him to play well next week. I'll do my best and I'm practising well, and that's all I can do. I'm not expecting a lot but all I can do is compete and do my best."
Support
MaGowan also expects to have plenty of home support at the Citywest Hotel on Tuesday ngiht, although the Donaghadee favourite knows that van Barneveld also a popular figure in Ireland.
"The crowd will help me and I always look forward to it because I get good support down there," he said. "Raymond does a lot of exhibitions in Ireland and he's very popular anyway, so it's a game the fans will want to watch.
"Two of the lads who play in my local team are Barney-mad and they keep telling me they don't know who they're going to support on the 5th - I hope it's me!"
While MaGowan is looking ahead to his 70th birthday, he will share a practice room with 60-year-old 'youngster' Dennis Priestley on Tuesday and may even pass on some tips about his longevity.
"Dennis is going well for 60 and he might be around as long as me!" said MaGowan. "I've got a board in my kitchen at home and I've got a gym in the shed now as well.
Gyms
"I've used gyms for years, since I was a teenager, and it's good for me. You need to be fit and I'm still in the top 60 at 69 years old!
"There's a lot of good young lads coming through too as well though. Young Wes Newton is playing really well, and William O'Connor is a nice lad and a good young player too.
"Being in the PDC has been a big learning curve for him this year because there's no easy matches, and the young people coming through are realising that.
"I'm probably in my eighth year, and I just joined to see what it would be like, but I knew pretty quickly what I had to do and the young lads are learning that too now, but it's a brilliant move for them if they do go onto the PDC circuit."
