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‘A dream come true’ – Rock’s Premier League debutImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Rock, 24, is part of the Premier League line-up for the first time this yearByJana McCabeBBC Sport NI journalistPublished53 minutes agoComments
Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock reported he didn’t expect his first Premier League appearance to be as soon as it has been ahead of playing his first night in Belfast on Thursday.
Rock will take part in the fourth round of the Premier League at the SSE Arena and is still searching for his first victory of the tournament.
The 24-year-old will face Gian van Veen in the quarter-finals, who lost the Poland Darts Open against Luke Littler despite a nine-dart finish.
“Being in the Premier League is a dream come true from when I was a kid,” Rock told BBC Sport NI.
“I did say I would stand up on this stage when I won the Best Youth Player of the Year and Best Newcomer, but I didn’t expect it to be as soon as it is. I can’t wait to get up there.
“It has been fantastic and one of the best feelings I have ever had being in that back room knowing what I am here for.”
Rock has lost all his Premier League quarter-finals so far 6-2 after being defeated by Jonny Clayton in Newcastle, beaten by Michael van Gerwen in Antwerp and Luke Humphries knocking him out in Glasgow.
As a result, he is currently bottom of the Premier League table on zero points, alongside Stephen Bunting but that doesn’t concern him.
“I am playing OK, I haven’t started off the Premier League as I wanted to, but I have to build the bridge and go over it,” he continued.
“I think I have coped with it well, but obviously everyone I am playing has been playing better than me, so I just need to up the gear.
“The best eight players in the world are there for a reason and it is going to be tough to beat them so hopefully that Northern Irish crowd is going to get on my side and I can beat Van Veen.”
His opening opponent on Thursday night is also a Premier League newcomer.
Van Veen, 23, has had a breakthrough year, reaching the World Championship final in January after winning the European Championship in 2025, and is also a back-to-back World Youth Champion.
However, Rock added that he has “not one bit” of sympathy for Van Veen if he experiences a hostile response in Belfast.
“It happened to me when we played in Holland last year,” Rock reported.
“I would be surprised if he didn’t get booed, but I think he will get booed the whole game. Van Veen has coped with the crowds and I think he will be OK.
“It will be very, very loud. We haven’t had a Northern Irish player since 2019 [Daryl Gurney] so hopefully it’ll all come good.”
It has been an exciting start to the Premier League with three different winners so far.
Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton have won the opening nights of the 16-week league phase before the play-offs at the O2 Arena on 28 May.
“It is good to see different winners, but the Premier League is a lot different to majors,” he added.
“The first major of the year Luke Littler won it, shock. Who was in the final? Luke Humphries.
“When it comes to the ranking majors, it is hard to look past the two Lukes then everyone else when in the Premier League.”
You can follow live text commentary from night four of the Premier League on Thursday on the BBC Sport website and app.
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