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Darts - Helmsdale bricklayer looking forward to representing Scotland at British Internationals at Skegness in March





NICKY Denoon says he is looking for his best year representing Scotland after being called up again to play for the national darts team.

The Helmsdale bricklayer has been called into the 12-man Scotland squad which will compete in the British Internationals at Skegness in March.

It will be the third time that the 42-year-old has been selected to play for Scotland at the tournament having also played at it during 2023 and 2024.

He has gone on to establish himself as one of the top players in Scotland in recent years and represented his country across Europe.

He will also be joined in the squad by Derek Maclean from Inverness who is set to make his debut for Scotland.

Denoon says he is looking forward to stepping up to the oche for his country again and believes that his exposure of playing in international competition is improving him as a player.

He said: “This is my third year in-a-row being selected for Scotland to play at the British Internationals and I hope that it continues as well.

“I would like to think we have a chance of winning the competition as we have a good solid team.

“This year’s squad has a few new boys coming in. I would like to think we have a good chance of winning it.

“England have a good strong team but they always do.

“Last year was a tough experience at the British Internationals, I got beat despite playing with a 97 average. Hopefully with the experience of the last two years I am more confident playing at that level.

“It is always a nervous experience playing for your country, but I am calmer than I once was. But that just comes with playing games and gaining experience.”

Denoon represented Scotland at a number of tournaments last year, most notably at the Six Nations in Ireland where he got to the semi finals of the competition.

He was also called up for Scotland at the Europe Cup where he reached the last 16 of the tournament where he was beaten by eventual winner Dennie Olde Kalter from the Netherlands.

Denoon is hopeful the British Internationals is the first of a number of tournaments he plays for Scotland in 2025. But he says selection for other tournaments is dependent on how he plays in March.

He said: “Players are picked on how well they play at the British Internationals and then they cut down the squad from there.

“This is the first one of the year, then there is the Six Nations and then the World Cup later this year which I hope I will also be selected for.

“I want to play as many competitions for Scotland as I can this year and see where it goes from there.

“I am really enjoying playing for Scotland as there is not a lot to dislike about it.

“I really enjoy playing for Scotland in international competition as the standard is so good, but you have to be on it from the start in these games.”

Denoon has had success in national competitions during his career, which included winning a Scottish Tour title at Drumchapel last year.

He also plays for Portland A who are currently top of the Inverness Winter Darts League.

He was part of the Portland A quartet which won the Inverness Fours Championship at the Raigmore Motel last week.

Denoon is trying to balance his darts career with work commitments, but is targeting further success in darts this year.

He said: “I am busy with work but I will try and play as many competitions as I can.

“The Scottish Open is taking place in three weeks time so I will try and take part in that.”

Read: Dornoch Academy pupil aiming to be voice for golf in Highlands as she is selected for the Scottish Golf Young Leaders' Programme.


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