Katie Sheldon - nicknamed 'The Dublin Diamond' - is a pioneer of women's darts in Ireland at the tender age of 22.

As one of the hottest prospects to come out of the Emerald Isle, Sheldon has already competed on the Women's Series and at the Women's World Matchplay held at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Currently working as a wire assembler, Sheldon has already become the World Masters girls' champion and a two-time WDF World Cup team winner.

"I keep saying that one goal of mine is to pick up a PDC title, so a Women's Series. And along with that, it's trying to qualify for the Women's World Matchplay," she told , having taken part in the Netflix 'Beat Luke Littler' challenge in which she was given the chance to win £501,000.

It wasn't to be for Sheldon over one leg against 'The Nuke', but she has bigger dreams of emulating brilliant Beau Greaves, who finished a dominant season on the PDC Women's Series by winning 17 out of 24 events.

The Doncaster thrower will be at the Grand Slam of Darts where she has been . She also secured her qualification for the world championship at Alexandra Palace alongside 'Beat Luke Littler' winner Fallon Sherrock, Gemma Hayter, 'The Lancashire Rose' Lisa Ashton, and Belgian-born Swedish darts player, Vicky Pruim.

'Beau 'n' Arrow' made history in April by becoming the first woman to win a PDC ranking title at Players Championship 11 in Milton Keynes, defeating three former world champions, Rob Cross, Gary Anderson and Michael Smith.

She has risen to 75th in the PDC Order of Merit with the youngster closing in on the world's top 64, an achievement that would have ramifications for her future in the Women's Series with female players who break into the top 64 globally and hold a Tour Card restricted from playing in the Women's Series.

"She's really a great talent, and she's pushed us all," said Sheldon. "I think her being there has actually brought the standard up.

"Her being there has been a massive help to all of the women to progress their game, but I think it would be a sad loss to the Women's Series when she's gone."

The Littler effect in Ireland

The success of two-time back-to-back world champion Littler has played a huge part in the surge of youth academies - not least in Ireland where Sheldon has seen a surge in interest.

She explained: "I think Luke has given everyone that [interest]. I think a lot of people have started picking up darts, but mainly youths.

"When I played youth darts in youth academies, there wasn't that many of us, a couple of lads, but the numbers are just through the roof now.

"We have a Dublin academy, and I think at the team event, there was 183 kids there at the weekend, just playing darts for their local teams and clubs, which is amazing for the sport.

"It's great to see the growth, and I think a lot of that is down to what Luke's done."

'People probably don't know what they're witnessing'

Despite his success, Littler has threatened to boycott certain tournaments after being - not least in the Netherlands and Germany.

Sheldon accepts "it's a hard one to take" for players as well as Littler, himself.

She said: "When he first came on the scene, everyone was bigging him up and it was great, but then you're turning up to tournaments and people are booing him.

"People probably don't know what they're witnessing at the minute. The standard of darts is just crazy.

"I think if you are a fan, you should be going there to enjoy it. Don't get me wrong, everyone loves singing the songs, but I think there should be just that level of respect for the players when they're playing because at the end of the day, this is their livelihood as well.

"They want to be trying to perform the best for the fans, and they probably can't do that with all the boos.

"It's one of those things he has to deal with, which is kind of sad to see."

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