YOUNG SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR: JOSH McCARTHY

YOUNG darts star Josh McCarthy admitted winning the Advertiser’s Young Sportsman of the Year award was up there with the best feelings he has ever had.

The teenager picked up the award at the end of what was a superb year on the youth circuits of both the BDO and the PDC, which culminated in winning the English Masters Youth Singles title at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena in July.

Despite having been faultless all day as he surged to the final, McCarthy slipped to 2-0 down with opponent Nathan Street missing a shot at the bullseye for the match, but the England youth representative battled back and won the next three legs to take the title by the narrowest of margins.

McCarthy also performed well on the PDC Youth Tour throughout the year to qualify for the World Youth Championships later this month, and was proud to be voted as the town’s brightest young sportsman on Thursday night.

“It’s absolutely amazing, and probably one of the best feelings I’ve ever had, it’s up there with the best,” he said.

“For darts to be recognised as a sport, which we are, is great. We may not have to put as much physical energy in as other sports, but we have to work hard and put the hours in.

“Darts is growing and getting more and more exposure on the television, and it is great to get this award.

“I started the year by getting selected for England again, which was great, and then I started playing on the PDC Youth Tour which was a great experience. I missed a few rounds and thought I had missed out on the chance to be in the World Youth Championships, but fortunately I was able to sneak in.

“I won the Youth Masters too, which was a great thing to win, but I went into it having not very good expectations because I already lost in the men’s tournament.

“I think that helped me relax a lot, and that was very important for me in the end.

“At the start of the year I was quite low on confidence, but I owe a lot to Dennis Smith and Johnny Haines who really helped me out.”