Bradford darts ace Joe Cullen curses lost Blackpool chance

The 2022 Masters champion and Premier League finalist looked good in beating the likes of Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney on his way to the last-four in Blackpool, but missed some presentable chances in his 17-9 defeat to eventual winner ‘The Asp’.

Wyke native Cullen, known as ‘The Rockstar’, told the T&A: “I don’t think Nath did too great against me, he just did what he had to do.

“The game was there for the taking but I probably tried a bit too hard, and by the time I relaxed, I was too far behind.

“I thought Jonny Clayton would go on to win the final against Nath, but he ended up being a worthy winner.”

Joe Cullen paid for a sluggish start against Nathan Aspinall on Saturday night. (Image: Taylor Lanning/PDC.)

Cullen openly admitted before the tournament that he has not hit the heights of last year, but showed flashes of his best at the Winter Gardens last week.

Asked if the 13-11 tiebreak win over then-tournament favourite Price was particularly special, the Bradfordian said: “I think the manner of it, yes.

“At one point, it looked like I was going to win, then when I went 10-8 behind, it looked like his game.

“It’s hard being on that stage when you’re under the cosh, so I was proud of where I came from to win as it shows I’ve got it in my game.

“A lot of players can compete on their day, but when it comes down to bottle, some might not have much of it, so it was good for me to show that on a big stage.”

Cullen feels his game is starting to click again now, saying: “As I’ve said before, my head was up my a**e a bit at the start of the year, with not being picked for the Premier League, but it’s a cutthroat sport, with the standards that are set.

“If you sulk, you’ll get left behind, but I’ve snapped out of that, and in my last seven tournaments, I’ve got to three semi-finals and three quarter-finals.

“The consistency’s there now, I’ve had some big averages and blown people away.

“The work I’m putting in is paying off and that performance in Blackpool has given me confidence, it’s just a shame I’ve got the best part of a month off now (from competitive action) before the Players Championship returns in Germany.”

Joe Cullen has come close to tournament victories of late, but not quite got over the line. (Image: Taylor Lanning/PDC.)

The Wyke star has said in the past that the Matchplay in Blackpool at the Winter Gardens is one his favourite weeks of the year, and he reflected: “It was nice to be in Blackpool towards the end of the week, because when you’re watching the latter stages on TV, you feel a bit flat and wish you were there.

“I gave it all I could and it just didn’t materialise on the night in the semi-final.

“After beating Gerwyn, I felt I could win, especially after I backed that up with my performance against Daryl, so it was frustrating on Saturday night.

“I feel a bit flat at the minute, but as this week goes on, I’m sure I’ll find those positives to take from Blackpool.”