Michael Smith taking off-Broadway approach to defence of PDC darts crown

From the outside it might not seem like the ideal preparation for a World Championship defence.

Michael Smith has just spent 11 nights touring Ireland and early on Monday morning the PDC champion took the early ferry and headed for home after a marathon exhibition circuit that wound its way around the country, taking in Tullamore, Waterford, Oranmore and Edenderry among other lesser known darts venues.

It's a tough gig, especially coming so close to the sport's showpiece event, which starts on Friday night but over the course of seven hours, Smith never once refuses any of the numerous requests for pictures and signatures.

The 33-year-old, who earlier this year fulfilled his darting destiny by defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-4 in a classic final at Alexandra Palace, chats with fans for Q&A session in O’Donoghue’s Bar in Edenderry, then takes a short break before taking on the cream of the crop from the local league.

Keith 'Oche Balboa’ O’Connor, Barry ‘The Monk’ Mooney, Johnny 'The Dagger' Downey and Martin ‘The Tonne Machine’ Kelly, some of the names who line up to take a swing at the king.

All fine throwers in their own right but it's as far from the bright lights of London as you can get.

"Being at home I do just normal throwing and checkouts but there's no better practice than match practice," Smith tells RTÉ Sport.

"It's getting me about, out of the house, it's exhibitions but I'm still playing games as I should. I'm focussing hard.

"I’ve not been messing about. Normally in exhibitions you give people chances or you start going for three doubles (for an outshot).

"I’ve done that a couple of times but I’m trying to go out in 12, 11, trying to hit a nine-darter, it’s hard but I’m focused."

Since winning his first world title,