Target Irish Youth Development Officer.

  In 2026, John joined Team Target as Youth Development Officer (Ireland), working alongside Sean Casey-Poole and Lorraine Winstanley to grow the Irish academy programme, support Elite 1 players, and help develop the next generation of darts talent. He also continues coaching and mentoring with the PDC/PDPA.

John O'Shea, a seasoned professional darts player, has dedicated over 34 years to the sport, accumulating an impressive array of titles both at home and abroad. Over his career, he has won more than 100 national titles, including the Irish Masters in 2015 and 2018, and represented Ireland at the European Cup, securing a WDF Bronze Medal in 2018.

Known as "The Joker", representing Ireland has always been a dream, and wearing his country's colours remains one of his proudest achievements. Despite battling dartitis for over five years, John continued competing at the highest level, returning to form to claim numerous major victories.

He reached the Last 8 of the World Masters in 2016 and made history in 2019 as the first Irishman to win a televised major, lifting the World Masters title at the Circus Tavern. He has also played on some of darts' most iconic stages, including Alexandra Palace, Lakeside, and the O2 London, and earned his professional tour card in 2021.

The Joker Darts Academy is a Target Elite 1 affiliated Academy. Target built their Elite 1 programme so they can discover the next generation of pro dart players. Target aim to work with new young players and help them, alongside their management/ affiliated Academies, to develop their skills to tour card level. Lorraine Winstanley is the head of Youth development in Target. Established in 2018, Target's Elite 1 mentoring programme has grown extensively by finding new talent who have won titles and are world champions in the youth games of the sport. 

https://bit.ly/4kYRqPP

Head Coach is Target Irish youth Development Officer and professional Player John O Shea who is PDPA/ 1st 4 sport Coach Certified with 30 years dart experience and the 2019 World Master. Pictured here with Women's Professional and World Master Lorraine Winstanley and Glen Durrant World Champion, World Master and Premier League Winner. 

Preparing young players for the future they want in darts.

About us

PDPA Professional Darts Coach run Academy.

The Joker darts academy is the first Irish darts academy coached by a professional PDPA/ 1st 4 sport certified Coach John O Shea. John has enjoyed a long career in both professional and amateur darts. John was the first Irish man to win a TV major in the modern era of darts when he became the 2019 World Master. John is still playing to a high competitive standard and is part of R&K Rab and Kim Bain darts management along with Rob Cross, Josh Rock and Scotty Williams. John is sponsored by and works closely with Target Darts. 

John having loved every aspect of the game for 30 years, decided to become an accredited PDPA Coach to ensure darts moves in the right direction for the modern sporting environment in Ireland as Darts rockets itself into the professional sports domain.  The Joker darts academy will teach and promote all aspects of the playing game, along with healthy living, nutrition, mental health and being a professional representative of the game under the PDPA and DRA guideline and rules. The academy is fully affiliated to the DRA and PDPA regulations and will have a zero tolerance on antisocial behaviour. The academy offers a professional environment for young children, young adults and the young at heart to learn darts as a hobby, pass time or future trade. 

Are you the next Luke Littler? 

(Image Created and Designed by Connor Pile)