Meath's Keane Barry was beaten by Jeff Smith in the first round of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Competing at the sport’s showpiece event for the second time, Barry missed 22 of 30 darts at double, while his Canadian opponent was more accurate when it mattered and progressed to a second-round meeting with England’s Chris Dobey.

Barry, known as Dynamite, hit a 180 as he won the opening leg but missed five darts to take the second before Smith took his chances to grab the first set 3-1.

The Duleek teenager had a shot to claim the second set, but missed the double on a 158 outshot, allowing Smith, known as the Silencer, to clean up 80 and put himself within three legs of the match. 

Barry claimed the third set 3-2 with a 14-dart fifth leg but Canada number one Smith, a former BDO World Championship finalist, held his nerve in the fourth, where Barry missed two set darts to bring it to a decider, and mopped up 25 to progress.

"I'm happy with that win tonight. When I got drawn against Keane I knew it would be a tough match and he put me under real pressure there," said Smith.

"It's been a fantastic year for me on the board, even with all the restrictions. Kudos to the PDC for putting the tournament on at all."

Barry, 18, earned his PDC tour card last September and will play on the professional circuit in 2021. 

Limerick's Willie O'Connor plays Niels Zonneveld from Holland tomorrow afternoon, with a second-round date with Derry's Daryl Gurney on Thursday up for grabs. 

World champion Peter Wright, who dressed up as The Grinch, saw off Steve West, who had beaten Amit Gilitwala of India in the night's opening game.

Snakebite, who said afterwards he thinks he has a broken rib, averaged 92.60 in a 3-1 win. 

"Cheer up everyone, it's Christmas!" Wright said on Sky Sports.

"Steve didn't play his game like he can.

"It is hard when you have already played, he has been here hours and hours before me in preparation for his game. I got away with it. I have got stuff to work on."

Meanwhile, Brazilian Diogo Portela burst into tears as he won his first game after four attempts at the event.

Taking on Steve Beaton, who was appearing at a record-breaking 30th consecutive World Championship, Portela, ranked 172 on the order of merit, won in straight sets.

Moments after hitting double nine to finish the job against an off-form Beaton, Braziliant started to cry tears of joy after getting over the line following, he revealed afterwards, a difficult year in his personal life.

The 32-year-old will play Glen Durrant in the second round.

Wednesday Afternoon Session (1200)

Ryan Joyce v Karel Sedlacek (R1)
Ross Smith v David Evans (R1)
William O'Connor v Niels Zonneveld (R1)
Chris Dobey v Jeff Smith (R2)

Evening Session (1800)

Max Hopp v Gordon Mathers (R1)
Callan Rydz v James Bailey (R1)
Adam Hunt v Lisa Ashton (R1)
Glen Durrant v Diogo Portela (R2)