VETERAN John MaGowan is looking to roll back the years when he takes on Raymond van Barneveld in the Bodog.com World Grand Prix on Tuesday night.
The 69-year-old returns to compete for a fifth time at the Citywest Hotel when he faces the five-time World Champion as the first round continues on Tuesday.
MaGowan last took on van Barneveld on stage in the semi-finals of the 2006 UK Open, which remains his best display in a major championship.
"I didn't mind the draw too much," said MaGowan. "I don't care who I drew, I've just got to go on stage and play.
"I've played Raymond a lot of times and beaten him a couple of times - a long time ago, of course!
"The UK Open when I got to the semi-finals was a big thing for me and to play Raymond in Bolton was great.
"I know what he can do and I expect him to play well next week. I'll do my best and I'm practising well, and that's all I can do. I'm not expecting a lot but all I can do is compete and do my best."
That run to the semis in the UK Open came the year after MaGowan was a popular quarter-finalist in the World Grand Prix, defeating Alan Caves and Peter Manley to reach the last eight.
The quarter-finals clashed with his son's wedding, and the Citywest Hotel flew John and his wife Maggie to the celebrations before returning to face Dennis Smith that evening.
"I beat Peter Manley to get to the quarter-finals and then my son was getting married the next day, which was when I had to play Dennis Smith," he added.
"The Citywest Hotel were great and flew me there and back in their helicopter, but the day was draining and it was a long day. That week, and the one in Bolton, were the best times of my career."
MaGowan's wife Maggie passed away in May, with the 69-year-old having a month away from the circuit at the time before returning to compete, and he praised the support of fellow pro Brendan Dolan.
"It's been very hard," he admits. "You sit at home and see her picture on the wall and start thinking about her, and it will probably take me a while to get over it.
"I'm not playing as well as I was but I've also not been practising as much this year because of what's happened.
"When Maggie passed away in May I had no inclination to get up and practice but Brendan encouraged me to get back practising and playing, and I'm pleased I've qualified for the World Grand Prix.
"Brendan's been great. He lives on the other side of the country but he's been on the phone regularly and we'll share a room in Dublin.
"It was very nice that all the players applauded me when I came back in Barnsley in June too."
MaGowan also expects to have plenty of home support at the Citywest Hotel on Tuesday ngiht, although the Donaghadee favourite knows that van Barneveld also a popular figure in Ireland.
"The crowd will help me and I always look forward to it because I get good support down there," he said.
"Raymond does a lot of exhibitions in Ireland and he's very popular anyway, so it's a game the fans will want to watch.
"Two of the lads who play in my local team are Barney-mad and they keep telling me they don't know who they're going to support on the 5th - I hope it's me!"
While MaGowan is looking ahead to his 70th birthday, he will share a practice room with 60-year-old 'youngster' Dennis Priestley on Tuesday and may even pass on some tips about his longevity.
"Dennis is going well for 60 and he might be around as long as me!" said MaGowan. "I've got a board in my kitchen at home and I've got a gym in the shed now as well.
"I've used gyms for years, since I was a teenager, and it's good for me. You need to be fit and I'm still in the top 60 at 69 years old!
"There's a lot of good young lads coming through too as well though. Young Wes Newton is playing really well, and William O'Connor is a nice lad and a good young player too.
"Being in the PDC has been a big learning curve for him this year because there's no easy matches, and the young people coming through are realising that.
"I'm probably in my eighth year, and I just joined to see what it would be like, but I knew pretty quickly what I had to do and the young lads are learning that too now, but it's a brilliant move for them if they do go onto the PDC circuit."
Tickets for the Bodog.com World Grand Prix are still available on 0818 33 33 44 or from www.ticketgroup.ie, or in person at the Citywest Hotel Convention Centre ahead of each session.