17.5.09

KILLARNEY NOTES

Day one of the Sportingbet.com World Series of Snooker in Killarney saw progress for each of the established names, although a couple were given scares by the invited Irish teenagers.

While Shaun Murphy (a 5-0 winner over Greg Casey) and John Higgins (who beat Andrew Gray 5-1) advanced with ease, Ken Doherty and Jimmy White were made to fight.

Indeed, Doherty, who trailed Tony Moore 4-2, could count himself fortunate after missing the pink in the decider and fluking a snooker.

Moore made contact but left the pink on and a relieved Doherty slotted it home for victory.

White was all at sea when he trailed Jason Delaney 3-0. He was guilty of some sloppy shot selections but won a tight fourth frame and the match turned round.

White made a century – not straightforward with only ten reds – and pounced when Delaney missed the black for 4-3, the Whirlwind going on to win 5-3.

So the semi-finals will pit Higgins v Murphy (again!) and Doherty v White.

Bad luck to the youngsters. At times, they each showed signs of great potential but it’s such a huge step up from the junior ranks to playing live on TV in front of a big audience against one of snooker’s best known names. If they felt nervous it was understandable.

The atmosphere backstage here is very relaxed and it was good to see such a sizeable crowd in as pro snooker returns to Ireland, always a stronghold for the game.

And hats off to Shaun for his interview skills. He has an ease in front of the camera that seems innate.

Higgins has his wife and three children here and Ken also has his wife and young son with him.

As it usually is in Ireland, this is a chance for a break as well as an opportunity to win a title.

The last Irish Masters was four years ago and many on the circuit still miss it.

Hopefully, this event can grow into a genuine replacement.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Still on course for an all-Irish final. It will be good for the event and can only help generate interest in our sport if Murphy can play Doherty in front of their own supporters.

Anonymous said...

Since when is Murphy Irish? ;)
He was born in Harlow, lived in Rotherham for most of his life and now near Manchester. His nationality is English and he plays for England ...

Anonymous said...

nationality is english?????

Anonymous said...

@ anon 10:29 AM

An all-Scottish final between Higgins and White would also be nice, don't you think...? ;-)

cheers,
Eric

Sparky said...

The World Series web page isn't really what it should be... No results from the matches that are already played, and if you read the Forum section, they say that Ken and Shaun will meet in the SF's if they win their respecitve QF...

Chris said...

I think the WSOS website is good, a little annoying that there isn't any results other than the live match.

Jimmy's match with Jason Devaney was a really good match. Jimmy played so well to win.

Dave, it's Devaney, not Delaney as you said in your post.

Chris

Donal said...

Where can I watch the match (either TV or online)?

Anonymous said...

@ Donal:
The Doherty vs. White match currently runs on the "Eurosport Player" on the usual Eurosport website (though you have to pay to get access to the Player). It's now 2:1 to Doherty, by the way.

cheers,
Eric

Anonymous said...

Do you know who won the first semi final today Eric, or anybody?

Anonymous said...

jimmy played mince!!

Anonymous said...

Murphy-Higgins 5-3

Doherty-White 5-1

Anonymous said...

jimmy will never be back in the top 32 IMO

ken will be back in the top 16, but no higher than 12 IMO

Anonymous said...

hmm, now i see that doherty-white is not over, 3-4?

Someone that has eurosp player can give us any info, please?

mathsisfun said...

Jimmy White won 5-4 on a black ball in the last (I watched on a jittery Eurosport player). He had a highest break of 43 and a pot success rate of 81%. So it was far from quality snooker.

I have no idea who he plays in the final.

Doc said...

Anyone who wants to watch copy and paste this

http://www.justin.tv/coalhouse6


or


http://vidshe.com/livematch33.html

Anonymous said...

A tough choice for the crowd tonight. Do they cheer on local favourite Shaun Murphy or the people's champion Jimmy White? Either way snooker is the winner.

Anonymous said...

Why is Shaun Murphy the local favourite????????????????????????????????

Anonymous said...

English Amateur Champion Jimmy Robertson is Just 23. Not 24, for the record.

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