Category: Snooker

New Zealand snooker icon Dene O’Kane has died at the age of 61.

The two-time World Snooker Championship quarter-finalist and former world No. 18 was a familiar face in the UK during snooker’s 1980s boom period and reached the last eight at the Crucible Theatre in 1987 and 1992.

He had been working in real estate since 2007, but recently played a number of matches on the seniors circuit alongside former world champions Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Cliff Thorburn and Dennis Taylor.

The 10-time New Zealand national champion also won two Australian Opens and three World Masters Championships as an amateur.

He came close to lifting a major professional event in 1989 when he led Mike Hallett 8-6 in the Hong Kong Open final before losing 9-8.

Former world No. 3 and Eurosport commentator Neal Foulds wrote on X: “I’m waking up to the awfully sad news of the passing of Dene O’Kane. One of the good guys.

“When he came over from NZ in 1980 for Junior Pot Black he was immediately different from the rest of us in a good way. Always had a touch of class about him. Rest in peace Deno.”

World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairman Jason Ferguson said: “Dene was a massive character. He was interesting, full of life and full of stories.

“When I joined the tour, he was a player up in the rankings that I had a great amount of respect for. I was fortunate to know him for a long time and kept in touch with him in his latter years. We have always shared a joke and a chat and I’m deeply saddened.

“The sport has lost a huge personality. I want to thank him for the time he spent with us and the contribution he made. Never underestimate how hard it must have been to move from New Zealand and make it in the professional ranks. That is a testament to the character of the man.”

Former world No. 2 Tony Knowles has not given up hope of returning to the main professional World Snooker Tour at the age of 68.

The popular Bolton player is registered to compete at Q School in Leicester next week where he has been drawn against Jack Borwick of Scotland in the first round.

Knowles – who reached his career-high ranking after reaching the 1985 World Championship semi-finals – would need to win six matches at the city’s Mattioli Arena with the best-of-seven frame encounters running between Tuesday May 21 until Sunday May 26 at qualifying event one.

He won two ranking events – the International Open in 1982 and the Professional Players Tournament a year later – but has not competed on the main circuit since 2001.

Knowles reached the last 32 of Q School in 2021 before losing 4-2 to Mark Lloyd.

A number of other players will bid to regain their tour cards at Q School, including 1995 world semi-finalist Andy Hicks, former Crucible qualifiers James Cahill and Mark Joyce, and two-time ranking event quarter-finalist Liam Highfield.

Four tour cards will be handed out before qualifying event two begins on Monday May 27 and runs until Saturday June 1 in Leicester with the same process providing four more tour cards.

There is also two Asia and Oceania qualifying events in Bangkok (22-27 May and May 28 until June 2) which will see four more tour cards on the line.

Mark King has provided an update on his situation after he was suspended from the professional World Snooker Tour last year amid a betting probe.

The statement from WST read: “WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson has today taken the decision to suspend Mark King from attending or competing on the World Snooker Tour with immediate effect.

“This follows an initial investigation of irregular betting patterns reported to the WPBSA on the match between Mark King and Joe Perry at the Welsh Open on 13th February 2023.

“The suspension will remain in place until the conclusion of the investigation or any subsequent charges that may or may not be brought.

“Mark King has the right to appeal this decision.”

The former world No. 11 took to social media over the weekend, saying he had attended a disciplinary hearing last week after a 14-month absence from the main circuit.

“Last week I was in London having my WPBSA disciplinary hearing after being suspended and spending 14 months in the dark,”

“OMG my legal team who represented me were absolutely unbelievable in every way and were also acting pro bono, which I can’t thank them enough for..the others who were on my side, you know who you are – thanks so much.

“Please do not ask about the case as I can’t speak about it until a decision is reached.”

Ken Doherty’s hope of claiming his maiden World Seniors Championship title will have to wait for another year after he lost 5-2 to an in-form Igor Figueiredo in Sunday’s final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

The popular Irishman was hoping to become the first player in history to complete a clean sweep of the sport’s world titles having won the professional, amateur and Under-21 titles in his storied 34-year career.

But Brazilian Figueiredo picked up from where he left off to claim the title for the first time having enjoyed dominant wins over defending champion Jimmy White (3-0) and Maltese speed merchant Tony Drago (4-1) in reaching the showpiece final.

Doherty made a blistering start to the match with a 100 break in the opening frame, but knocks of 72 and 93 saw the powerful Rio de Janeiro cueman recover to move 3-1 clear at the mid-session break.

Knocks of 50 and 56 saw Doherty keep the final alive by winning the sixth frame after his opponent edged a tight fifth frame to lead 4-1, but Figueiredo closed with an excellent 88 clearance to become the first major winner from South America in the final major of the 2023/24 snooker season.

“He just played fantastic,” said Doherty. “He finished it off on style. He deserved to win. He played much better than me today. I fell a bit short, but congratulations to Igor. He’s a great guy, and I just say well done.”

The win is worth at least £32,500 to the new champion, who earns £20,000 for the victory plus another guaranteed £12,500 as a qualifier for the elite Champion of Champions event in November.

“I feel over the moon. Every shot, I just want to control my emotion,” said Figueiredo, who was flanked by wife Camilla. “It’s so good for me. This is very special for me.

“My wife is very important to me. Supporting my life. She gives me a lot of support. Thank you God.”

First round (best of five frames)

• Stuart Watson 3-0 Tony Knowles
• Ken Doherty 3-1 Tyson Crinis
• James Wattana 3-2 Rodney Goggins
• Igor Figueiredo 3-1 Tessa Davidson
• Tony Drago 3-1 Michael Judge
• Jimmy White 3-2 Andrew Norman
• Dechawat Poomjaeng 3-1 Darren Morgan
• Barry Pinches 3-1 Joe Johnson

Quarter-finals (best of five frames)

• Jimmy White 0-3 Igor Figueiredo
• Stuart Watson 1-3 Tony Drago
• Dechawat Poomjaeng 2-3 Ken Doherty
• Barry Pinches 3-1 James Wattana

Semi-finals (best of seven frames)

• Igor Figueiredo 4-1 Tony Drago
• Ken Doherty 4-1 Barry Pinches

Final (best of nine frames)

• Igor Figueiredo 5-2 Ken Doherty

Ken Doherty’s hope of claiming his maiden World Seniors Championship title will have to wait for another year after he lost 5-2 to an in-form Igor Figueiredo in Sunday’s final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

The popular Irishman was hoping to become the first player in history to complete a clean sweep of the sport’s world titles having won the professional, amateur and Under-21 titles in his storied 34-year career.

But Brazilian Figueiredo picked up from where he left off to claim the title for the first time having enjoyed dominant wins over defending champion Jimmy White (3-0) and Maltese speed merchant Tony Drago (4-1) in reaching the showpiece final.

Doherty made a blistering start to the match with a 100 break in the opening frame, but knocks of 72 and 93 saw the powerful Rio de Janeiro cueman recover to move 3-1 clear at the mid-session break.

Knocks of 50 and 56 saw Doherty keep the final alive by winning the sixth frame after his opponent edged a tight fifth frame to lead 4-1, but Figueiredo closed with an excellent 88 clearance to become the first major winner from South America in the final major of the 2023/24 snooker season.

“He just played fantastic,” said Doherty. “He finished it off on style. He deserved to win. He played much better than me today. I fell a bit short, but congratulations to Igor. He’s a great guy, and I just say well done.”

The win is worth at least £32,500 to the new champion, who earns £20,000 for the victory plus another guaranteed £12,500 as a qualifier for the elite Champion of Champions event in November.

“I feel over the moon. Every shot, I just want to control my emotion,” said Figueiredo, who was flanked by wife Camilla. “It’s so good for me. This is very special for me.

“My wife is very important to me. Supporting my life. She gives me a lot of support. Thank you God.”

First round (best of five frames)

• Stuart Watson 3-0 Tony Knowles
• Ken Doherty 3-1 Tyson Crinis
• James Wattana 3-2 Rodney Goggins
• Igor Figueiredo 3-1 Tessa Davidson
• Tony Drago 3-1 Michael Judge
• Jimmy White 3-2 Andrew Norman
• Dechawat Poomjaeng 3-1 Darren Morgan
• Barry Pinches 3-1 Joe Johnson

Quarter-finals (best of five frames)

• Jimmy White 0-3 Igor Figueiredo
• Stuart Watson 1-3 Tony Drago
• Dechawat Poomjaeng 2-3 Ken Doherty
• Barry Pinches 3-1 James Wattana

Semi-finals (best of seven frames)

• Igor Figueiredo 4-1 Tony Drago
• Ken Doherty 4-1 Barry Pinches

Final (best of nine frames)

• Igor Figueiredo 5-2 Ken Doherty

Ken Doherty lifted the World Championship in 1997 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, and has the chance to emulate that historic victory in the World Seniors event on Sunday.

Evergreen Irishman Doherty dropped only one frame in a dominant 4-1 semi-final win over Barry Pinches to secure a final showdown with Brazil’s Igor Figueiredo, who followed up his 3-0 whitewash of defending champion Jimmy White in the quarter-finals with an impressive 4-1 victory against Malta’s Tony Drago.

Doherty lost 5-4 to White in the 2020 final after leading 4-0, but is looking for an improved outcome as he chases his first World Seniors crown this time.

“I got off to a good start by winning that black-ball game and I’m thrilled to bits to get through to the final,” said Doherty, who completed an 18-12 win over Stephen Hendry in the 1997 world final.

“It was a really tough match, and I’m a bit jaded, but just so excited about tomorrow and the final against Igor Figueiredo.

“I’m not going to count any chickens, I’m just going to go out and play my best and give it all I can. I definitely want to win this tournament, it’s one I want to tick off my list, but I have a very tough opponent in front of me.”

Drago restored parity at 1-1 with a 69 break, but Figueiredo rolled in 57, 110 and 119 to book his spot in Sunday’s best-of-nine final in Sheffield with the victor collecting the trophy and a £20,000 winner’s cheque.

The showpiece match gets underway at 12pm UK time at the Crucible.

First round (best of five frames)

• Stuart Watson 3-0 Tony Knowles
• Ken Doherty 3-1 Tyson Crinis
• James Wattana 3-2 Rodney Goggins
• Igor Figueiredo 3-1 Tessa Davidson
• Tony Drago 3-1 Michael Judge
• Jimmy White 3-2 Andrew Norman
• Dechawat Poomjaeng 3-1 Darren Morgan
• Barry Pinches 3-1 Joe Johnson

Quarter-finals (best of five frames)

• Jimmy White 0-3 Igor Figueiredo
• Stuart Watson 1-3 Tony Drago
• Dechawat Poomjaeng 2-3 Ken Doherty
• Barry Pinches 3-1 James Wattana

Semi-finals (best of seven frames)

• Igor Figueiredo 4-1 Tony Drago
• Ken Doherty 4-1 Barry Pinches

Final (best of nine frames)

• Igor Figueiredo v Ken Doherty

Ken Doherty booked his place in the semi-finals of the World Seniors Championship with a 3-2 win over Dechawat Poomjaeng, but defending champion Jimmy White crashed out after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Igor Figueiredo at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

1997 world champion Doherty produced closing breaks of 50 and 70 to secure a last-four meeting with Barry Pinches, who completed a 3-1 win over James Wattana in the final quarter-final match on Friday night.

White’s hopes of a fifth seniors title were wiped out for another year with Brazil’s Figueiredo easing into a meeting with Maltese favourite Tony Drago.

Drago produced a 91 break in a 3-1 win over Stuart Watson to continue his quest for a first seniors crown.

First round (best of five frames)

• Stuart Watson 3-0 Tony Knowles
• Ken Doherty 3-1 Tyson Crinis
• James Wattana 3-2 Rodney Goggins
• Igor Figueiredo 3-1 Tessa Davidson
• Tony Drago 3-1 Michael Judge
• Jimmy White 3-2 Andrew Norman
• Dechawat Poomjaeng 3-1 Darren Morgan
• Barry Pinches 3-1 Joe Johnson

Quarter-finals (best of five frames)

• Jimmy White 0-3 Igor Figueiredo
• Stuart Watson 1-3 Tony Drago
• Dechawat Poomjaeng 2-3 Ken Doherty
• Barry Pinches 3-1 James Wattana

Semi-finals (best of seven frames)

• Igor Figueiredo v Tony Drago 12pm
• Ken Doherty v Barry Pinches 3pm