Back for the black
Hendry returns to action, 35 years after his debut
Fellow veteran on the return of Stephen Hendry to top-flight snooker today, 35 years after his pro debut
Sixteen-year-old Stephen Hendry stepped out for his first-round match at the Mercantile Credit Classic in Warrington in 1986 with the doubts of his fellow professionals ringing in his ears.
Hendry had been hammered 9-2 on his debut at the UK Championship the previous year by Indian amateur Omprakesh Agrawal, and prospective opponents were relishing the prospect of facing the inexperienced Scot.
Thirty-five years, seven world titles, 775 century breaks and nearly £9 million in prize money later, the 52-year-old could be forgiven for feeling a sense of deja vu as he prepares to launch his improbable comeback against Matthew Selt at the Gibraltar Open tohenrday.
Expectations for Hendry’s first tour match since his crushing 2012 world quarter-final defeat to Stephen Maguire are not high, with many convinced the strength in depth of today’s tour will leave the game’s most dominant player experiencing little more than embarrassment.
But those who faced Hendry at the Spectrum Arena in what effectively constituted his first main draw appearance on the professional ranking tour can still recall how swiftly he shattered those initial preconceptions with his sheer ability and determination.
In his opening match, Hendry faced a 46-year-old Dubliner called Dessie Sheehan, who had hovered around the lower reaches of the world’s top hundred. Sheehan, now 71, recalled: “We were playing together at the Pontins Pro-am and his dad drove us down to the Classic, where we happened to draw each other in the opening round.
“Straight away, you could tell he was a fantastic prospect. I played against all the greats – Alex Higgins and Steve Davis, and I practised with Ronnie (O’sullivan) – and you could just tell they were going to be world champions.
“Stephen was the same. He had superb cue ball control and was a fearsome potter. But, when I heard he was making a comeback, I thought it was an April Fool. It’s a lot harder now and he’s going to find it tough.”
Hendry beat Sheehan 5-2, thrashed Graham Miles 5-1, then edged the previous year’s British Open winner Silvino Francisco 5-4 to reach the last 32. His next opponent was Neal Foulds, five years older than Hendry.
“I had heard a little bit about Stephen but everyone assumed he had turned pro too early,” said Foulds, who will commentate on Hendry’s comeback for Eurosport. “I went in front but, all of a sudden, he had a little spell where he was knocking in nearly everything. He had a very flashy cue action. It went to a decider and I made one of the best breaks I’ve ever made to win the match. He had a real swagger about him. He was immaculately dressed and he didn’t speak to anyone. He’d look you up and down and he wouldn’t say a word. There was a determination and a ruthlessness about him that I haven’t forgotten.” The pair would go on to play 15 times in their respective careers but that match in Warringtonremainedtheonly one Foulds ever won.
“I think it’s great to see Stephen come back,” added Foulds. “Of course, the tour has changed and it is going to be difficult for him. But I wouldn’t put anything beyond him, because I know from experience he’s got a very strong mind.”
Scotland look set to be without key player Jade Konkel for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations rugby tournament after she stepped back from the sport to begin her training with the London Fire Brigade.
In 2016 Konkel, the 27-yearold number eight, originally from the Black Isle, became the first ever female professional rugby player in the country.
Since then, the former Hillhead/jordanhill player has starred in French club rugby and for Harlequins in England, as well as amassing 44 Scotland caps.
But yesterday she announced: “I’ll be taking some time away from rugby,” which means she is set to miss the Six Nations which takes place next month.
It is unclear currently how long she will be away from the sport – but there must also be a big question mark over her involvement in the World Cup qualifiers, which are set to take place in the coming months against Ireland, Italy and Spain.
The World Cup itself is due to start in mid-september in New Zealand.
“I’m extremely excited to say that I’ll be starting my firefighter training with the London Fire Brigade,” Konkel said on social media.
“I’m really looking forward to an exciting future ahead but it does mean that I’ll be taking some time away from rugby – though not from cheering on my mates from the sidelines. I’m very fortunate to have something (rugby) that makes saying ‘see you soon’ so hard.
"I’ve made some difficult decisions over the last few months, however, and this is an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I’m not hanging the boots up yet. I’ll be seeing you on the other side.”
Scotland’s Six Nations campaign is due to start away to England on April 3 and, in a two pool-style event, they then host Italy on April 17.
Scotland Women’s head coach Bryan Easson will now be looking to other back-row players to step up to the mark to fill the void left by Konkel.
A Scottish Rugby statement said: “We wish Jade all the best with her London Fire Brigade training and we look forward to her return to rugby.”