IRISH KINGS OF THE BAIZE
ALEX HIGGINS
A two-time world champion, and runnerup on two other occasions, ‘the Hurricane’ is arguably the most iconic figure in the sport. His flamboyance and extraordinary imagination when it came to shot-making is widely credited as being the spark with which the game becoming so popular in the 1980s. Known as the ‘people’s champion’, Higgins (right) had a reputation as a difficult character and was suspended from the game for 12 months after assaulting a tournament official. First diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998, he passed away in 2010.
DENNIS TAYLOR
Will always be known for ‘the black-ball final’ when he came from 8-0 down to claim his only world title by beating Steve Davis on the final ball in 1985. A popular figure, the Tyrone man was known for his trademark upside-down glasses and easy humour. Now commentates for BBC
KEN DOHERTY
The story goes that when Doherty (left) was on his way to becoming world champion on a Monday evening in May 1997, there was no crime reported in the capital because everyone was watching the ‘crafty Dubliner’ beat Stephen Hendry. A former world amateur champion, he came close to a second world crown in 2003, just falling short against Mark Williams. Now a respected pundit and analyst.
MARK ALLEN
Turned professional after winning the world amateur title in 2004, Allen has won five ranking titles in his career, including the 2018 Masters at Alexandra Palace. His best result at the Crucible has been as a semi-finalist, but he remains one of the most consistent players on the circuit and was ranked as high as fourth in the world last year
PATSY FAGAN
Regarded as one of the most exciting players to appear on the snooker scene in the mid-1970s, the Dubliner reached the quarter-finals of the 1979 world championships, as well as the semi-finals of the 1986 Irish Masters at Goffs. He fell out of professional game in 1989, but has coached players in London and worked briefly with Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2011. Competed in the recent world senior championship at the Crucible, losing 3-0 to Stephen Hendry.
JOE SWAIL
The Belfast native reached the semi-finals at two consecutive world championships in 2000 and 2001 and was Irish champion twice as well as a runner-up in the 2009 Welsh Open. Swail retired from the professional game in 2019 after falling off the main tour
FERGAL O’BRIEN
A member of the main tour since turning professional in 1991, O’Brien’s highest ranking was nine in 2001. He has won one ranking title – the 1999 British Open – and reached the 2001 Masters final. He became the first player to hit a century in his first frame on his Crucible debut although he lost the 1994 first round match to Alan McManus
EUGENE HUGHES
Part of the Ireland team, along with Higgins and Taylor, who won three World Cups in a row in the mid-1980s. The Carlow native reached semi-finals of ranking events twice in his career and three times qualified for the Crucible.