TEAM HOPE TO HOLD ACES AGAINST

FINTAN SAYS: “Despite having won big in other tournaments, this one feels a bit different.

“The opportunity to play in such a fascinating event has really piqued my interest – it’s completely different even to anything I’ve been involved in.

“The $1million added for first place is unheard of. I don’t play the big high roller tournaments and there are about 200 to 250 players in the world who do play those big events on a regular basis, so to have the chance, me and lots of other recreational players to sit with them, it’ll give the tournament a great, and unique vibe.

“My top inspiration for poker success and everything else is family. Myself and my wife Fiona were hoping to organise a family trip to the Bahamas in January but it’s not going to happen, so it will just be me.

“We have five children, ranging in age from 22 to four and while they all get behind their dad, two of them are particularly avid followers. My second eldest, Charlie, 21, is a real maths mind and loves poker and his dad playing the big events, while myself and our daughter Sinead, 12, play casual heads up poker rounds for fun.” ALEX SAYS: “I just fell short of #119 finishing fourth to Andrew Grimason. This set a fire in my belly, and I set course for PokerStars Festival Marbella.

“The determination paid off and six days later I was standing proudly in front of the PSPC backdrop holding his own PSPC Pass.

“There were four left and myself and the eventual winner Andrew Grimason had the shortest stack. When I heard that Andrew won, I felt sick to the stomach. FLUSH WITH SUCCESS Team Ireland stars

ANDREW SAYS: