Snooker: O'Brien gets rub of green at Waterfront
When an uncompromising tactician like Fergal O'Brien meets a dour campaigner such as Dave Harold never expect a classic but, in Belfast yesterday, the Irishman achieved the desired result -- a win, no matter how ugly.
O'Brien reached the last 32 of the Northern Ireland Trophy at the Waterfront Hall, the season's third world ranking event, with a no-frills, yet effective 5-1 victory.
"I played good, solid snooker and was in control of the match from the word go even though I didn't score too heavily," said O'Brien.
"At no point did I feel in danger of losing, and that's something positive against a player of Dave's experience and quality. The only reason I didn't put together any big breaks was the balls were constantly running scrappy."
Although not back to the outstanding form that saw him capture the 1999 British Open title and ascend to 9th in the world rankings a year later, O'Brien is enjoying a mini-revival. Despite managing only a single run of consequence, 62, he led 4-0. Harold avoided the whitewash but O'Brien recovered from an early 37 point deficit to snatch the sixth frame, and the match, on the green.
His reward, apart from the obvious ranking point boost, is a second round encounter with John Higgins, current world No1 and World Championship winner at the Crucible for the second time.
"Of course it will be tough, but matches in front of a packed audience in an arena like this, against players of John's calibre...that's what all the practice is about," added O'Brien.
While O'Brien remains north of the border, fellow Dubliner Michael Judge drove south after losing 5-2 in the opening round to Englishman Anthony Hamilton.
Ken Doherty, winner of Pot Black and the vcpoker.ie Irish Professional Championship this season but a group phase failure at the recent Grand Prix in Aberdeen, is targeting an extended run at a venue he regards as one of the finest on the entire professional circuit.
Doherty, 14th in the provisional world rankings and keen to allay any fears surrounding possible relegation from the elite top 16, opens against left-hander Mark King tonight.
- Phil Yates
