Snooker: Rocket hits back to rock Doherty
Ken Doherty's hopes of lifting the Northern Ireland Trophy perished in the face of a timely burst of brilliance from Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast last night, WRITES Phil Yates
O'Sullivan, back in the competitive arena for the first time since he captured his third world title at the Crucible in May, made a winning start to the season with a gripping 5-4 victory.
But when Doherty led 4-2, the Dubliner looked set to end a sequence of five consecutive defeats against O'Sullivan, an opponent he has not defeated since the 2001 Champions Cup.
However, presented with the initial chance in frame seven, Doherty wobbled a mid-range red in the jaws of a top corner pocket, O'Sullivan stepped in with an 83 break and, rhythm restored, sprinted through the closing two frames aided by runs of 74 and 92.
O'Sullivan also compiled a 110 break in the second frame and remained patient to steal a 47 minute third on the brown to move 2-1 ahead before Doherty secured the following three.
Doherty, in need of every ranking point he can muster after slipping to world No 18 and out of snooker's elite top 16 for the first time in 15 years, seized command at 4-2 with contributions of 75, 65 and 47 only to fall short of applying the killer blow.
O'Sullivan goes forward to meet fellow Englishman Joe Perry in the last 16 today, while Doherty returns to practice for the Shanghai Masters qualifying competition at Pontin's, Prestatyn next week.
Montenegro too
strong for Irish
BASKETBALL: Ireland's Senior Women suffered a 68-56 loss away to Montenegro in their opening European qualifying clash last night.
Ireland travelled to Montenegro with a strong squad boosted by the return of Forward Susan Moran, Michelle Aspell of Waterford Wildcats, DCU Mercy's Mary Fox and Forward Caroline Burgess.
However, the first quarter highlighted the strength of Montenegro as they held a 14- point advantage heading into the second quarter (10-24).
Aishling Sullivan got the Irish off to a flier at the beginning of the second quarter but the 'Girls in Green' still trailed 33-22 at the break.
Montenegro started brightly in the third quarter and extended their lead to 39-24. However, Ireland enjoyed a blistering end to the quarter with Michelle Aspell, Sullivan and Moran providing baskets, before Bjelica converted a jump shot to leave 15 points (40-55) between the sides entering the final quarter and this proved enough for victory.
In the end this lead proved Ireland's next outing is at home to Slovenia at the University of Limerick on Saturday.
