Irish Professional Championship

Irish Professional Championship
Tournament information
Venue Red Cow Exhibition Centre
Location Dublin
Country Ireland
Established 1947
Format Non-ranking event
Final Year 2007
Final champion(s) Republic of Ireland Ken Doherty

The Irish Professional Championship was an invitational professional snooker tournament for mostly Irish and Northern Irish snooker players.

History

The Irish Professional Championship was first staged in 1947 in Northern Ireland, and Jackie Rea became the inaugural champion. After that the event was held on a challenge basis, with the champion choosing his challenger. Rea won the championship every year but one until 1972, when he was beaten 28–12 by Alex Higgins. Higgins could defend the title four times in a row, before losing the title to Dennis Taylor. Taylor defended the title in the following two years. During this time the tournament was only sponsored in 1978 by Benson & Hedges and in 1979 by Smithwicks Brewery.[1]

In 1982 the tournament was converted to a knock-out tournament. Eight players took part, and was sponsored by Smithwicks Brewery. Higgins and Taylor won nine titles between them, and their run of success in the championship was interrupted only by Jack McLaughlin, in 1988. After the 1983 event Smithwicks ended their sponsorship, and Strongbow took over for 1985 and 1986 and Matchroom for 1987. After the 1989 event the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association withdrew their backing to national championships in form of £1,000 per player, and the event was discontinued.[1]

In 1992 the event was revived with sponsorship by Murphy's, and for the first time, the event was held in Republic of Ireland. 34 players competed at the event. When Joe Swail and Jason Prince contested the 1992 final, it was the first time in over 20 years it featured neither Higgins or Taylor. It was held again in 1993, but was abandoned again. As of 2013 the event was organised last time between 2005 and 2007.[1]

Winners

[1]

Year Winner Runner-up Final score
1947–1951 Northern Ireland Jackie Rea various challenges n/a
1952 Republic of Ireland Jack Bates Northern Ireland Jackie Rea
1952–1971 Northern Ireland Jackie Rea various challenges
1972 Northern Ireland Alex Higgins Northern Ireland Jackie Rea 28–12
1978 Northern Ireland Alex Higgins Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor 21–7
1978 Northern Ireland Alex Higgins Republic of Ireland Patsy Fagan 21–13
1979 Northern Ireland Alex Higgins Republic of Ireland Patsy Fagan 21–12
1980 Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor Northern Ireland Alex Higgins 21–15
1981 Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor Republic of Ireland Patsy Fagan 22–21
1982 Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor Northern Ireland Alex Higgins 16–13
1983 Northern Ireland Alex Higgins Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor 16–11
1985 Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor Northern Ireland Alex Higgins 10–5
1986 Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor Northern Ireland Alex Higgins 10–7
1987 Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor Northern Ireland Joe O'Boye 9–2
1988 Northern Ireland Jack McLaughlin Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor 9–4
1989 Northern Ireland Alex Higgins Northern Ireland Jack McLaughlin 9–7
1992 Northern Ireland Joe Swail Northern Ireland Jason Prince 9–1
1993 Republic of Ireland Ken Doherty Republic of Ireland Stephen Murphy 9–2
2005[2] Northern Ireland Joe Swail Republic of Ireland Ken Doherty 9–7
2006[3] Republic of Ireland Ken Doherty Republic of Ireland Michael Judge 9–4
2007[4] Republic of Ireland Ken Doherty Republic of Ireland Fergal O'Brien 9–2

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Turner, Chris. "Irish Professional Championship". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  2. ↑ "2005 Irish Professional Championship". Global Snooker Centre. Archived from the original on 8 January 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  3. ↑ "2006 Irish Professional Championship". Global Snooker Centre. Archived from the original on 23 October 2006. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  4. ↑ "2007 VC Poker Irish Professional Championship". Global Snooker Centre. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2013.