Snooker’s Northern Ireland Open has entered its final stages with a mouthwatering quarter-final line-up. Thursday saw a big shock as player of the season so far, Shaun Murphy, was dumped out 4-2 by home favourite Jordan Brown, setting up an all-Northern Irish showdown with friend Mark Allen.
Meanwhile, Jack Lisowski saw off Thepchaiya Un-Nooh by the same score to book a meeting with defending champion Kyren Wilson. In arguably the tie of the last eight, two of the game’s greats, Judd Trump and John Higgins, lock horns after beating Gary Wilson and Si Jiahui, respectively. The final quarter-finals sees Shootout champion Tom Ford face Zhou Yuelong, who received a third-round after Ali Carter withdrew for personal reasons. Ronnie O’Sullivan has not been in Belfast as he continues to carefully manage his schedule. The Rocket is due to return to action at the International Championship in China at the start of November. Express Sport brings you a round-up of the latest snooker news and views…
Maguire’s O’Sullivan regret
Stephen Maguire has admitted he regrets ‘p****** off’ O’Sullivan as his 13-year wait to beat the Rocket goes on. You have to go back to 2012 for the Scot’s last victory over the seven-time world champion.
He was given a fresh chance to buck that trend during the recent Xi’an Grand Prix in China, only for O’Sullivan to romp to a 5-0 victory before going out to Gary Wilson in the quarter-finals.
Maguire had only respect for O’Sullivan’s display, telling Metro: “Ronnie was unbelievable against me. He made me realise how far away I am. So I’ve been practising, just trying to get something.”
On his barren record against the Rocket, Maguire added: “He does it to me every time. I don’t know what I’ve done to p*** him off years and years ago because he is always top notch when I go on the table with him, he’s always on it. He’s good to watch.”
Wilson willing to take pay cut
Wilson has admitted he would accept reduced prize money if it meant the World Championship, which carries a £500k winner’s sum, stayed at the Crucible. The future of snooker’s showpiece event is in the balance, with the Sheffield venue’s hosting deal expiring in 2027.
Matchroom supremo Barry Hearn, who controls the World Snooker Tour (WST), is contemplating relocating the championship to a larger, more modern arena. There have been fears the tournament could be moved to Saudi Arabia, which now hosts two events, although that is thought to be unlikely.
While some players would be on board, Wilson wants to see it remain at a revamped Crucible. Speaking to TNT Sports at Northern Ireland Open, he said: “I would honestly rather have half the prize money and stay at the Crucible, that’s how much I enjoy it there. But I want the game to grow. I can see if it goes elsewhere, everybody else is going to have to up their game.
“I can see the benefits for the sport, but also I love having the family there, the crowds from the UK coming and supporting. In an ideal world, just make the Crucible bigger.”
Lisowski opens up on tragedy
Fan favourite Lisowski has admitted he returned to snooker too soon following the sudden death of his father. Jackpot, 34, was playing at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong in March when he heard of his dad’s passing.
He withdrew from the tournament to return home, but was back at the table for the World Championship qualifiers in April, losing to Zak Surety. Reflecting on the tragedy and his form at the Northern Ireland Open, he told TNT Sports: “It’s up and down.
“It feels different now. I didn’t have a lot of fight in me the first few months, but now I’m just able to play and I don’t feel like crying when I’m playing.
“I played like a month after my dad died, in the Worlds, and every frame I just felt so emotional. I wish I’d had longer off. But I kept going. Obviously, it doesn’t get easier, but you just get used to it.”