Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Ronnie O'Sullivan: 'I don't just turn up willy-nilly to events, there's a tax to be paid'

'I'm aware of my value' - Rocket keeping options open

Ronnie O'Sullivan has warned he could quit playing tournaments in the UK after his quest for a record-breaking eighth world snooker title was shattered by Stuart Bingham in a major quarter-final upset at the Crucible.

Snooker • 02 May 24

Doherty urges Hearn to stick with the Crucible

Ken Doherty has urged snooker chiefs to think twice about tearing the World Championship away from the Crucible after the venue's current deal expires on its 50th anniversary in 2027.

Snooker • 26 Apr 24

Ronnie O'Sullivan is into the last 16 after pummelling Jackson Page

O'Sullivan makes short work of Page to reach last 16

Ronnie O'Sullivan required just 40 minutes on Thursday to seal his place in the second round of the World Snooker Championship with a 10-1 win over Jackson Page.

Snooker • 25 Apr 24

Ronnie O'Sullivan is just two frames away from victory over Jackson Page

O'Sullivan pummels Page in first session in Sheffield

Ronnie O'Sullivan roared out of the blocks in his quest to become the first eight-time world champion in the modern era as he built an 8-1 lead over Jackson Page in the first session of their first round match at the Crucible.

Snooker • 24 Apr 24

Luca Brecel defeated Mark Selby 18–15 in last year's final

Brecel under the weather ahead of World title defence

Defending champion Luca Brecel has been battling a mystery illness in the build-up to his return to the World Snooker Championship on Saturday.

Snooker • 19 Apr 24

Ronnie O'Sullivan speaks to the media at the Crucible on Friday

O'Sullivan: 'I don't know much about snooker'

Ronnie O'Sullivan has gone back to basics in his bid to eclipse Stephen Hendry and become the first eight-time world snooker champion in the modern era.

Snooker • 19 Apr 24

Ronnie O'Sullivan is attempting to become the fourth player to complete the Triple Crown in the same season

O'Sullivan to play Page in first round at the Crucible

History-chasing Ronnie O'Sullivan will start the World Snooker Championship against Jackson Page as reigning champion Luca Brecel faces David Gilbert.

Snooker • 18 Apr 24

Hawkins back at the Crucible with a point to prove

Barry Hawkins will return to the Crucible this year convinced he has proved a point to those who questioned whether he still had the hunger to pursue a second appearance in a World Snooker Championship final.

Snooker • 17 Apr 24

Mark Selby is through to the final of the World Snooker Championship

Selby leaves it late to overcome Allen at the Crucible

Four-time champion Mark Selby came through a late-night battle with Mark Allen to set up a World Snooker Championship final with Crucible history maker Luca Brecel.

Snooker • 30 Apr 23

Brecel completes greatest comeback in Crucible history

Luca Brecel produced the greatest ever Crucible comeback as he won 11 frames in a row against Si Jiahui to book his place in the World Snooker Championship final.

Snooker • 29 Apr 23

Mark Allen takes on 29-year-old Welsh qualifier Jak Jones for a place in the last four of the World Championships

Doherty: Rocket imperious, but Allen can go all the way

Ronnie O'Sullivan is in imperious form, but Mark Allen has the game to go all the way and win his first world title, according to 1997 champion Ken Doherty.

Snooker • 25 Apr 23

Hossein Vafaei proved no match for Ronnie O'Sullivan in Sheffield

Rocket humbles Vafaei at the Crucible

Ronnie O'Sullivan turned his so-called grudge match against Hossein Vafaei into a demolition job as he won their second round match at the World Snooker Championship 13-2 with a session to spare.

Snooker • 22 Apr 23

Higgins: "I was pleased with the way I was hitting the ball today"

'All-time great' Higgins eases into second round

John Higgins was pleased with his performance after thumping David Grace 10-3 to reach the second round of the World Snooker Championship for the 25th time.

Snooker • 18 Apr 23

Judd Trump won Monday's early session 6-2 to narrow the gap to three frames

Trump rallies to narrow Rocket's lead at Crucible

Ronnie O'Sullivan's quest for a record-equalling seventh Crucible title was under threat as Judd Trump won six of the eight frames of the penultimate session of the final to reduce the deficit to 14-11.

Snooker • 02 May 22

O'Sullivan and referee Olivier Marteel clashed several times during the one-sided final

Rocket leads final but receives formal warning

Ronnie O'Sullivan accused referee Olivier Marteel of "looking for trouble" after an angry exchange marred the opening day of the World Snooker Championship final against Judd Trump in Sheffield.

Snooker • 01 May 22

John Higgins displayed his famous fighting qualities to battle back against Jack Lisowski and advance to the semi-finals

Updated Class of 92 still achieving top marks 30 years on

John Higgins survived a final-frame decider against Jack Lisowski to book his place in the World Championship semi-finals and seal a historic achievement for the fabled 'Class of 92'.

Snooker • 27 Apr 22

Williams surges past protege Jackson Page at Worlds

Mark Williams surged into the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship with a session to spare after wrapping up a dominant 13-3 win over his fellow Welshman and protege Jackson Page.

Snooker • 22 Apr 22

"For the new generation (of British players) it's all about social media and money"

'They all seem so lazy' - Brecel slams young UK players

Luca Brecel has branded the latest generation of British snooker stars "lazy" and "impatient" as he prepares to begin his quest to take the world title home to continental Europe for the first time.

Snooker • 19 Apr 22

"We are aware of the incident and it has been referred to the WPBSA disciplinary committee," said a World Snooker Tour spokesperson

O'Sullivan could be fined over apparent lewd gesture

Ronnie O'Sullivan could be sanctioned after appearing to make a lewd gesture at the World Snooker Championship.

Snooker • 19 Apr 22

Brown is aiming to reach the Crucible for the second time

Jordan Brown into final qualifier for Crucible

Jordan Brown is one win away from a return to the Crucible after finally seeing off teenager Liam Davies at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Snooker • 10 Apr 22

Mark Selby and Stuart Bingham play to a finish from 2.30pm on Saturday afternoon

Selby warned over pedestrian play at the Crucible

Mark Selby was warned for slow play as Stuart Bingham won five frames in succession to wrest control of their World Snooker Championship semi-final at the Crucible.

Snooker • 01 May 21

O'Sullivan won his sixth world title last year

Rocket views bid for magnificent seven as 'anti-climax'

Ronnie O'Sullivan insists he could not care less about the prospect of equalling Stephen Hendry's record of seven Crucible crowns as he prepares to begin the defence of his world snooker title.

Snooker • 16 Apr 21

Bingham, who won the title in 2015, fired two 140 breaks in four frames en route to victory

Former world champion Bingham seals Crucible return

Former world champion Stuart Bingham booked his place back at the Crucible with a 10-5 win over Luca Brecel in the final qualifying round for this year's tournament in Sheffield.

Snooker • 14 Apr 21

Bingham closing in on place at the Crucible

Former world champion Stuart Bingham booked his place in the final qualifying round of this year's tournament with a 6-1 victory over China's Chen Zifan.

Snooker • 12 Apr 21

Emotional Wilson falls over the line in bizarre decider

Kyren Wilson won one of the most outlandish final-frame deciders that snooker fans have ever seen to see off Anthony McGill and secure his place in the final of the World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield.

Snooker • 14 Aug 20