Dubliners Michael Judge, Fergal O'Brien and Joe Delaney triumphed in their opening matches at the Kilkenny Irish Masters in the Ormonde Hotel.
Judge edged Northern Ireland's Gerard Greene 4-3, while O'Brien ended Englishman Stephen Lee's interest in this year's event, Greene was a 4-2 winner in that clash.
Delaney was a 4-2 winner over former World Championship runner-up Matthew Stevens.
England’s Barry Hawkins upset local favourite David Morris though. Requiring three snookers with the score deadlocked at 3-3, Hawkins battled back from 56-0 down to snatch a 4-3 win. It was his first win since he won a match at the Grand Prix over four months ago.
And Australia’s Neil Robertson a winning return to the table today with victory in his opening match.
Last month's Welsh Open champion eased to a 4-1 win over Stephen Lee. In his first match since pocketing £35,000 at the Newport Centre in February, the Aussie ace showed no signs that his fine form has disappeared.
Judge later went down 4-0 to Scottish former World Champion John Higgins.
