Dubliner Michael Judge just fell short in his bid to make an incredible return to the Crucible as he lost to England's James Cahill 10-6 in the final round of the World Championships qualifiers on Wednesday afternoon.
Judge was attempting to make history by becoming the first amateur ever to make the tournament proper.
That honour now falls to Cahill, who held his nerve in a cagey 16th frame to close out the win at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
Cahill, 23, comes from good stock - his mother Maria plays on the women's circuit.
It's the climax of a heroic showing by 44-year-old Judge, who last appeared at the Crucible back in 2008. In 2011 he dropped off the tour and has endured a tough spell in the wilderness in recent years.
He only got into the qualifiers due to Zhang Jiankang's late withdrawal but Judge took his chance with both hands, beating Peter Lines and then Xiao Guodong to set up a showdown with Cahill.
Ultimately, he ran out of gas but this will go down as a welcome lift for the Irishman.
Cahill claimed a famous win over then world number one Mark Selby in the first round of the UK Championships last November.
He told worldsnooker.com: "Playing at the Crucible is what I've dreamed of since I was a kid so to come through that match is a massive stepping-stone.
"I've relished playing against the big names and on the big occasions in the past so hopefully that'll stand me in good stead."
