Ken Doherty says he can still compete at the top level of the World Snooker Tour, but the former world champion admits he must find some form this season.
He lost his qualifier for the Northern Ireland Open 4-0 to Kyren Wilson in a scrappy match at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast this morning as he failed to take early chances to get a foothold in the match.
It means just one victory in five events so far this season, as the Dubliner continues to struggle to put some results together.
He missed a glorious opportunity in the opening frame today, and he was punished by the world number 6, who finished the match with a century.
"I lost the first frame on the black and had a couple of chances to put it away," he told RTÉ Sport.
"It might have made a bit of a difference.
"Winning that first frame made Kyren very strong. He's one of the top players in the world and he finished off the match in style.
"I was disappointed with my positional play. I know I lost 4-0, and it looks one-sided, but I should have been 2-1 up at one stage, but that's just the way the game goes.
"I was more pleased with how I felt. Coming into other matches when you've been a bit rusty, or lacking a few ones, you would have been a bit more nervous but I was enjoying it out there.
"The Waterfront has got great memories for me, particularly when I played Alex Higgins here a long time ago. It's a great spot and I'm just sorry I didn't give them a bit more to cheer about."
Elite level snooker is cut throat, with the winner of the last event in Europe - Ryan Day, who won the British Open earlier this month - also failing to make the tournament proper in Belfast.
Doherty was awarded a tour card by World Snooker at the end of last season, which keeps him competing on the tour for another two seasons.
"They are both great ambassadors for our sport and they have both done a huge amount to grow snooker around the world over many years," WST chairman Steve Dawson said at the time.
"Both Ken and Stephen (Hendry) continue to generate interest from fans, television and media.
"We wish them all the best for the next two seasons. We will review this invitation at the end of the two-year period."
With so much competition to advance to the latter stages of events, it's arguably more difficult than its ever been to stay in the top 16.
"If i get to the semi-finals or a final, it'll probably be doing the commentary," Doherty jokes.
"If you get a few wins under your belt you never know. Something might spark up again. I wouldn't discount anything, I'm not going to put myself down and say I've got no chance.
"I wouldn't do that because once you have a bit of spirit there, a bit of competitive Irish spirit, anything can happen."
