Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Having first faced the Mark Williams in 1994, Ronnie O'Sullivan was asked if he could ever have imagined playing the Welshman at such a stage all these years later

O'Sullivan: The younger players are so bad

Ronnie O'Sullivan launched a savage attack on snooker's next generation after beating Ding Junhui to book a World Championship quarter-final clash against fellow veteran Mark Williams.

Snooker • 10 Aug 20

Neil Robertson spilt his drink on his trousers

Where's the coffee going? - Crucible clash delayed

Neil Robertson's coffee mishap was followed by Barry Hawkins sitting in the wrong chair to add a light-hearted edge to the start of their second-round encounter at the World Championship.

Snooker • 08 Aug 20

Maximum man John Higgins shocked by Kurt Maflin

John Higgins made only the 11th 147 break at a World Championship, but it wasn't enough as he was upset by Kurt Maflin.

Snooker • 06 Aug 20

'There was going to be no changing my mind whatsoever'

Gould puts retirement on hold after shocking Maguire

Martin Gould ripped up his retirement speech after cruising into the second round of the World Championship with a 10-3 victory over ninth seed Stephen Maguire.

Snooker • 05 Aug 20

Murphy crashes out at Crucible, Allen holds slim lead

Former champion Shaun Murphy was thrashed 10-4 by Thailand's Noppon Saengkham at the Crucible, while Antrim's Mark Allen holds a 5-4 lead over Jamie Clarke.

Snooker • 04 Aug 20

Stuart Bingham was grateful to get over the line

Bingham blames sanitised balls after nervy win

Stuart Bingham blamed sanitised balls as he struggled to a 10-7 victory against qualifier Ashley Carty at the World Snooker Championship.

Snooker • 01 Aug 20

From tomorrow no fans will be allowed into the Crucible

Fans out from tomorrow as Crucible action begins

The handful of fans allowed into the Crucible on Friday morning were treated to some drama as defending champion Judd Trump quickly fell behind to Tom Ford in the opening match of the World Snooker Championship.

Snooker • 31 Jul 20

Premier League clubs had been hoping to admit supporters at pre-season friendlies next month

Blow for Premier League fans as pilot events halted

Further pilot sport events with spectators in attendance will now not take place in the UK in the first two weeks of August, Boris Johnson has said.

Snooker • 31 Jul 20

Anthony Hamilton cited concerns earlier in the week

Trump slams 'selfish' Hamilton for late Worlds exit

Reigning champion Judd Trump has criticised Anthony Hamilton for his "selfish" late withdrawal from this year's World Snooker Championship citing fears over coronavirus.

Snooker • 30 Jul 20

Ronnie O'Sullivan: 'It hits home a lot harder when you've experienced someone dying'

Snooker players being treated like 'lab rats' - Rocket

Ronnie O'Sullivan says snooker stars are being treated like "lab rats" at this year's World Snooker Championship and claims anyone unconcerned by the decision to allow some spectators into the event must have a "death wish".

Snooker • 29 Jul 20

Ken Doherty trailed 5-1, briefly threatening a comeback, but Mark King sealed it with a break of 97

Doherty misses out on Crucible and loses WST card

Ken Doherty has been beaten in the World Snooker Championship qualifiers, meaning he has lost his World Snooker Tour card.

Snooker • 26 Jul 20

Fergal O'Brien now moves into the final round of qualifiers for the World Snooker Championship

O'Brien holds nerve to reach final World qualifiers

Fergal O'Brien secured a nerve-wracking but hugely significant 6-5 victory over Luca Brecel in the third and penultimate round of qualifying for next week's World Snooker Championship.

Snooker • 25 Jul 20

Ken Doherty is into the hat for the next round

Doherty survives scare to advance at World qualifying

Former champion Ken Doherty is through to the third round of qualifying for the World Snooker Championship after holding off a fightback from Scot Fraser Patrick to win 6-4.

Snooker • 24 Jul 20

Gerard Greene is through to the next round

Greene advances as Doherty and Brown learn opponents

Gerard Greene comfortably advanced to the second round of the World Snooker Championship qualifiers with a 6-1 victory over Brian Ochoiski on Wednesday.

Snooker • 23 Jul 20

O'Sullivan slams decision to allow crowds at Crucible

Ronnie O'Sullivan has labelled the decision to allow a limited number of spectators at the World Snooker Championship as an "unnecessary risk".

Snooker • 21 Jul 20

Ken Doherty will attempt to reach the Crucible as a player for the first time in six years

Seven Irish aiming for Crucible that will feature fans

Former champion Ken Doherty is among seven Irish players who will begin the quest to reach this year's rescheduled World Snooker Championship when the qualifiers begin on Tuesday.

Snooker • 24 Jul 20

Taylor raises his cue after sinking that black ball

Favourite Sporting Moment: Homecoming for Dennis Taylor

Each week on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, we will be delving into the archives to relive the nation's favourite sporting memories. This time we recall the homecoming of 35 years ago when Dennis Taylor sank that all-important black to become World Snooker champion.

Snooker • 29 Apr 20

Challenging Times: Ken Doherty's World Championship win

The latest edition in our quiz series focuses on Ken Doherty's victory at the World Snooker Championships.

Snooker • 08 Apr 20

Judd Trump's reign will last a little longer

Snooker World Championships pushed to summer

The tournament was scheduled to be played from 18 April to 4 May, with the World Snooker Tour announcing its intention to instead stage it at the Crucible in July or August.

Snooker • 20 Mar 20

Judd Trump leads 7-1 in his quarter-final against Stephen Maguire in Sheffield

Ruthless Trump hits top form against Maguire

A ruthless Judd Trump produced three centuries in the space of five frames as he took command of his World Championship quarter-final against Stephen Maguire in Sheffield.

Snooker • 01 May 19

'A&E. Could be here a while, couldn't stick the chest pains no more. Lucky there wasn't any more frames to play.'

World champion Williams in hospital with chest pains

Defending world snooker champion Mark Williams has revealed doctors are confident his health scare is not related to his heart after going to hospital suffering from chest pains.

Snooker • 26 Apr 19

Mark Allen needs something special on Wednesday

Allen up against it at World Championship

Antrim man Mark Allen is on the brink of a first-round exit at the World Snooker Championship as he trails China's Zhou Yuelong 7-2.

Snooker • 23 Apr 19

World number 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan has made an early exit

'Exhausted' Rocket fails to fire at World Championship

Ronnie O'Sullivan admitted a combination of illness and recurring insomnia had contributed to his sluggish performance as he bowed out in the opening round of the World Snooker Championship for the first time since 2003.

Snooker • 23 Apr 19

O'Sullivan (l) looked out of sorts throughout

Amateur Cahill leads Rocket at the Crucible

Amateur James Cahill is five frames away from producing one of the all-time sporting shocks at the Crucible.

Snooker • 22 Apr 19

Mark Williams is defending his title at the Crucible

'Pathetic' - Williams fumes at World Snooker after win

Defending champion Mark Williams established a 6-3 lead over Martin Gould in the opening session of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.

Snooker • 20 Apr 19