CWY Snooker House

Detail Reports

FIRST ROUNDS

Alan McManus (Sco) 6-4 Fergal O'Brien (Ire)

Scores: 0-94, 73-38, 122-4 (122), 67-59 (55 O'Brien), 37-71, 80-25, 59-8, 0-73 (73), 0-84 (84), 73-29
This is Glaswegian Alan McManus' first win in the Benson & Hedges Irish Masters since 1994. "It's nice not to be going home the day after you get here," he said afterwards. He finished off local favourite Fergal O'Brien 6-4.
World No.8 McManus reached the Goffs final on his debut in 1993 and again the following year losing both times to Steve Davis.
"I knew I hadn't won here for sometime but I don't know whether this victory is something of an omen, I hope it is," said McManus who compiled a century break of 122 in the third frame, only his fourth of the season and the 109th of his career.
"Though it got edgy towards the end, I managed to fall over the line. I played OK up to the interval. That's the sort of form I'll be hoping to repeat between now and the end of the season. I'll certainly be happy if I can reproduce it against Stephen in the next round.
"It was always going to be tough against Fergal and while the crowd were a bit noisy supporting him, which was only to be expected, I wasn't put off at all. I had a few fans out there as well and anyway the crowd are part of the fun.
"This is also a great place to play at, the best outside the UK. It's buzzing all the time here and this sort of an atmosphere suits me down to the ground.
The Scot has struggled with his form since reaching the quarter-finals of the British Open six months ago. He had won only two matches and badly needed an injection of confidence.
"Every player usually feels confident going into the next tournament no matter what has happened before. As far as I'm concerned there has been nothing wrong with my practice game and at the club I've been playing really well," he added.
O'Brien, winner of last season's British Open, admitted he was devastated by the result.
"The momentum was with me when I closed in from 5-2 to 5-4 with breaks of 73 and 84. But some in-offs which I never expected, didn't help me at all in what was to be the final frame."
There was a sequence of bizarre fouls punctuated the tenth frame, as both players went in-off when presented with good opportunities. McManus took the last four reds with colours to leave the Irishman requiring snookers.

John Parrott (Eng) 6-1 Steve Davis (Eng)

Scores: 20-78, 62-43, 69-1 (69), 68-54, 61-22, 93-43, 75-13
John Parrott beat Steve Davis 6-1 in battle of the snooker veterans to book his place in the quarter-finals.
The total appearances in the B&H Irish Masters between the two former world champions had clocked up to 31 but both failed to produce fireworks in this match. There was only one break over 50.
Davis, who has claimed this title eight times in eighteen appearances will not look back on this performance with satisfaction. He only took the opening frame and said, "I feel that I've worked very hard for one frame. It's frustrating when you don't stay involved in a great tournament.
"I don't think the scoreline was a true reflection on what happened but I'm not complaining at the result."
Parrott, 35, ground out his victory by matching his 42-year-old opponent's tactics and making fewer unforced errors.
He said, "When Steve decides to play rock hard matchplay you either go gung-ho and try to blitz him out of it or attempt to match him at his own game."
He now faces provisional world No.1 Mark J Williams in the quarter-final.

Ken Doherty (Eng) 4-6 Matthew Stevens (Wal)

Scores: 22-58, 70-64 (63 Doherty), 56-72, 70-0 (70), 116-1 (115), 34-73, 5-73, 64-37, 46-55, 53-70
Welshman Matthew Stevens repeated his 10-8 victory over Ken Doherty in the final of the Wembley Masters last month when he defeated Irish No.1 6-4 to set up a quarter-final against Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Doherty's dream of winning his home tournament was once again destroyed as he lost his opening match in front of a packed house at Goffs.
A scrappy contest failed to produce a break of over 50 from Stevens while Doherty gave his supporters something to cheer about when he knocked in a 115 break in frame five.
"This is the best venue in the world. It was a great atmosphere and the crowd were fantastic. Unfortunately I didn't perform well enough for them. I'm very disappointed.
"It means so much playing here but nothing seemed to go right. It could easily have been 6-4 to me," said the Irishman.
Stevens remarked, "I won a few close frames, but I think Ken would agree with me that it was a poor match. I'm just lucky to come through it."
If Matthew Stevens were to win at Goffs, it would complete a unique treble following his masters victories in Scotland and Wembley.

Stephen Lee (Eng) 4-6 Jimmy White (Eng)

Scores: 132-0 (132), 62-1, 60-28, 0-78 (65), 31-79 (78), 0-99 (99), 0-71, 4-60, 71-15 (56), 0-66
Whirlwind Jimmy White booked his place in the quarter-finals before jetting back to Britain to carry out the draw for the Worthington Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday.
White, who defeated last year's runner-up Stephen Lee, will return to the Republic well in time to face world No.1 John Higgins for his next match.
"I'm looking forward to playing John again. My own game is OK and in this sort of form I can beat anyone," said White who won six of the last seven frames to remove Lee from the list of possible winners.
Only two months ago, White lost 6-5 to Lee in the semi-finals of the Regal Welsh Open having led 5-2. "I missed a couple of match winning blues that day but this time I was better focussed on the job in hand.
"I came over here on Monday to get used to the atmosphere and prepare properly for what is the third best tournament on the circuit. I'm glad I did, I was very determined and wasn't too bothered when I went 3-0 down.
"Stephen's a quality player, so I'm pleased with the way I hung in there."
White who had the backing of most of the crowd, added, "I usually get great support over here. I can only thank the fans for sticking with me.
"I don't play quite as fast as I used to but that's only because is catching up with me. I make too many mistakes if I play to my old speed."
Lee's clearance of 132 in the first frame is the highest break so far, remarked, "Jimmy had two massive flukes and won two frames off them. That made a big difference but I've had my share of luck against him in the past, you have to give and take in this game.
"Jimmy was also fired up for this game and while I had a good start, a bit of running changed things round. He also hadn't beaten me in three previous attempts, so sooner of later he was going to."

Alan McManus (Sco)	6-4	Fergal O'Brien (Ire)
Scores: 0-94, 73-38, 122-4 (122), 67-59 (55 O'Brien), 37-71, 80-25, 59-8, 0-73 (73), 0-84 (84), 73-29 This is Glaswegian Alan McManus' first win in the Benson & Hedges Irish Masters since 1994. "It's nice not to be going home the day after you get here," he said afterwards. He finished off local favourite Fergal O'Brien 6-4. World No.8 McManus reached the Goffs final on his debut in 1993 and again the following year losing both times to Steve Davis. "I knew I hadn't won here for sometime but I don't know whether this victory is something of an omen, I hope it is," said McManus who compiled a century break of 122 in the third frame, only his fourth of the season and the 109th of his career. "Though it got edgy towards the end, I managed to fall over the line. I played OK up to the interval. That's the sort of form I'll be hoping to repeat between now and the end of the season. I'll certainly be happy if I can reproduce it against Stephen in the next round. "It was always going to be tough against Fergal and while the crowd were a bit noisy supporting him, which was only to be expected, I wasn't put off at all. I had a few fans out there as well and anyway the crowd are part of the fun. "This is also a great place to play at, the best outside the UK. It's buzzing all the time here and this sort of an atmosphere suits me down to the ground. The Scot has struggled with his form since reaching the quarter-finals of the British Open six months ago. He had won only two matches and badly needed an injection of confidence. "Every player usually feels confident going into the next tournament no matter what has happened before. As far as I'm concerned there has been nothing wrong with my practice game and at the club I've been playing really well," he added. O'Brien, winner of last season's British Open, admitted he was devastated by the result. "The momentum was with me when I closed in from 5-2 to 5-4 with breaks of 73 and 84. But some in-offs which I never expected, didn't help me at all in what was to be the final frame." There was a sequence of bizarre fouls punctuated the tenth frame, as both players went in-off when presented with good opportunities. McManus took the last four reds with colours to leave the Irishman requiring snookers.

John Parrott (Eng)	6-1	Steve Davis (Eng)
Scores: 20-78, 62-43, 69-1 (69), 68-54, 61-22, 93-43, 75-13 John Parrott beat Steve Davis 6-1 in battle of the snooker veterans to book his place in the quarter-finals. The total appearances in the B&H Irish Masters between the two former world champions had clocked up to 31 but both failed to produce fireworks in this match. There was only one break over 50. Davis, who has claimed this title eight times in eighteen appearances will not look back on this performance with satisfaction. He only took the opening frame and said, "I feel that I've worked very hard for one frame. It's frustrating when you don't stay involved in a great tournament. "I don't think the scoreline was a true reflection on what happened but I'm not complaining at the result." Parrott, 35, ground out his victory by matching his 42-year-old opponent's tactics and making fewer unforced errors. He said, "When Steve decides to play rock hard matchplay you either go gung-ho and try to blitz him out of it or attempt to match him at his own game." He now faces provisional world No.1 Mark J Williams in the quarter-final.

Ken Doherty (Eng)	4-6	Matthew Stevens (Wal)
Scores: 22-58, 70-64 (63 Doherty), 56-72, 70-0 (70), 116-1 (115), 34-73, 5-73, 64-37, 46-55, 53-70 Welshman Matthew Stevens repeated his 10-8 victory over Ken Doherty in the final of the Wembley Masters last month when he defeated Irish No.1 6-4 to set up a quarter-final against Ronnie O'Sullivan. Doherty's dream of winning his home tournament was once again destroyed as he lost his opening match in front of a packed house at Goffs. A scrappy contest failed to produce a break of over 50 from Stevens while Doherty gave his supporters something to cheer about when he knocked in a 115 break in frame five. "This is the best venue in the world. It was a great atmosphere and the crowd were fantastic. Unfortunately I didn't perform well enough for them. I'm very disappointed. "It means so much playing here but nothing seemed to go right. It could easily have been 6-4 to me," said the Irishman. Stevens remarked, "I won a few close frames, but I think Ken would agree with me that it was a poor match. I'm just lucky to come through it." If Matthew Stevens were to win at Goffs, it would complete a unique treble following his masters victories in Scotland and Wembley.

Stephen Lee (Eng)	4-6	Jimmy White (Eng)
Scores: 132-0 (132), 62-1, 60-28, 0-78 (65), 31-79 (78), 0-99 (99), 0-71, 4-60, 71-15 (56), 0-66 Whirlwind Jimmy White booked his place in the quarter-finals before jetting back to Britain to carry out the draw for the Worthington Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday. White, who defeated last year's runner-up Stephen Lee, will return to the Republic well in time to face world No.1 John Higgins for his next match. "I'm looking forward to playing John again. My own game is OK and in this sort of form I can beat anyone," said White who won six of the last seven frames to remove Lee from the list of possible winners. Only two months ago, White lost 6-5 to Lee in the semi-finals of the Regal Welsh Open having led 5-2. "I missed a couple of match winning blues that day but this time I was better focussed on the job in hand. "I came over here on Monday to get used to the atmosphere and prepare properly for what is the third best tournament on the circuit. I'm glad I did, I was very determined and wasn't too bothered when I went 3-0 down. "Stephen's a quality player, so I'm pleased with the way I hung in there." White who had the backing of most of the crowd, added, "I usually get great support over here. I can only thank the fans for sticking with me. "I don't play quite as fast as I used to but that's only because is catching up with me. I make too many mistakes if I play to my old speed." Lee's clearance of 132 in the first frame is the highest break so far, remarked, "Jimmy had two massive flukes and won two frames off them. That made a big difference but I've had my share of luck against him in the past, you have to give and take in this game. "Jimmy was also fired up for this game and while I had a good start, a bit of running changed things round. He also hadn't beaten me in three previous attempts, so sooner of later he was going to."

QUARTER FINALS

Stephen Hendry (Sco) 6-2 Alan McManus (Wal)

Scores: 94-0 (59), 60-72 (52 McManus), 72-13, 85-13 (80), 29-99 (65), 78-28 (55), 134-0 (88), 64-10 (63)
Defending champion Stephen Hendry began his defence of the title with an opening-round victory over Alan McManus.
"I was always in front and that's a nice position," Hendry said, "I felt as if I was going to score heavily whenever I got in, so I'm very happy."
The key frame was the sixth when Hendry fluked a red to start a break of 55 which gave him a lead of 4-2. It started with a fluke when he missed a long red into the top left hand pocket. The ball then travelled the length of the table before dropping into the yellow pocket.
"That made all the difference and no doubt hurt Alan who played probably the best two safety shots of the season just before," said three times champion Hendry.
The Scot who faces Parrott for a place in the final, lacked consistency with his long pot in this match and continued, "I did miss a lot of easy balls and that was due to my concentration not being quite what it should be. But to beat someone of Alan's class 6-2 is still a good victory."
This is also Hendry's 16th win against the world No.8 who hasn't beaten him for four years. "He looks really good and is in top form, you wouldn't want to back against him," said McManus.
As Hendry's continues his search for the three centuries that will take his career total to 500, he admitted this was putting extra pressure on him. "But I don't mind that. It should help my concentration to improve."

Mark J Williams (Wal) 3-6 John Parrott (Eng)

Scores: 2-73, 72-60 (54/60), 32-78, 70-50 (52/50), 17-70, 16-94 (72), 58-34, 48-67 (58), 51-61 (50 Williams)
John Parrott, who also beat Mark J Williams at the corresponding stage in 1998, will be in his seventh semi-final since his first invitation here in 1989.
But despite finished off the Welsh axe, the former world champion wasn't happy at all as he heard the bookies considered him as a rank outsider for next month's Embassy World Championship.
"I reckon there are half a dozen players ahead of me in the pecking order this year but to quote me at 66-1 as one bookie has, is an insult and quite ridiculous," said Parrott who faces Gary Wilkinson in the first round at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.
The 35-year-old who last month was beaten 5-1 by Williams in the quarter-finals of the Rothmans Malta Grand Prix, continued, "That scoreline wasn't a true reflection on the match. I was burgled that day.
"Mark has been giving me a thumping lately as he has done to other players and while we both missed some silly balls today, I was pleased with the clearances I had to make to win some of the frames.
"I don't always concentrate as much as I used to though as far as concentration goes, I've never been the greatest. My technique has also gone a bit astray this season but I've worked hard to put things right and the rewards are starting to come.
"I'm also relatively fresh. I haven't had a hard season and I'm looking forward to what's left of it," he added.
UK Champion Mark J Williams became 25 two days ago but could only brought himself a hat-trick of defeats in the Benson & Hedges Irish Masteres opening-round for birthday present.
He said, "I was rubbish, I'm amazed I am still at the front of the provisional world rankings. I know I've won a couple of events this season but all I can say is I must be catching everyone else on a bad day.
"If someone is playing well against me they will beat me and I'm getting used to playing so badly.
"John did some good clearances but to be fair, he didn't have much to beat and on the day was the better player by far."

Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) 6-4 Matthew Stevens (Wal)

Scores:
0-82 (50), 73-23 (56), 82-43 (65), 82-0 (82), 36-86 (85), 77-8 (77), 47-61 (54), 81-0, 26-92 (92), 98-19 (94)
Ronnie O'Sullivan ended Matthew Stevens's hopes of a unique masters treble. In this best match of the tournament so far, both players scored heavily in the balls though there were many unexpected errors.
O'Sullivan's long potting had been unconsistently throughout the game, but he took a long red to kick off a break of 94 to seal the match, just failed to make a century when he missed the pink playing left-handed.
This is the first win for O'Sullivan against Stevens in three attempts. The Welshman, already the winner of the Regal Masters at Motherwell in October, and the B&H Masters at Wembley last month, won the opening frame but was always playing catch up once O'Sullivan had gone ahead.
O'Sullivan, bullish about his chances of winning the title, still considers himself the moral victor two years ago when he defeated Ken Doherty 9-3 in the final.
Three months later O'Sullivan was stripped of the title and ordered to payback his prize money, which was then awarded to Doherty, after a positive drug test revealed traces of marijuana (cannabis) were found in his urine sample.
"Rules are rules and I broke the rules but as far as I'm concerned I still won this tournament in 1998 and I think most people agree with me. It's annoying that my photograph is not among those of previous winners hanging up here. Perhaps I'll stick up a polaroid of myself," said O'Sullivan.
The 24-year-old from Chigwell in Essex continued, "I'm still waiting for something to click and hopefully stay with me for a while.
"Like everyone else I don't always know what to expect when I go to the table, there were a few errors out there today but these only help to make the excitement.
"It had nothing to do with pressure when I missed a few chances to lead 5-2 which would have made things a bit easier for me. It would have done my head in had I started to study which shot was the right one to play.
"I'm here to win the tournament, to enjoy myself and have fun. If I can pull it off and half enjoy myself that will be good enough for me. I have the ability and game to win with, it's a case of delivering the goods at the match table.
"This is a great venue to play at and the people are great as well. I just want to be around on Sunday to win the thing again."
Stevens remarked, "Despite making a few decent breaks I'm disappointed with the way I played.
"It was a patchy performance from both of us and after winning the first frame, I struggled in the next three. Ronnie hadn't beaten me before but it was his day today and he got the better of me."
Talking about his world championship chances, Stevens added, "It's hard to say who will win with so many good players in with a shout. To be honest I don't really expect to win it even though I do have a chance."

John Higgins (Sco) 6-4 Jimmy White (Eng)

Scores:
147-0 (147), 77-0 (77), 81-18, 56-70 (50/70), 88-0 (82), 46-67, 16-61 (50), 71-1 (53), 17-61, 61-51 (57/51)
Arriving the Co. Kildare venue less than 24 hours ago and only had two shots in his very first scoring visit, Scottish wizard John Higgis made a phenomenal 147 maximum break to open up his campaign in this year's Benson & Hedges Irish Masters.
A packed house of crowd witnessed the world No.1 fired the first 147 in the tournament's 23 years history. The previous highest break in this event was 141, compiled by both Fergal O'Brien and Stephen Hendry in their quarter final here in 1994.
This is also only the second ever made outside the UK followed by James Wattana's maximum in the 1997 invitation China International.
Higgins was rarely in trouble throughout the break though he needed to clinch it with the cue ball near the middle of the table as he approached the final black, but he sunk it with a fine cut.
The Scot admitted he had to steady his nerves as he approached the final black, "I just told myself to pot it as if I was trying to hold for a red in the pack and was delighted to see it go in.
"The adrenaline was going and the crowd were on a high but I was frightened I would relax too much."
It was His second 147 in competition with the first was only nine weeks ago in the Nations Cup. He revealed, "I knew the reds were set and wasn't as nervous as the first time I did it.
"But I didn't know at the time how much the maximum was worth and neither did the referee, Colin Brinded.
"So I asked a woman in the crowd if she knew. When she told me GBP 7,000, I thought to myself, is that all? It wasn't until the interval came, that I found out it was worth a bit more than that."
In fact, this work will earn him more than GBP 25,000 including the high break prize.
The 24-year-old Scot who had held his cue in the air to salute the maximum which was completed in 10 minutes and 26 seconds, continued, "It was still an unbelieveable feeling to make one at Goffs and in front of such a big crowd but at 24 I knew it was possible though at the outset all I was thinking about was putting together a frame winning break."
Despite finally beat Jimmy White 6-4, Higgins still struggled to tame the "whirlwind" after leading 3-0 and 4-1.
White, gaining in confidence from Higgins' blunders, eventually closed the gap to 5-4 but when he rashly attempted a red when holding a 51 point lead in frame 10, he paid the penalty for such foolhardiness.
What reds were left were in prime position for a clearance and Higgins did his job to wrap the victory.
"I felt I was in control of the match until I started to lose silly frames. In the end I was very relieved to go through.
"I would have gladly handed back the 147 had it meant I would have gone on and won the match because if I had lost, it would have meant nothing.
"Hopefully I can show the Irish people my best form this year and kick start my season again with this result," he added.

Stephen Hendry (Sco)	6-2	Alan McManus (Wal)
Scores: 94-0 (59), 60-72 (52 McManus), 72-13, 85-13 (80), 29-99 (65), 78-28 (55), 134-0 (88), 64-10 (63) Defending champion Stephen Hendry began his defence of the title with an opening-round victory over Alan McManus. "I was always in front and that's a nice position," Hendry said, "I felt as if I was going to score heavily whenever I got in, so I'm very happy." The key frame was the sixth when Hendry fluked a red to start a break of 55 which gave him a lead of 4-2. It started with a fluke when he missed a long red into the top left hand pocket. The ball then travelled the length of the table before dropping into the yellow pocket. "That made all the difference and no doubt hurt Alan who played probably the best two safety shots of the season just before," said three times champion Hendry. The Scot who faces Parrott for a place in the final, lacked consistency with his long pot in this match and continued, "I did miss a lot of easy balls and that was due to my concentration not being quite what it should be. But to beat someone of Alan's class 6-2 is still a good victory." This is also Hendry's 16th win against the world No.8 who hasn't beaten him for four years. "He looks really good and is in top form, you wouldn't want to back against him," said McManus. As Hendry's continues his search for the three centuries that will take his career total to 500, he admitted this was putting extra pressure on him. "But I don't mind that. It should help my concentration to improve."

Mark J Williams (Wal)	3-6	John Parrott (Eng)
Scores: 2-73, 72-60 (54/60), 32-78, 70-50 (52/50), 17-70, 16-94 (72), 58-34, 48-67 (58), 51-61 (50 Williams) John Parrott, who also beat Mark J Williams at the corresponding stage in 1998, will be in his seventh semi-final since his first invitation here in 1989. But despite finished off the Welsh axe, the former world champion wasn't happy at all as he heard the bookies considered him as a rank outsider for next month's Embassy World Championship. "I reckon there are half a dozen players ahead of me in the pecking order this year but to quote me at 66-1 as one bookie has, is an insult and quite ridiculous," said Parrott who faces Gary Wilkinson in the first round at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre. The 35-year-old who last month was beaten 5-1 by Williams in the quarter-finals of the Rothmans Malta Grand Prix, continued, "That scoreline wasn't a true reflection on the match. I was burgled that day. "Mark has been giving me a thumping lately as he has done to other players and while we both missed some silly balls today, I was pleased with the clearances I had to make to win some of the frames. "I don't always concentrate as much as I used to though as far as concentration goes, I've never been the greatest. My technique has also gone a bit astray this season but I've worked hard to put things right and the rewards are starting to come. "I'm also relatively fresh. I haven't had a hard season and I'm looking forward to what's left of it," he added. UK Champion Mark J Williams became 25 two days ago but could only brought himself a hat-trick of defeats in the Benson & Hedges Irish Masteres opening-round for birthday present. He said, "I was rubbish, I'm amazed I am still at the front of the provisional world rankings. I know I've won a couple of events this season but all I can say is I must be catching everyone else on a bad day. "If someone is playing well against me they will beat me and I'm getting used to playing so badly. "John did some good clearances but to be fair, he didn't have much to beat and on the day was the better player by far."

Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)	6-4	Matthew Stevens (Wal)
Scores: 0-82 (50), 73-23 (56), 82-43 (65), 82-0 (82), 36-86 (85), 77-8 (77), 47-61 (54), 81-0, 26-92 (92), 98-19 (94) Ronnie O'Sullivan ended Matthew Stevens's hopes of a unique masters treble. In this best match of the tournament so far, both players scored heavily in the balls though there were many unexpected errors. O'Sullivan's long potting had been unconsistently throughout the game, but he took a long red to kick off a break of 94 to seal the match, just failed to make a century when he missed the pink playing left-handed. This is the first win for O'Sullivan against Stevens in three attempts. The Welshman, already the winner of the Regal Masters at Motherwell in October, and the B&H Masters at Wembley last month, won the opening frame but was always playing catch up once O'Sullivan had gone ahead. O'Sullivan, bullish about his chances of winning the title, still considers himself the moral victor two years ago when he defeated Ken Doherty 9-3 in the final. Three months later O'Sullivan was stripped of the title and ordered to payback his prize money, which was then awarded to Doherty, after a positive drug test revealed traces of marijuana (cannabis) were found in his urine sample. "Rules are rules and I broke the rules but as far as I'm concerned I still won this tournament in 1998 and I think most people agree with me. It's annoying that my photograph is not among those of previous winners hanging up here. Perhaps I'll stick up a polaroid of myself," said O'Sullivan. The 24-year-old from Chigwell in Essex continued, "I'm still waiting for something to click and hopefully stay with me for a while. "Like everyone else I don't always know what to expect when I go to the table, there were a few errors out there today but these only help to make the excitement. "It had nothing to do with pressure when I missed a few chances to lead 5-2 which would have made things a bit easier for me. It would have done my head in had I started to study which shot was the right one to play. "I'm here to win the tournament, to enjoy myself and have fun. If I can pull it off and half enjoy myself that will be good enough for me. I have the ability and game to win with, it's a case of delivering the goods at the match table. "This is a great venue to play at and the people are great as well. I just want to be around on Sunday to win the thing again." Stevens remarked, "Despite making a few decent breaks I'm disappointed with the way I played. "It was a patchy performance from both of us and after winning the first frame, I struggled in the next three. Ronnie hadn't beaten me before but it was his day today and he got the better of me." Talking about his world championship chances, Stevens added, "It's hard to say who will win with so many good players in with a shout. To be honest I don't really expect to win it even though I do have a chance."

John Higgins (Sco)	6-4	Jimmy White (Eng)
Scores: 147-0 (147), 77-0 (77), 81-18, 56-70 (50/70), 88-0 (82), 46-67, 16-61 (50), 71-1 (53), 17-61, 61-51 (57/51) Arriving the Co. Kildare venue less than 24 hours ago and only had two shots in his very first scoring visit, Scottish wizard John Higgis made a phenomenal 147 maximum break to open up his campaign in this year's Benson & Hedges Irish Masters. A packed house of crowd witnessed the world No.1 fired the first 147 in the tournament's 23 years history. The previous highest break in this event was 141, compiled by both Fergal O'Brien and Stephen Hendry in their quarter final here in 1994. This is also only the second ever made outside the UK followed by James Wattana's maximum in the 1997 invitation China International. Higgins was rarely in trouble throughout the break though he needed to clinch it with the cue ball near the middle of the table as he approached the final black, but he sunk it with a fine cut. The Scot admitted he had to steady his nerves as he approached the final black, "I just told myself to pot it as if I was trying to hold for a red in the pack and was delighted to see it go in. "The adrenaline was going and the crowd were on a high but I was frightened I would relax too much." It was His second 147 in competition with the first was only nine weeks ago in the Nations Cup. He revealed, "I knew the reds were set and wasn't as nervous as the first time I did it. "But I didn't know at the time how much the maximum was worth and neither did the referee, Colin Brinded. "So I asked a woman in the crowd if she knew. When she told me GBP 7,000, I thought to myself, is that all? It wasn't until the interval came, that I found out it was worth a bit more than that." In fact, this work will earn him more than GBP 25,000 including the high break prize. The 24-year-old Scot who had held his cue in the air to salute the maximum which was completed in 10 minutes and 26 seconds, continued, "It was still an unbelieveable feeling to make one at Goffs and in front of such a big crowd but at 24 I knew it was possible though at the outset all I was thinking about was putting together a frame winning break." Despite finally beat Jimmy White 6-4, Higgins still struggled to tame the "whirlwind" after leading 3-0 and 4-1. White, gaining in confidence from Higgins' blunders, eventually closed the gap to 5-4 but when he rashly attempted a red when holding a 51 point lead in frame 10, he paid the penalty for such foolhardiness. What reds were left were in prime position for a clearance and Higgins did his job to wrap the victory. "I felt I was in control of the match until I started to lose silly frames. In the end I was very relieved to go through. "I would have gladly handed back the 147 had it meant I would have gone on and won the match because if I had lost, it would have meant nothing. "Hopefully I can show the Irish people my best form this year and kick start my season again with this result," he added.

SEMI FINALS

Stephen Hendry (Sco) 6-1 John Parrott (Eng)

Scores:
65-44, 81-0 (81), 0-139 (135), 72-0 (72), 68-41 (63), 77-7 (73), 94-0 (94)
Defending champion Stephen Hendry reach his successive final as he thrashed John Parrott 6-1.
The three-times champion produced a flurry of large breaks after a scrappy opening frame and admitted, "I missed a few at the start but I got stronger as the match went on which was pleasing."
"That was a big margin though perhaps not a true reflection as John had a few chances and didn't take them," said Hendry.
But he failed to make a three-figure break, meaning he is still three short of an unprecedented 500 centuries. He had a chance in the final frame but missed a pink with his break on 94.
"It was a careless shot which cost me another one. Obviously I am thinking about reaching the 500 mark and I would prefer to get that far before going to Sheffield for the world championship," said the 31-year-old Scotman.
"It's starting to get on my nerves, but it's not putting me under any extra pressure."
Parrott, in the only frame he won, recorded his highest break of the season, a 135 which took his career total to 198.

Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) 3-6 John Higgins (Sco)

Scores:
0-73 (73), 0-69, 44-68, 66-54 (53 Higgins), 89-58 (73), 50-74 (61), 66-7 (57), 17-69 (68), 10-116 (88)
John Higgins followed his fellow Scot Stephen Hendry by beating another rival Englishman Ronnie O'Sullivan and set up an all-Scottish final in the 23 years history of the Benson & Hedges Irish Masters.
World No.1 Higgins sprinted into a 3-0 lead and always kept his nose in front and said afterwards, "I started off well enough but both of us wasted chances afterwards. My confidence isn't totally back, though getting to a major final here must help me for the rest of the season."
Of his prospects against Stephen Hendry he added, "It's always nice to play Stephen. I look up to him a great deal."
O'Sullivan remark, "I've no excuses. I just didn't take my opportunities."

Stephen Hendry (Sco)	6-1	John Parrott (Eng)
Scores: 65-44, 81-0 (81), 0-139 (135), 72-0 (72), 68-41 (63), 77-7 (73), 94-0 (94) Defending champion Stephen Hendry reach his successive final as he thrashed John Parrott 6-1. The three-times champion produced a flurry of large breaks after a scrappy opening frame and admitted, "I missed a few at the start but I got stronger as the match went on which was pleasing." "That was a big margin though perhaps not a true reflection as John had a few chances and didn't take them," said Hendry. But he failed to make a three-figure break, meaning he is still three short of an unprecedented 500 centuries. He had a chance in the final frame but missed a pink with his break on 94. "It was a careless shot which cost me another one. Obviously I am thinking about reaching the 500 mark and I would prefer to get that far before going to Sheffield for the world championship," said the 31-year-old Scotman. "It's starting to get on my nerves, but it's not putting me under any extra pressure." Parrott, in the only frame he won, recorded his highest break of the season, a 135 which took his career total to 198.

Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)	3-6	John Higgins (Sco)
Scores: 0-73 (73), 0-69, 44-68, 66-54 (53 Higgins), 89-58 (73), 50-74 (61), 66-7 (57), 17-69 (68), 10-116 (88) John Higgins followed his fellow Scot Stephen Hendry by beating another rival Englishman Ronnie O'Sullivan and set up an all-Scottish final in the 23 years history of the Benson & Hedges Irish Masters. World No.1 Higgins sprinted into a 3-0 lead and always kept his nose in front and said afterwards, "I started off well enough but both of us wasted chances afterwards. My confidence isn't totally back, though getting to a major final here must help me for the rest of the season." Of his prospects against Stephen Hendry he added, "It's always nice to play Stephen. I look up to him a great deal." O'Sullivan remark, "I've no excuses. I just didn't take my opportunities."

FINAL

Stephen Hendry (Sco) 4-9 John Higgins (Sco)

Scores:
11-66 (60), 0-139 (97), 101-0 (101), 115-0 (115), 0-142 (128), 19-67, 69-50, 0-116 (94), 2-66 (60), 64-56 (64/56), 0-109 (109), 12-73 (73), 1-76
Scottish wizard John Higgins won his first Benson & Hedges Irish Masters title when he defeated holder Stephen Hendry to collect the first prize together with the bonus for his quarter-final maximum against Jimmy White.
Higgins arrived in Ireland only 24 hours before his first match took place and four days later than anyone else as for once, he turned his back on Irish hospitality.
"I decided to stay away as long as I could because I hadn't done myself justice on previous visits. But I'll be enjoying the hospitality now I've won this one," said the 24 year old from Wishaw.
World No.1 Higgins leads Hendry 4-3 in the sparkling first session and lost just one frame in the evening session to capture the victory.
The first all-Scottish final at the famous horse sales ring in County Kildare had oozed class from start to finish with both players compiling a brace of centuries. Higgins also weighed in with a 97 and 94, 73, 60 (twice) and 56.
Higgins, out of sorts in recent weeks, gave his world championship hopes a huge boost as his sixth victory over Hendry in 14 attempts earned him his third title of the season. "I'm certainly a lot happier about my game now than I was when I got here," he said.
"People say I've had a poor season, but I've won three titles now which is more than anyone else."
He added, "Every season I always seem to have a few crazy defeats so I suppose what has happened before, like losing my first match in China, four months ago, was only par for the course.
"To beat Stephen like this means I must be playing well even though he wasn't at his best and that was probably due to the fact I kept him off the table so much.
"Now I have the bit between my teeth and while retaining the world No.1 ranking might be too much to ask for with only two events left and Mark Williams some way clear, winning the Embassy again at the Crucible next month, is a different matter."
Hendry's back-to-back centuries, 101 and 115, took his career total of centuries to 499 during his 15 years trophy laden career. They also took his seasonal total to 43, 10 short of the record he set in 1994-95.
"The centuries only won me a couple of frames which isn't much over the best of 17 and while the final might have been of a high standard to some people, it wasn't for me," said a disappointed Hendry.
"I didn't perform, especially in the evening session, and John completely outplayed me."
Hendry, also runner-up in the Thailand Masters earlier this month added, "I'll go home now and prepare for the Regal Scottish Open which for me starts in a week's time. I'm disappointed but I'll get over it."

Stephen Hendry (Sco)	4-9	John Higgins (Sco)
Scores: 11-66 (60), 0-139 (97), 101-0 (101), 115-0 (115), 0-142 (128), 19-67, 69-50, 0-116 (94), 2-66 (60), 64-56 (64/56), 0-109 (109), 12-73 (73), 1-76 Scottish wizard John Higgins won his first Benson & Hedges Irish Masters title when he defeated holder Stephen Hendry to collect the first prize together with the bonus for his quarter-final maximum against Jimmy White. Higgins arrived in Ireland only 24 hours before his first match took place and four days later than anyone else as for once, he turned his back on Irish hospitality. "I decided to stay away as long as I could because I hadn't done myself justice on previous visits. But I'll be enjoying the hospitality now I've won this one," said the 24 year old from Wishaw. World No.1 Higgins leads Hendry 4-3 in the sparkling first session and lost just one frame in the evening session to capture the victory. The first all-Scottish final at the famous horse sales ring in County Kildare had oozed class from start to finish with both players compiling a brace of centuries. Higgins also weighed in with a 97 and 94, 73, 60 (twice) and 56. Higgins, out of sorts in recent weeks, gave his world championship hopes a huge boost as his sixth victory over Hendry in 14 attempts earned him his third title of the season. "I'm certainly a lot happier about my game now than I was when I got here," he said. "People say I've had a poor season, but I've won three titles now which is more than anyone else." He added, "Every season I always seem to have a few crazy defeats so I suppose what has happened before, like losing my first match in China, four months ago, was only par for the course. "To beat Stephen like this means I must be playing well even though he wasn't at his best and that was probably due to the fact I kept him off the table so much. "Now I have the bit between my teeth and while retaining the world No.1 ranking might be too much to ask for with only two events left and Mark Williams some way clear, winning the Embassy again at the Crucible next month, is a different matter." Hendry's back-to-back centuries, 101 and 115, took his career total of centuries to 499 during his 15 years trophy laden career. They also took his seasonal total to 43, 10 short of the record he set in 1994-95. "The centuries only won me a couple of frames which isn't much over the best of 17 and while the final might have been of a high standard to some people, it wasn't for me," said a disappointed Hendry. "I didn't perform, especially in the evening session, and John completely outplayed me." Hendry, also runner-up in the Thailand Masters earlier this month added, "I'll go home now and prepare for the Regal Scottish Open which for me starts in a week's time. I'm disappointed but I'll get over it."

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