Here's exactly what Fergal kindly had to say to me, written ahead of last weekends Ruhr Open:
Hi Fergal, You’ve lost in the Last 32 of the UK
Championships in both of the last two seasons, while struggling badly in the
qualifying draw before that. Do you think you could’ve done better in this
event in recent years and do you think you can do better this season?
My record in the UK
championships is disappointing. I think I have only made the quarter finals
once and as you said for a good few years I didn't even qualify. Hopefully I
will make up for the lean years this year. I like the tournament I like the
longer matches and I like York but as yet that hasn't resulted in great
performances.
This season you’ve got Brazilian Igor Figueiredo in the Last
128. Have you ever seen much of Igor in action and what do you think you can
expect from that match?
I played Igor a few
years ago in a qualifier in Sheffield and while I won 5 1 it wasn't easy so I'm
looking forward to playing him again. I have had a good start to the season
after a good season last year. I have been practising hard the last 2 weeks so
hopefully it will pay off.
Last season of course was the first year of all 128 guys
playing at the venue under the flat draw. Knowing that you played in the sports
hall for a couple of your games last season, how big a difference was there
playing in the sports hall compared to the main arena and do you think this
damages the tournament in any way?
I prefer the flat 128
draw with everybody at the venue. I didn't mind playing in the sports hall for
my first 2 matches while I know Mark King who I played wasn't happy with the
set up. I prefer playing in the main arena but I am sure we'll get used to open
plan areas like other qualifiers and PTC events.
Your best performance of the season so far was a run to the
quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters where you lost 5-0 to Mark Selby. Were
you pleased with your efforts that week or slightly disappointed that you
couldn’t progress further or put up a better show in that match?
I was happy to get to
the quarter finals in Shanghai my first in a while and my best run in China so
progress there but yes I was disappointed not to play better against Mark.
In the Last 16 of that tournament you overcame you overcame the
wildcard sensation Zhao Xintong 5-3. What did he look like up close, do you
think he has a bright future in the game and is it unfair that he should
continually be given a place in the wildcard round?
Zhao Xintong is a
fabulous prospect, fearless potter and very natural he played well at the start
but made my experience count at the end. He has every chance of having a great
career if he works hard. I have been against any wild cards in overseas events
for years and think they are unfair period the sooner they're gone the better.
Your best performance for some time came in at the Gdynia
Open in February where you lost in the final to Shaun Murphy. How pleasing was
that week for you, and was it more pleasing that it took some brilliant form
from Murphy to beat you there?
I was delighted to get
to the final in Gdynia in February. I didn't play my very best but battled well
and came from 3 1 down to beat Dominic Dale and Tony Drago. I knew I had to
make the quarter finals to make the PTC finals so I was pleased to do well
under pressure. I had chances against Shaun but didn’t take them and he played
better. Hopefully I will win the next final I'm in.
You’re still going strong in the rankings at No.28 (at the
time of writing) with a highest professional ranking of 9 in the past. Do you
think that you still have the game to get back into the top 16, or is this as
good as things will get for you now?
I definitely believe I
will make top 16 again as I feel I'm improving practising hard and I run 5
times a week so am one or the fittest on tour and am still hungry to add to the
the British open title of 1999. I don't want to stand still in the rankings I
want to move up. I feel I am a better player than when I was in the top 16
before and while standards have improved I believe my best is good enough.
In 2001 you made the final of the Masters at the old Wembley
Conference Centre where you lost out 10-9 to the great Paul Hunter. Do you look
back on that final with a general fondness, simply for being a part of it?
I was very disappointed
to lose the Masters final in 2001 to Paul as I was 7 3 up and also had chances
in the decider but looking back I am glad to have been part of such a classic
match and obviously can't begrudge Paul the win as this helped cement his
legend along with other victories before his tragic death in his prime with a
young wife and daughter left behind.
Can you give us an insight into what it is that makes Fergal
O’Brien tick away from the snooker table? What things in life are the most
important to you?
Away from snooker I
love spending time at home with my wife and daughter. I'm away so much it's
great when I'm back home. As I said I love running. I joined Lucan Harriers 5
years ago and wish I had years before that. There's a great bunch of lads and
we have a great laugh while challenging each other. I also like having my
friends around a few times during the year for poker and support Manchester
United which hasn't been as much fun as usual the last 18 months!
You’ve been flying the flag for Irish snooker amongst a host
of other players for some time now, but where does the future of Irish snooker
stand right now? What young Irish players should we be looking out for in the
future in your opinion?
It is disappointing
that there are only 3 Irish players on the tour and Ken and I have been trying
to fly the flag for 25 years or so. Josh Bealieu is a good kid with talent who
has a chance to make it and PJ Nolan the Irish national coach who I work with
has told me there are some talented juniors on the scene so hopefully they will
make the breakthrough over the next decade.
The most recent big tournament to feature in Ireland was the
PTC Finals in Galway, but since this was moved last season there is no tour
snooker coming to the Irish shores. Do you think it’s a must that tour snooker
returns to Ireland in order for more young players to come through?
It is an awful pity
that there are no tournaments in Ireland even a PTC as this would really help
promote the game here and give encouragement to juniors. Having said that I am
really looking to playing in the legends event in Goffs on 29&30 December -
Ireland v England should be great!
Finally, at the age of 42, how many years do you think you
have left in your career or are you aiming to keep going as long as you
possibly can? How many years do you think you can continue at your current
standard?
Even though I'm 42 I
still feel there are great things I can still achieve and using Steve Davis and
Phil Taylor as inspiration I definitely think I have at least 10 more years in
me.
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