O"Sullivan for Knightsbrook snooker exhibition

Timing is everything in sport and for the second successive year local snooker enthusiasts will be treated to an exhibition involving the newly-crowned Masters champion when Ronnie O"Sullivan will show off his title along with Jimmy White at Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim on Wednesday, 28th January. Last year a snooker show which involved then Masters champion Mark Selby and world champion John Higgins attracted a sell-out crowd to the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan and this year"s event with four-time Master champions and three-time World champion O"Sullivan and six-time World finalist White is sure to emulate that. The exhibition, which is organised in association with the Meath Chronicle and is sponsored by Tool & Welding supplies Dundalk, is a must for all cue-sports fans. Without doubt the World"s most popular snooker players and famous sports personalities, O"Sullivan and White are great entertainers and are sure to delight and please their large army of fans in the Meath area. Few snooker stars can boast the enduring popularity of O"Sullivan. He is considered by many to be the most naturally talented player in the history of the sport, with legends, including Steve Davis, labelling him a 'genius." However, a temperamental streak sometimes leads to a lack of confidence or interest. According to Stephen Hendry, after his defeat at the World Snooker Championship 2008, 'O"Sullivan is the best player in the world by a country mile.' O"Sullivan is also the most popular player on the circuit and, along with White, is noted for being a 'showman". O"Sullivan is the biggest draw in the game and has helped improve the image of snooker to the general public. The West Midlands, UK man has stated his desire for entertaining the watching public, and maintains that slow, gritty games put viewers off. The three-time and current World champion has won 20 World Ranking titles already and amassed over £6m in prizemoney. Having finished as World Championship runner-up on no fewer than six occasions, White has shown remarkable resolve to keep coming back, and it is a testament to his belief in his own ability that he firmly believes he is still capable of winning the title. Despite the World final defeats, White remains the 'People"s Champion" and is still one of the game"s biggest crowd-pullers. He remains a huge attraction because of his great natural talent, his flamboyant style and his renowned sportsmanship. In 2006 White recorded probably his most famous victory when he won his first ranking tournament in 12 years beating the late Paul Hunter in the final of the Players" Championship. The format for the exhibition next Wednesday will involve some locals playing against White as well as a match between the two stars. There will also be a raffle for a specially autographed cue and a chance to play in a special game of doubles with the two players. Both the 'Rocket" and 'Whirlwind" will be available for autographs and photographs during the night. Tickets, €35 are limited, but are available from Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim and the Emerald Snooker Club, Navan. Further details from (086) 8211302. As a taster for the action in Trim, local snooker sensation Colm Gilcreest, who reached the World Amatuer Championship final in November, has organised a one-day competition, which will feature most of the leading Irish players, in Navan on Tuesday, 27th January. Gilcreest will be joined at the Navan Snooker Club, Metges Lane by stars such as Ken Doherty, Joe Swail, Michael Judge, Paddy Wallace, Dave Morris, Martin McCrudden, Brendan O"Donoghue and Mark Allen is also expected to compete. Entry to the competition is free and play is expected to get underway at 10.0 with the final due around 7.0.