Joe Swail saved his best until last as he defeated Dubliner Fergal O'Brien to win the Irish Open title in Londonderry last night.
The 33-year-old Belfast-born star rounded off his emphatic 10-3 success with a 122 total clearance having previously knocked in nine other breaks in excess of 50.
"That has to be the most consistent spell of snooker I've played in my career," said the Manchester-based player, whose win was worth £5,000 while former British Open champion O'Brien pocketed £2,500.
"Hopefully this will kick-start my season," said Swail who never looked back after gaining the 3-0 lead with runs of 54, 55 and 51.
O'Brien briefly made a match of it as he took the next two frames, but he finished the opening session 6-3 in arrears. When the contest resumed Swail fired in further breaks of 67, 57, 54 and his quickfire century to wrap up the tournament.
He now goes forward to the European Open at Torquay next month and faces Benson & Hedges championship winner Mark Davis for a possible second-round meeting with world champion Peter Ebdon.
PA
