No place for Irish Masters on WSA calendar

SNOOKER/Irish Masters: The Irish Masters has been removed from the World Snooker Association (WSA) calendar for 2006. The event, which had ranking status for the past three years, was scheduled for March 20th to 26th, but these dates have been handed to the China Open.

A replacement date in April was reportedly suggested, but both RTÉ television and the Citywest hotel were unable to accommodate the new times.

Even though the three-year Department of Health deal had ended recently, tournament promoter Kevin Norton adamantly denied sponsorship had been an issue in losing the dates. The Government came on board after legislation was introduced prohibiting tobacco companies from sponsoring sporting events.

"As it stands there is no Irish tournament on the calendar," said WSA spokesman Ivan Hirschowitz. "There are gaps still remaining in the calendar, but I can't say if they will be filled. The China Open was due to be scheduled at the end of January, early February, but the new Malta Cup was given that date."

When asked why the Masters dates went to the China Open, Hirschowitz said the WSA "hadn't come to an agreement with the Irish promoter at the time."

Norton denies this. "That is not true. World Snooker changed the dates without telling me. For the last 27 years the dates were never in question. I was not consulted, and only found out by checking the website."

It is an unfortunate end to a hugely successful tournament that first took place in 1978 at its spiritual home of Goffs in Kill, Co Kildare, before moving to the Citywest Hotel in 2001. Three-time world champion John Spencer picked up a cheque for just £1,000 as the inaugural winner after beating Doug Mountjoy 5-3 in the final.

When Terry Griffiths collected his third title in 1982, the winner's cheque was £6,400. It swelled to five figures by the time Steve Davis won the first of his record eight titles the following year.

It took until 1989 before an Irishman scooped the prize when, in memorable circumstances, 17th seed Alex Higgins, supposedly well past his best, recovered from losing the first four frames and being two frames down with three remaining to beat Stephen Henry. The Scot did return to capture three titles. At the zenith of snooker's power in 1990, the tournament captivated the sports pages due to the grudge match between Higgins and Dennis Taylor. Higgins had threatened to have Taylor shot at the previous tournament, turning their quarter-final meeting into a media circus.

Some 50 journalists and two camera crews were present to see Taylor prevail and Higgins apologise. Davis eventually won another title by beating Taylor nine frames to four in the final.

Ken Doherty reached the final in 1992 and 1998, losing to Stephen Hendry and then Ronnie O'Sullivan. However, the Dubliner was subsequently awarded the 1998 title after O'Sullivan failed a drugs test.

O'Sullivan has won the tournament three times since the switch to Citywest, including last year's victory over Matthew Stevens that saw him pocket a cheque for €60,000 from the €635,000 prize fund.

There are now only six world ranking tournaments on the calendar, including the World Championships at the Crucible from April 15th to May 1st.