SNOOKER GREAT RONNIE O’Sullivan suffered a stunning defeat when he was beaten by amateur James Cahill in the first round of the World Championship this afternoon.
In one of the biggest upsets in snooker history, Cahill beat five-time world champion O’Sullivan 10-8 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Not since 2003 had O’Sullivan lost in the first round of the World Championship.
O’Sullivan, the current world number one, had been in fine form heading into the World Championship after winning five tournaments this season, compiling his 1,000th career century en route to victory in the Players Championship.
But that did not stop Cahill establishing a 5-4 overnight lead which the 23-year-old extended to 8-5 when the match resumed today.
O’Sullivan pulled back to 8-8 with the aid of breaks of 104 and 89. But the ‘Rocket’ missed a chance to take the 17th frame, leaving Cahill 9-8 in front.
O’Sullivan also had the opportunity to take the match to a final-frame decider, but the 43-year-old inadvertently potted a red when breaking the pack open from the blue.
Cahill made the most of an unexpected chance by holding his nerve with a break of 53 that saw him to a memorable win and into a second-round match against Scotland’s Stephen Maguire.
'The biggest upset in the history of the World Championship!'
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) April 23, 2019
Amateur debutant @JamesCahill147 has knocked out the GOAT @ronnieo147 in the first round at the Crucible! pic.twitter.com/Xp9mhHPdfB
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Some upset! Thats why there is a serious argument for hendry being the best ever. Ronnie is without doubt the most talented but should have more than 5 worlds.
@Brian Dunne: another one was Alex Higgins, consistency being his problem also , but on his day nobody could touch him . Which is why I put him personally just ahead of O’Sullivan in terms of the most talented. What Higgins could do with a cue ball I’ve yet to see repeated
@David Weston: Higgins was the most exciting player ive seen David. Never knew what he’d do, totally unconventional. Lifting his head on shots, losing the cueball but always finding the pot! I do think Ronnie is the most naturally talented player of all. But Stephen Hendry was a rolls royce of a player, winning machine
@David Weston: Higgins was an amazing player who did an awful lot to make snooker so popular but O Sullivan has more natural talent if not the charisma of Higgins.
@Brian Dunne: a world championship is so hard to win,like a marathon. This has to be one of the greatest upset of all time.
@Brian Dunne: Ronnie was ill which, no doubt, influenced his poor performance. His consistency is also no longer an issue these days. He’s been by far the best and most consistent player over the last 2 seasons with about a dozen tournament wins and played half a season this year and still got back to number 1
@Brian Dunne: I think Ronnie, for talent was untouchable. I think his worst enemy was himself and his personal life. Playing both left and right handed, he is the Messi of snooker, in my opinion.
@Brian Dunne: Hendry was a great player undoubtedly but nowhere near as entertaining as Ronnie. He was more of a plodder. I remember a lot of snookers in Hendry’s game. They should be banned!
Ronnie obviously didn’t fancy it this year
Queue the retirement speech now
@David Weston: *Cue
Before the match started o Sullivan was 1/80 while Cahill was 16/1 on paddy power! What a win by him!
@Yorkie1892: wonder did his uncle have a cheeky punt on him?
At least we ll have his new health/cook book to look forward to
James Cahill didn’t even have to play anything special. Beating Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-8 at the Crucible with a high break of 84.
O’Sullivan had his focus on matching Henry’s 36 ranking events this season. I think he was happy to prioritise that over the World title this year.
Ronnie only ever does well coming into the world championship if he’s hasn’t played too much snooker that year where the batteries are fully charged.
@Stanley Baggins: it really is a marathon. Robertson is playing some good snooker this season.
@Stanley Baggins: He’s only played in about half the events. That’s not why he lost, he was sick in some way
Did I see somewhere that James Cahill is a nephew of Stephen Hendry ?.
@williethekid: I believe so
@williethekid: I believe he is a relation through marriage.
He has another one him, how about being world champ in 4 different decades, 90s, 00s, 10s and 20s. That’s the kind of record he likes.
The bookies are only delighted no doubt
Ronnie was tuned out still the best player ever
Jekyll n HIDE! with Ronnie. The jungle beckons!
Match fixing
Truth, if ever it was needed, that it’s a game of pot luck.
Possibly a bit complacent?
If he is Hendry’s nephew, is it Hendry’s sister’s child because I read somewhere that the talent comes down through the female line ( and men think they’re superior, huh)
@Virgil: hendry’s ex-wife’s sister’s son…..I think
Ronnie sold out. The shots he played in frame 17 and 18 suggest he wanted to lose. Pink in frame 17 was biggest miss in history.
@El_Monikerinho: agree.. could be protest going on as a few big names folding easily
Lambeth walk perhaps?
Just needed the towel over the face. I’m sure he would have forfeited if no heavy fine and points deductions.