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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So he’s not going to Newcastle then
@Richard O’Brien: Thought he was a shoe-in for Derby County. Everything he needs there too.. sorry, except the bottomless pit of money.
@An Observer: your not suggesting that the reason he’s so successful is the cash he can flash are you. The citeh fans won’t like that
@Richard O’Brien: An awful lot more to management than money. Obviously he can buy whoever he wants but then he has to handle all those huge egos, keep them happy and get them playing for the team, which I think is the secret to his success. If it was just about money Mickey Mouse could be manager.
@ger o’ dwyer: thanks for the lesson and I don’t necessarily disagree but I think it takes a better manager to be successful without the cash
@Richard O’Brien: careful now, in the spirit of the 21st century we shouldn’t take the piss out of minority groups.
Great to hear a man with extensive knowledge of the game commenting about how good a league the premiership is, a lot of haters out their saying the premier league is a joke, because only one or two teams can win it, which is not to far from the truth, but the overall competition for placing is brilliant and always throws up battles for the winners, top four, europa spots and relegation.
@Devilsavocado: I mean isn’t that the case for most of the top leagues in Europe?
@Devilsavocado: style of football lacking still. Too many foreigners. Should see if this year was a one off in terms of Europe, Spain has pretty much ruled the roost for a decade or more on the club and international scene. Best players like Hazard still know the best gravy. Lots love the hustle n bustle of the premier league but prob know little else.
Earth to Chippy!?