“There is a great buzz around the city, we love it” Snooker legend chats ahead of Tour Championship’s return

One of snooker’s all-time greats and now a leading TV pundit on the sport, Ken Doherty, is excited to return to Manchester for the Tour Championship, and has one very good reason for loving the city.

“Mulligans!” says Doherty in a flash when asked for his favourite spot. “They do a great pint of Guinness.”

Anyone who works backstage on the snooker tour can testify that Doherty, nicknamed the Darling of Dublin, can always be relied upon to find the best Irish bar in any location, be it in the UK, China or most other countries on the sport’s global circuit.

Ken Doherty

But the 1997 World Champion has a particular fondness for Manchester, which hosted the prestigious Tour Championship for the first time a year ago.

“There is a great buzz around the city, we love it there,” he said.

“It’s a hive of activity and people love snooker in Manchester. They were starved of a professional tournament for a long time so it’s fantastic we have one of the biggest ones there now. Last year the crowds were amazing and I think the Tour Championship is only going to be bigger this time.”

Tour Championship comes to Manchester

Running from March 31st to April 6th at the fabulous Manchester Central, the Tour Championship has an elite field, with only the best 12 players from the current season’s ranking list earning a place in the draw. Last year’s event was packed with the sport’s all-time legends, and was won by Mark Williams
who beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final after knocking our Judd Trump in the quarter-finals and Mark Allen in the semis.

This year, Williams is on track to qualify and earn the chance to defend his title. Others on target to make it to Manchester to battle for a top prize of £150,000 include Trump, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy, Ding Junhui, Mark Selby and World Champion Kyren Wilson.

Doherty, one of only four non-British players in snooker history to win the World Championship, is still playing on the pro tour at the age of 55, but admits his heyday has long gone.

He is still a familiar face at all of the biggest events, as an expert analyst and commentator for ITV and BBC. The Tour Championship will receive extensive live coverage from ITV and Doherty will not miss a moment.

“Nothing compares to playing, that buzz is not replaceable,” said the popular Irishman.

“Sometimes I’m envious of the players, when they come into the arena, especially when there’s a big crowd and atmosphere. But being involved on the television side is the next best thing because you’re right in the middle of it, either in the studio, the commentary box or filming in the arena. I love being a part of it and I still get that buzz, just not as big as it was when I was playing in these major events.”

Trump and Wilson to win it?

So far this season, Trump and Wilson have been the outstanding players- they have won three titles each and they are ranked first and second in the world. Asked to predict who will lift the title in Manchester, Doherty added: “Those two, Judd and Kyren, have got to be the favourites, they have been a cut above the rest so far this season.

“But Mark Selby has come on very strong in recent weeks and Shaun Murphy played so well to win the Masters. We haven’t seen much of Ronnie O’Sullivan this season but you never know when he might make a late charge. The big players want to win the big events, and there are only a few which are bigger than the Tour Championship. Plus it’s the last event before we head to the World Championship, so everyone wants to be in form.”

Tickets for the World Snooker Tour Championship in Manchester

Tickets for the Tour Championship are on sale now, starting at just £25, and there are also fabulous VIP packages available. It’s great day out for people of all ages as there is a Fanzone where official coaches can teach you how to play snooker and you can try it on a professional standard table for free!

For all details please click here