Two times world snooker semi-finalist

<p><author>By Billy Weir</author><br />
<em>Thursday, 31 July 2008<br />
</em><a href="http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk">www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk</a><em><br type="_moz" />
</em></p>
<p>It wasn’t so much Top Man as Pot Men as Belfast’s Castle Court provided an unusual backdrop to the snooker season’s first ranking tournament.</p>
<p>And two men who have been huge supporters of the Northern Ireland Trophy since its inception in 2005 were back in town yesterday to help launch this year’s event.</p>
<p>But it’s not bargains that Joe Swail and Ken Doherty will be looking to pick up in the next 12 months - it will be vital ranking points to get them back into the top 16 of the game.</p>
<p>The two men from either side of the border, judging on the crowds that thronged around them yesterday as bemused lunch-time shoppers looked on, will not lack for support when the action gets underway on August 24.</p>
<p>Changing the date of the competition to facilitate world snooker’s ever more demanding fixture list has meant the return of the Northern Ireland Trophy, won by Stephen Maguire last year, to the summer.</p>
<p>But Belfast man Swail and Dublin native Doherty are confident that the foundations are now strong enough for the tournament to flourish.</p>
<p>“I think it has established itself now,” said Swail.</p>
<p>“In the first couple of years people didn’t really know what to make of it but last year it was a great success.</p>
<p>“I got a run of a few matches and Mark Allen got to the semi-final so that helped promote the event.</p>
<p>“Then you have events like this to make people aware of what was going on and there has been an unbelievable turn-out.”</p>
<p>Certainly a Belfast man winning the event would put a few more bums on seats at the Waterfront Hall and that is Swail’s immediate aim.</p>
<p>“What better dream would it be than winning a ranking tournament in your hometown?,” he mused.</p>
<p>“I’m just looking forward to getting started again, going back to basics and who knows what might happen.”</p>
<p>One man who will want to put a spanner in Swail’s works i former World Champion Doherty.</p>
<p>The man known as the darlin’ of Dublin certainly has the Belfast buzz as the curtains go up on a new campaign.</p>
<p>“It’s great that we’re starting the season up here in Belfast. It’s a great tournament, it’s a great venue and with it so early in the year everyone will be a little bit rusty but I’m looking forward to it.</p>
<p>“The quarter-final has been the best I’ve done up here. Fergal O’Brien did very well getting to the final here last year and it’s something I’d love to win.</p>
<p>“It’s great tournament and a great venue and I played some exhibitions there with Alex Higgins, Stephen Hendry and Dennis Taylor.</p>
<p>“They were fantastic nights and the testimonial I did with Alex in 1997 was one of the best nights I’ve ever had and one of the best crowds I’ve ever played in front of, and I’ll never forget that.”</p>
<p>Another night centre stage at the Waterfront on finals night might just rival that though.</p>
<p>The Northern Ireland Trophy runs from August 24-31. Tickets are now on sale, starting at just £8.50 (concessions £5.50). To book your seats call 02890 334455 or log on to <a href="http://www.waterfront.co.uk/">www.waterfront.co.uk</a></p>

<p>Id like to thank everyone for their interest in my new website, the response has been fantastic! Keep returning to the site for updates on all my results and my views on what's going on in the snooker world!<br />
<br />
My first tournament of the year was the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast. The chance of playing in front of my home fans, my family and my friends is one I always relish. I was therefore bitterly disappointed to lose 5-4 to Mark Davies in the opening round. I created a few chances to nick it, but for the most part I struggled. Mark was the worthy winner in the end.<br />
<br />
Next it was onto the qualifiers for the Shanghai Masters and Grand Prix, held in Pontins Wales. I faced two of the most up and coming players in Judd Trump and Ricky Walden. To be honest I could have had easier draws, but I had chances and failed to take them. I paid the price by failing to make it through, losing both games 5-3! Ricky Walden proved his ability by actually winning the Shanghai Masters. He’s a good lad so it’s great to see him doing well.<br />
<br />
Snooker is a very frustrating game and sometimes you don’t get rewarded for good preparation; but it’s a long season with lots of tournaments still to look forward too and I’m sure with all your support ill be back to winning again!<br />
<br />
Keep up the support and ill keep you updated with all my news.</p>

<p>It was the gift of a £8 snooker cue from his parents Billy and Josephine at the age of 11 which ignited Joe's enthusiasm for snooker, a passion which continued throughout his teenage years and which saw him experience huge success on the Irish amateur scene. Joe credits his early snooker inspiration as Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins, a fellow Ulsterman from Sandy Row, Belfast, who twice achieved World Champion. He attributes his decision to take up snooker partly to Higgins, acknowledging him as his hero during his formative years.</p>
<p><a href="about.php">View Joe Swail's biography</a></p>

<p>Welcome to the only official Joe Swail website. I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you for all the support I have received from those who have followed my career. The new site has been designed by Green17 Creative.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.green17creative.com">www.green17creative.com</a></p>

Joe and Ken are courting NI snooker glory

But it’s not bargains that Joe Swail and Ken Doherty will be looking to pick up in the next 12 months - it will be vital ranking points to get them back into the top 16...

A personal message from the Outlaw...

Id like to thank everyone for their interest in my new website, the response has been fantastic! Keep returning to the site for updates on all my results and my views on what's going...

Joes Biography now online

It was the gift of a £8 snooker cue from his parents Billy and Josephine at the age of 11 which ignited Joe's enthusiasm for snooker, a passion which continued throughout his...

Official Joe Swail site goes live

Welcome to the only official Joe Swail website. I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you for all the support I have received from those who have followed my...

World Snooker News

Events for Joe

24th - 31st August 08	Northern Ireland Trophy Waterfront Hall, Belfast
5th Sept	Qualifier Shanghai Masters... Pontins Prestatyn, Wales
29th Sept - 5th Oct 08	Shanghai Masters Shanghai Grand Stage, Shanghai...
11th - 19th Oct 08	Royal London Watches Grand...
27th - 30th October	Bahrain Championship Qualifiers... Pontin's, Prestatyn

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Joe and Ken are courting NI snooker glory

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