Snooker legend Jimmy White beat Rodney Goggins 4-1 to capture the Irish Seniors Masters title on Sunday at Goffs in County Kildare.
Jimmy won the Irish Masters at Goffs in 1985 and 1986. Photo credit: Monique Limbos
The “Whirlwind” lost the opening frame to home competitor Goggins before gradually taking control of the showdown.
After edging 2-1 in front, White scored a well-compiled 96 break in the fourth frame to move to within the brink of victory.
The 56 year-old duly wrapped up the success in the next frame, in doing so claiming the Alex Higgins Trophy.
The Irish Seniors Masters win adds to two previous triumphs in senior events for White, who also emerged with the silverware in the 2017 UK Seniors Championship and of course the 2010 World Seniors Championship.
White originally outplayed Willie Thorne in the quarter-finals with a 3-0 scoreline before narrowly getting passed Patrick Wallace in the last four.
The latter appeared set to conjure an upset when he established a 2-1 lead but a terrific 101 century break from White forced the deciding frame re-spot, a ball which he potted to secure his final berth.
The performance of Goggins, though, will be well remembered as one of the most successful players on the Irish domestic circuit proved his worth on centre stage.
The qualifier overcame 1997 world champion Ken Doherty in the last eight before a 3-0 semi-final beating of Joe Johnson.
The return to Goffs, one of snooker’s most iconic venues from the 1980s and 1990s, was well worth it again with great crowd numbers in attendance for the second Irish Seniors Masters.
Its coverage on FreeSports TV and across Facebook helped to further develop the ever-growing World Seniors Tour.
Well done to Irishman Rodney Goggins from Liam Mellows SC in Wexford on his fantastic run at the Seniors Irish Masters on Saturday & Sunday the 5th and 6th of January. This event was held in the most famous venue of them and the home of Irish Snooker, Goffs in Co. Kildare.
A big thank you to Monique Limbos for all the beautiful photos
First match of the event Rodney played Irish legend and former World Champion Ken Doherty and the Wexford man was up for the challenge and won 3-1 in front of a large audience for one of the greatest wins his life. Next he played another world champion Joe Johnson from England. Rodney played his best game and won 3-0 to set up the dream final against Jimmy White for the Alex Higgins Trophy.
This match was live on eir sport and via Facebook and all-around the world. Jimmy started well in the first frame but Rodney cleared up to go 1-0 up and send the full crowd in attendance wild but Jimmy White fought back with superb potting to beat Rodney 1-4 and claim the Alex Higgins Trophy.
The Republic of Ireland Billiards & Snooker Association would like to congratulate Rodney on his success in Goffs and wish him continued success for the rest of the season.
Rodney achieved something this week that will go down in the history of Snooker in Ireland and his Coach PJ Nolan said ‘’ he was so proud how Rodney prepared for this tournament and how he performed over the weekend. He was a great ambassador for his Family, Association, County and Country.
Three RIBSA Irish referees had the honour of referring in the event when Neil Shanahan, Shane Mason and Shane Corr joined up with Professional Referee Michaela Tabb and everyone were superb in the event.
Rodney would like to personally thank everyone who was in Goffs cheering him on over the weekend as he knows it helped him achieve this success.
Finally RIBSA would like to send a big thank you to Jason Francis & Staff from World Seniors on holding this event in Ireland and putting snooker back on National Irish tv and in the media.
Long may it continue we hope!!!!!
This was a great event, that I enjoyed very much. The atmosphere was superb, the Irish crowd, warm and passionate but alwais fair and knowledgeable.
Rodney would like to personally thank everyone who was in Goffs cheering him on over the weekend as he knows it helped him achieve this success.
The WPBSA World Seniors Tour 