Michael Judge defeated fellow Irishman Fergal O’Brien 4-2 in the third LLP Solicitors World Seniors Championship qualifying event to book his place at the Crucible Theatre in May.
The victory means 2019 UK Seniors champion will return to the Crucible following a one-year absence from the LLP Solicitors World Seniors Championship, having last played at the 2022 event.
The qualifying event, held in Carlow, Ireland, saw twenty-eight players from the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland competing for a coveted spot at the most famous venue in the sport.
Judge, who made three appearance at the Crucible Theatre during his professional career, began his campaign with comfortable 3-1 victories over fellow countrymen James Darcy and Dylan Rees.
The 48-year-old then whitewashed Englishman Neal Jones before another comfortable victory over Tony Corrigan saw him book his place in the final.
On the opposite side of the draw, veteran professional O’Brien was in rampant form as he dropped just two frames on his way to the last four, with a stunning break of 135 completing a 4-1 quarter-final victory over Neil Craycraft. Despite losing the opener in the semi-final, a 4-2 defeat of Englishman Matt Wilson then set up a final meeting with Judge.
The final was a high-qualify affair that featured four half-centuries in six frames, but with breaks of 66, 68 and 71 it was Judge who secured his place at the showpiece event of the World Seniors Snooker calendar.
England’s Gary Filtness was victorious in the Super Seniors 3 event, open to all entrants over-55 years old, which was held alongside the main LLP World Seniors Championship qualifier in Carlow, Ireland.
Filtness, who was eliminted in the last eight of the qualifying event, whitewashed John Maher in the Super Seniors quarter-final before defeating Northern Ireland’s Gregory Cooke to reach the final.
There, he would meet John McCarthy, who had beaten Keith Thomas 2-1 to reach the Super Seniors title match.
Filtness, who reached the last 16 of the 2022 World Seniors Championship, proved too strong in the final and ran out a 2-0 victor to secure the title.
The third LLP Solicitors World Seniors Championship qualifying event takes place this weekend between Friday 23 February and Sunday 25 February in Carlow, Ireland.
Twenty-eight players from the United Kingdom and Ireland, including notable names such as Fergal O’Brien, Michael Judge and Patrick Wallace, will battle it out over the weekend aiming to secure a coveted spot at the Crucible Theatre for the World Seniors Championship in May.
Snooker, Billiards Ireland are delighted to be chosen by World Seniors Snooker to host a World Seniors Snooker Championship qualifier from 23rd-25th February 2024.
” Play will start no earlier than 5pm on Friday 23rd Feb”
ENTER NOW
The winner of this senior’s event will receive a place at the famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield against the stars of the game for the 2024 LLP Solicitors World Seniors Snooker Championship from the 8th to the 12th May.
Talbot Hotel – Carlow
22nd €95.00 single and €115.00 double.
23rd and 24th we can offer €120.00 single and €140.00 double
Players need to contact – reservations@talbothotelcarlow.ie or +353 (0)59 91 53000 to make a bookings.
The seniors cut off is Over 40 on or before 23rd Feb 2024.
There will also be a World Super Seniors event on Sunday 25th February at the SBI HQ in Carlow for prize money and ranking points. The super seniors cut off is Over 55 on or before 25th Feb 2024.
Open to all SBI Members
These events are open to all our members, and it promises to be an amazing event with leading players from around the world travelling to Ireland in search of the dream ticket of playing the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield so don’t miss out and all the links are below to enter.
Closing Date
The Closing dates is February the 16th at Noon for both events. The TD will be Paul from WSS.
Seniors Event
All players will need to secure a 2023/24 World Seniors Tour Membership to participate.
Following the success of the first Mr Vegas Seniors event, the “concept” moves to Ireland! Indeed the Irish fans will have the opportunity to attend the second Seniors Mr Vegas event “live” in no other than the the iconic Goffs arena … and support their very own Ken Doherty and Fergal O’Brien! I suppose that Denis Taylor will count as “Irish” under the circumstances as well.
The event will be played under the “900” format:
Each match consists of just one frame
Each frame lasts (maximum) 900 seconds ie 15 minutes
There is a 20-second shot clock in operation
Players must hit a cushion or pot a ball with each shot
Any foul will give the offender’s opponent ball-in-hand
This event will be broadcast live on Channel 5 for UK and Irish viewers.
Goffs is really a special arena. Its atmosphere is unique. The fans literally surround the circular playing arena. There is no hiding place. It’s a pressure cooker! Thrill guaranteed!
The 2023 Mr Vegas was a huge success. We knew this already. The feedback on social media and the players’ reactions told us the story. But there is more …
Don’t forget that this was a first snooker event on Channel 5. That’s very, very encouraging.
The WPBSA World Seniors Tour 
