world snooker championship

“When Jimmy comes to Ireland he likes to have the crack. But Alex… Alex was crazy!”

“Make a bridge hand,” he orders. “Get your elbow flat on the table.” I hastily comply. He nods. “That’s better.” Seamus Brereton has been playing snooker competitively since the age of sixteen. In his day, he represented Ireland and got to know many of the sport’s biggest names.

Today he competes on the Over-40s circuit and coaches youngsters in his native Edenderry. “The parents know the kids are safe when they’re in the club. It’s not like years ago where snooker halls had a bad reputation. Those days are long gone.”

Gone perhaps, but not forgotten. When snooker legend Jimmy White visits Ireland, Seamus still acts as his driver, practice partner and unofficial minder. “When Jimmy comes to Ireland, he likes to have the crack. He enjoys himself. But Alex… Alex was crazy.” Read the rest of this entry »