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McGlinchey wins first match back in professional ranks

Thursday, 15 July 2010

Dermott McGlinchey, with his wife, Noleen, father, Dessie, and parents-in-law, Patrick and Kathleen, at the civic reception held in his honour by Strabane District Council to acknowledge his achievement of becoming Northern Ireland Snooker champion.SU2815

CASTLEDERG snooker star, Dermot McGlinchey, made a winning return to the professional ranks in Sheffield at the weekend, winning his first match in the Players Tour Championship (PTC).
He trailed 2-0 against Englishman, Ben Woolaston, but played consistently to rattle off the next four frames to progress to the last 64 where he lost 4-1 to established Scottish professional, Marcus Campbell.
Despite losing in the second round of the competition, the reigning Northern Ireland champion was delighted with his performance and was pleased to be reunited with some famous faces from his previous professional battles.
“I did well to win the first match, but I lost the second one. It was nice to win my first match because I'm under no illusions about how difficult it is over there," commented McGlinchey.
“I went 2-0 down in my first match and I would have been very disappointed to have lost it but I played some very solid snooker to come back, it was a great result.
“I feel I was unlucky to lose the second match but my opponent, Marcus Campbell, played very well and he made a break of 78 and one of 88, so there was nothing I could do about it.
“Overall I was very happy because there are players who can go through the whole season without winning a match, that's how high the standard is. Former World Champion, Mark Williams, won the first PTC event and Mark Selby won this one, that's the level of players I'm competing against.
“It's great to be involved and I got to speak to Shaun Murphy [2005 World Champion who Dermot beat in the Northamptonshire native's first professional match in 1998]. It was nice to see all the old faces again," he concluded.
McGlinchey will be back in action again in August when he takes part in the qualifying process for the Shanghai Masters, and competes in the third Players Tour Championship event.
Civic reception
The Castlederg cueist received a civic reception from Strabane District Council on Tuesday of last week to mark his achievement of regaining the Northern Ireland Championship earlier this year.
Speaking at the reception, councillor Michaela Boyle, chairperson of Strabane District Council said: "Dermot, it is obvious that you have excelled in snooker and no one can obtain such impressive accolades without great skill and dedication.
“I have no doubt of the pride that your achievements have brought to you and your family but please also be assured that your achievements have brought great pride to your community in Castlederg and to the entire district.
“On behalf of the council I extend our sincerest congratulations to you for all your achievements to date. I have no doubt that you will have a promising career ahead of you and I wish you continuing successes."

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