THE two greatest snooker players of the modern era will go head-to-head in front of the Belfast public next Monday night as the Snooker Legends tour visits the city again.
With 12 World Championship titles between them since 1990, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan have dominated the game for long periods of time in that era and, despite their contrast in styles, few fans who turn up at the Waterfront on Monday night would deny that they are the two finest exponents of the game.
Hendry retired from competitive action in 2012, 13 years after winning his seventh World title, but the Scot is so renowned for his competitive spirit and will-to-win that he will no doubt make sure he has re-discovered some of his match sharpness to take on his old foe.
“There is always a buzz whenever Ronnie is in town, we’ve had a great nights in Belfast before, this one won’t be any different,” said the Scot.
One of the biggest disappointments to snooker fans must be that the pair never met in a World final with O’Sullivan’s dominance of the game, which yielded five World crowns, beginning with his first World title in 2001, two years after Hendry’s last. ‘The Rocket’ relinquished his World crown in 2014 after back-to-backs in 2012 and 2013 but he will no doubt feel that it is still within him to match or even better Hendry’s seven titles over the next few seasons.
“Last time I played here the roar when I walked in gave me goose bumps, it may be the home of Alex Higgins but they treat me so well here,” said O’Sullivan of his visit
1985 World champion Dennis Taylor will be doing trick shots and commentary to keep everyone entertained, while one lucky audience member will get to partner a legend in a game of doubles and win a cue.
Ticket prices are £30, £25, £20 and £18, £15, £12, £10 and the action starts at 7pm. More information is available on www.snookerlegends.co.uk or www.waterfront.co.uk
