There are large chunks of last year of which this corner has absolutely no recollection. That it was down to delayed reaction to da’s death in June of 2021 is beyond question. There are sporting events which I cannot even remember taking place, never mind who won them.
Ask me what horse won the Irish or English Derby. Not a clue. Ditto Wimbledon, any of the Majors in Golf or who won the Heineken Cup in Rugby. For whatever reason, though, the World Snooker Championship was (slightly) different.
Most probably due to the fact that therein Ronnie O’Sullivan equalled the record of the iconic Stephen Hendry in taking the top prize in Sheffield for a seventh time. That is literally all which can be remembered of the entire tournament.
As is always the case during the few weeks of action in the World Championship, promises were made to watch more of the action of the green cloth. And, while in no way claiming to have turned into an aficionado or anything like it, a reasonable amount of both the Scottish and UK Open tournaments were taken in.
The Rocket is still the one to beat
You see, there is a poignant, sentimental connection to the UK Open. Back in 1985, my late grandfather Patsy Geoghegan passed away whilst watching the action therein in my uncle Austin’s house. But there is something different, magnetic almost, about the action in Sheffield.
Even after three days of play – at the time of typing – there have been countless talking points, on and off the table. Chief among which has to be the most unlikely of verbal spats which has erupted between the defending champion and Hossein Vafaei of Iran.
The World No. 23 is obviously no fan of O’Sullivan, but those close to him need to dispatch a gentle reminder in his direction to the effect of less said, soonest mended. The last thing this Rocket needs is more fuel.
All of the top sports stars up their game when they’re angry. John McEnroe… Need I say more? Peter O’Mahony, Gerwyn Price, David Clifford, you get the picture. Vafaei needs to realise that it would be most unwise to poke the bear.
Hossein Vafaei