Ireland’s Fergal O’Brien recorded his first ever 147 break in the Championship League on Thursday.
In the first frame of his round-robin tie with Mark Davis, O’Brien orchestrated the break in superb fashion, rarely out of position as he pocketed £500.
It wont be about the money whatsoever with O’Brien, though, as was evidently etched across his face as he punched the air in delight several times upon potting the final black.
The achievement is worth more to Dubliner, whose previous highest break in competitive play was a 143 way back in 1991.
At 43, O’Brien also becomes the oldest player to compile an official 147 – the 118th maximum in total that has now been made.
O’Brien gets quite a lot of stick because of his slow play – the 147 was completed in around 17 minutes – but nobody can question his personality and will to succeed.
This moment is a small token of reward for all of his almost three decades of hard graft on the pro tour.
Understandably, the feat affected his performances in the following frames and he lost his next six frames to finish bottom of Group 6.
Ali Carter topped the league and, after beating Davis 3-0 in the last four, duly went on to emerge victorious in his final against Dominic Dale.
The ‘Captain’ joins an elite band of names who are making up the Winners’ Group in March, his name now added to a list which already included Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Williams, Stephen Maguire and Mark Selby.
There is one more slot available and Group 7 will take place next week at Crondon Park.
But for now, you can enjoy watching Fergal O’Brien’s maximum moment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1pPpoPgRxM
