Dec 05,2024
Joe Shannon came agonisingly close to victory on the World Snooker Tour as he fell to defeat to Robert Milkins in the first round of the Snooker Shootout in Leicester.
The 14-year-old from Longford built a 42-1 lead but missed a black off the spot to give Milkins an opening.
The veteran Englishman reduced the lead by 20 points and was then handed another chance in the final two minutes of the one-frame match.
Milkins moved into a 45-42 lead and let the clock run down to ensure a narrow victory.
Shannon produced some excellent shots in the game and was unfortunate to be defeated.
A second Irish amateur features later today.
Joel Connolly, 17, from Belfast is among the eight wild-card picks by world governing body WPBSA. He is also an Irish underage champion.
Connolly will meet another Irish player with Cork’s Aaron Hill his opponent.
Elsewhere, defending champion Mark Allen made it through with Scotland's Ross Muir causing few problems in the opening clash of the tournament.
Jordan Brown takes on China's Si Jiahui later in the first round, while Ken Doherty withdrew from the tournament this morning due to illness.
Robbie McGuigan is the last of the Irish in action, facing Ricky Walden.
