The Rocket who is 5 time World champion stormed into a 8-1 frame lead after just 82 minutes of the match in the first session on Sunday. He needed just two more frame and he returned to get them on Monday to wrap up a record breaking win and to smash Shauna Murphy’a record of 149 minutes.

Thepchaiya had the chance to prolong the defeat in the second session on Monday but he missed an easy enough red to let O’Sullivan in to make a clearance of 93. He just needed one frame to secure a place in Round 2 against Ding Junhui. O’Sullivan made two further breaks of 41 and 48 in that final frame to secure the win. Speaking after the match O’Sullivan said, “I’m not really bothered by records – I stopped bothering about records when I reached them and they didn’t really give you that buzz for very long”.

O’Sullivan caused controversy last week when he said that players were treated as “lab rats” over the decision to have a limited crowd at the venue. However, he seemed a bit more relaxed around the situation when asked, he said,” I prefer it – I don’t have to deal with the pressure and expectation of the crowd and getting in and out of the venue.”

The World Snooker tour have also announced a new schedule for events as China will not be allowed host any sporting events till 2021. This will mean the Shanghai Masters, the International Championship and World Open will now be played at a later date due to the Covid 19 pandemic. This means that UK tournament and European have been brought forward. The Championship League will be played now across three legs in September and October and will become a ranking event.

The European Masters will now take place in January. The Shoot Out will take place between October 29th and November 1st. This was held in February previously. The Champion of Champions competition will then run from November 2nd to November 8th. All events in the UK will remain as normal apart from the Welsh Open which will take place before the turn of the year. The UK Championship will remain as scheduled with the final on December 8th.

Of course with the pandemic still ongoing the venues have to be confirmed due to the  uncertainty over when spectators will be permitted to return. The Chairman of World Snooker Barry Hearne said, “In recent months there has been uncertainty for all sports in terms of future events, but we have worked alongside all of our partners to find solutions”. “Our players and fans will be thrilled to see that we have a packed schedule for the first half of 2020-21”.

The post Ronnie breaks record at Crucible appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Carty beat former World Number 1 and world champion Roberston 3-1 in Sunday’s opening match. He then drew with Kurt Maflin 2-2. Neil Robertson drew with Doherty 2-2, which then set an intriguing battle between Doherty and Carty to see who would progress to phase two. Ken needed a win, although a draw would have been good enough to see Carty through.

Carty won the first two frames of the match. However, the former 1997 World Champion, Doherty stormed into the games with a break of 90 to pull it back to 2-1. So, it came down to the final frame, a win for Doherty would see him through on a 2-2 draw, but a win for his opponent would obviously mean he would go through. Carty was 21 ahead with one red left on the table, Doherty needed a snooker and the remaining colours to sneak the frame. However, luck wasn’t to be on the Ranelagh man’s side as Carty fluked a brown which put the match beyond reach.

Speaking after the match, Carty said, “I got off to a really good start against Neil, quite surprisingly beat him. I know I am capable on my day but fortunately for me he struggled”. He continued, “I should have beaten Maflin really, I had a few good chances, and then against Ken I was in shreds towards the end. I don’t know how I missed the green but fortunately for me it didn’t matter.”

Barry Hawkins topped group 16. The English man advanced to the winner’s face which includes Judd Trump, Ryan Day and Dave Gilbert. Hawkins won his opening two games 3-0, he would also beat Anthony McGill 2-1.

The post Doherty exits Championship League appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

1. UFC 250, Las Vegas – Sunday, 01.00am, BT Sport 1 

Some big fights on the card in Las Vegas with Amanda Nunes v Felicia Spencer the main event on the night. Raphael Assuncao and Cody Garbrandt also face off in the octagon where something will have to give as both fighters are unbeaten, Other fights on the card include Sean O’Malley v Eddie Wineland, Neil Magny v Anthony Rocco Martin and Aljamain Sterling v Cory Sandhagen.

2. Live Racing Newmarket – Saturday 1.15pm, Racing UK

A big racing festival in Newmarket with the 1000 and 2000 Guineas down for decision. The 2000 takes place on Saturday, with the 1000 on Sunday. Ireland’s very own Aidan O’Brien will have a plethora of runners in the race. All eyes will be on the unbeaten Pinatubo for Godolphin though. On Sunday, the 1000 Guineas take place. Quadrilateral heads the market along with Love. The races takes place at 3.35pm. 

3. Snooker Championship League – Saturday, 4.00pm, ITV4

The competition is currently ongoing and with already some cracking games. More group games will take place on Saturday from the groups. The pick of matches include Stuart Bingham v Ricky Walden.

4. German Bundesliga – Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich – Saturday, 2.30pm, BT Sport 1

A win here for Bayern would not wrap up the title but will go a long way of doing so especially if Dortmund fail to win against Hertha Berlin later that evening. Bayern are 7 points ahead of their Bundesliga rivals at present. Leverkusen are in 5th place and are still in with a chance of getting a Champions League spot.

5. IndyCar Texas 600, Sunday, 01.00am, Sky Sports F1

If you love your racing then this is for you. Indycar returns to Texas early Sunday morning Ireland time. The president of Indycar said this week that the safety plan in place is thorough and that it will be a fantastic event.

The post 5 Live Sports to watch this weekend appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Strict guidelines will have to be adhered to. Players, match officials and contractors will be tested before entering the venue. Moreover,  they will be kept in isolation until results of those tests were known. BBC Report that players will have to give a negative test in order to fulfil the event. The main reason behind the choice of venue is because there is on site accomodation. This of course means the 64 players who are competing in the tournament could be contained there if something was to occur.

BBC Report that six other measures are in place to ensure the health and safety of all players, staff and officials. Social distancing methods will be in place right across the venue. Furthermore, players will be seated at least 2m apart at games, while handshakes will not be permitted. In addition, players will be required to use hand sanitiser before matches. Referees will also try to keep the 2m distance between themselves and players where possible. There will no access for guests of players and finally first aid personnel will be onsite at all times. The prize for the winner of the tournament is £30,000. The total prize fund is £200,000. . The winner will secure a place in the Champion of Champions in November also.

Barry Hearn has said that player safety will be a top priority when snooker returns. He said, “Players who have any doubts about their own welfare can rest assured that all precautions are being taken,”. Hearn continued,”I am confident that there is no other major sport which can meet health and safety criteria on isolation and social distancing as stringently as snooker can, so we are able to return more quickly than others.”

The post Snooker will return on June 1st in UK appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.