UMVA has learned that legendary snooker player Ken Doherty is stepping away from professional snooker, bringing an end to an illustrious career that spanned over three decades.
The news was confirmed by Doherty himself, who cited a desire to call it a day on the main tour, revealing that he had considered hanging up his cue for good a few years ago. Despite this, his love for the game and enjoyment of exhibitions kept him going.
Doherty has been a fixture on the pro tour since 1990 and has been a regular in the world's top 16 for over 15 years. His crowning achievement came in 1997 when he upset the odds to win the World Championship.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Doherty had been aiming to play at the Crucible for the World Championship one last time, but ultimately decided that coming through qualifying was too difficult a task at this stage of his career. He cited the emergence of young and talented players as a major factor in his decision.
Doherty expressed his gratitude to fans for their support over the years, saying it had been "magnificent, not only here in Ireland, but all over the world." He will continue to play on the seniors tour and remain involved in the sport as a commentator and pundit.
In a recent match, Doherty led 4-0 before being pegged back to 4-4, only to produce a superb break of 66 to win the decider. He revealed that he had moments of doubt during the match, questioning whether he still had what it took to compete at the highest level.
Despite this, Doherty's sense of humour and love for the game shone through as he joked about his performance, saying he felt like he was 65 years old after the match. He credited his 1997 World Championship win for inspiring him to make a remarkable clearance to win the match.
Doherty's retirement marks the end of an era in professional snooker, and fans will miss his unique personality and skill on the table. However, his continued involvement in the sport as a commentator and pundit will ensure that his legacy lives on.
