Swail Defends Irish Title
Joe Swail will begin the defence of the title he won twelve months ago with a tough opening match against the 2007 winner Davy Morris when the Lucan Racing Irish Classic gets underway in Kildare .
The tournament host, Fergal O'Brien, will start his bid against former professional, Rodney Goggins from Wexford, currently ranked number one in the Irish amateur ranks.
O'Brien will be hoping to make it fourth time lucky, having appeared in the last three finals despite not having taken home the winner’s trophy.
Champion in 2008 winner, Ken Doherty, Mark Allen and Patrick Wallace are notable absentees this time around. The former world champion will be competing in the Sangsom 6 Red world championship in Thailand.
Terry Cassidy, of the title sponsors said, "Lucan Racing is delighted once again, to sponsor this popular tournament, that gives the Irish players valuable pre-season match practice which sharpens them up before the professional tour gets into full swing in August.
The rest of the eight-man field will comprise of Martin McCrudden, Robert Murphy, Michael Judge and Celbridge resident professional Joe Delaney.
Once again the Spa Hotel in Lucan are accommodating the players and hosting the traditional Saturday night dinner for all the players and their guests.
O'Brien, playing in his home club is the pre-tournament favourite, with the latest odds available with Lucan Racing.
