Alex Higgins Interview

Everything was in place for what was to be the triumphant return of one of the most enigmatic entertainers in Irish sport – ‘The Hurricane’, Alex Higgins.

As the time drew near for the exhibition to take place between Higgins and that other snooker great, Jimmy ‘The Whirlwind’ White, the seats in the Commons Inn in Cork, quickly became full.

A resounding cheer echoed through the conference hall as those in attendance rose to their feet to welcome the comeback king, Alex Higgins. Cameras were still flashing and questions being asked of the Hurricane when a more deafening cheer greeted the arrival of the main attraction, Jimmy White.

White once commented: “There has only ever been Alex Higgins, myself and now Ronnie O’Sullivan who play the game the way it should be played with such excitement. I know the fans love it this way.” And as the crowds cheered and clapped in the Cork arena, it was clear that there was some truth in the assertion.

“I’m actually a little nervous …,” Alex said before the contest began, with intermittent glances in this reporter’s direction.

Not the words of the vibrant, arrogant ex-World Champion that Higgins once was; rather the words of a humbled man, glad, at the age of 54, to still be able to draw a large crowd for exhibition matches.

Whether the big crowd was a good or a bad thing was, of course, open to discussion. The financial benefits were obviously a plus but this was to be one of Alex’s first performances in front of a large crowd in several years and it was taking its toll on the former World Champion.

“I just hope to play well. He’s a tough nut to crack, Jimmy, these days; he’s playing very well.”

Jimmy, as ever, revelled in front of the large crowd and was delighted to speak with and give autographs to his fans.

Autographs usually don’t tell much about a man’s character but Alex’s certainly do – alongside his name he scribbles a ‘smiley face’ and flashes a brief smile of his own when handing back the piece of paper to a young fan.

Alex has a great deal of time and appreciation for his fans, as well as for the young players who pit their snooker talents against his on occasions like this.

“I’m looking forward to playing some of the local lads and that will loosen things up a bit.”

Having gladly posed for another photograph, Alex looked around the conference room in The Commons Inn. “There’s a nice warm reception and I just hope I can produce a little bit of something. I’m sure Jimmy will. I hope some of the local lads can make a few breaks as well.”

Only three days prior to the exhibition, Alex and Jimmy competed in Killarney at the Liam O’Connor Memorial Pro-Am Tournament and they met in the Last 16. Alex gave his view of that match and the tournament:

“I lost to Jimmy in the Last 16 but I had won my first three matches. It should have been a lot closer; I was at least 40 ahead in some of the frames but couldn’t tie the game up.”

When questioned about his most memorable moment, Alex was – unsurprisingly for a man who has been on the circuit as long as he has – unsure.

“There’s too many to choose from – winning the doubles with Jimmy, beating Jimmy in the semis, winning the World Championship and, of course, my baby being born.”

There’s no doubting that Higgins’s past is a colourful one, with the highs and lows well-documented. Though mistakes were made and chances squandered aplenty, the snooker legend professes to be unrepentant.

 “I have no regrets,” he said with a smile.

The simplest of the night’s tasks – a familiar rendition of his thoughts and memories to a reporter – completed, the greater task lay in wait – competing on a big stage.

The difference between The Crucible and The Commons couldn’t be greater, but the atmosphere and support was just as convincing as at any major tournament on the world circuit.

The exhibition began with Alex defeating two local players in one-frame matches, Derek O’Neill and Wayne Wharmby. Jimmy then went on to do the same.

His opening encounter with Adrian Loftus went back and forth and saw Adrian needing two snookers on the pink. Jimmy had numerous chances, including one with the pink ‘hanging’ over the pocket. White attempted to pot the ball by going around the table but was unfortunate to miss it. Jimmy also had a clear-cut chance on the black but rolled it towards the pocket to allow his opponent to claim a victory he was struggling to achieve.

The second match was against Martin Horrigan and saw the first of four centuries for ‘The Whirlwind’.

In the main event, the crowd got behind both players and, astonishingly, in some cases behind Higgins more so than the usual favourite White. However, it was all Jimmy White, and with three centuries and several more breaks over 50, he won the contest 5-0.

Due to the rapid and one-sided result of the match, the players decided to play one more frame. Jimmy broke from the back (spreading the reds) and Alex produced some tremendous snooker with a succession of long pots before ending unfortunately on 57. The break was met with as much enthusiasm from the crowd as a 147, with the fans (and Jimmy White) getting behind Alex on every single pot. Higgins had put the frame beyond White but the players continued to play on the remaining three colours.

Both players took on exhibition style shots such as placing the white on the wood and Alex even took a shot while looking out into the crowd – both were unsuccessful attempts but the fans were thoroughly entertained!

It may not have had the charisma, nor the centuries, for Higgins but it certainly had signs that maybe, just maybe, Alex could revive a career that was written off – along with himself – so many times before.