Doherty Hails Six Reds World Championship

Ken Doherty believes the first Six Reds World Championship will catch the imagination of the snooker world.

The Dubliner is among the organisers for the new tournament, which will be staged at the INEC, Killarney next month.

It features a host of star names, including Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Steve Davis, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby. Twelve members of the game’s elite top 16 have so far confirmed their participation.

And Doherty, who won the 15 red world title at the Crucible, Sheffield in 1997, thinks the short form version of the game will be a winner.

“It’s fantastic that this is coming to Ireland,” he said.

“It’s a different sort of the game to what people are used to - fast and furious. Some snooker matches can go on for hours but six reds is quick-fire and entertaining.

“It’s something a bit different and I know all the players are looking forward to it.”

Six reds snooker is played using the same rules as the established game but with nine fewer reds. It has been described as snooker’s version of Twenty/20 cricket.

A field of 160 players from as far afield as Brazil, India and the United Arab Emirates will be split into 32 groups of five with the top three from each progressing to the knockout phase.

The tournament sees a return of big time snooker to Ireland following the last staging of the Irish Masters in 2005.

“It’s great that Ireland is staging the first Six Reds World Championship,” Doherty said.

“And the field is properly international, open to professionals and amateurs.

“It’ll be cut-throat because with nine fewer reds than normal, one mistake can cost you a frame.

“But it promises to be a very competitive event. We have 12 of the world’s top 16 players already confirmed and are talking to the others so it will be a high quality line up.”

The event runs from December 15 to 18 at the INEC, Killarney.  Entry is free for the first two days with tickets costing €10 on the final two days.