missing out

vag77 · 10-03-2009 10:30PM #1

ken doherty beaten in the world championships qualifiers 10-5 by gerard greene

celticfc · 11-03-2009 02:56PM

Thats his season over, literally.

He hasn't qualified for the last two tournaments of the season (China & Worlds) and he is relegated from the top 32.

How has this happened?

armchairninja · 11-03-2009 08:27PM

Lack of interest on Ken's behalf?

He seems to be lining up his exit from the game anyway, starting to burrow his way into a permanent place on BBC's panel, surely thats an easier way for him to be at the tournaments, without the effort of having to practice endlessly etc, he still gets the craic with the other players etc., I know we say that top end players don't look at things this way, and that its always about the competing, and that they're hard wired to win etc. etc., but it could be one way to explain his almost over night drop in form and fall from the top end of the game:rolleyes:

Glenman · 12-03-2009 10:55AM

In his post match interview on Tuesday he said that he would be back next year but that his days in the game were numbered. I think that he has the ability to get back into the top 16 but it would take a serious effort on his part to do it

celticfc · 12-03-2009 11:41AM

He just doesnt seem up for the challenge though.

There's no question he has the ability.

armchairninja · 16-03-2009 04:50PM

Could also be a lack of interest in having to go back to the cubicles after all them years on the main stage, that sort of thing is bound to have an effect on a person, and bring them to a stage where they have to ask "is it really worth it?", realistically, what are kens chances of ever lifting a World Title again, especially with this new breed of younger player coming up through the ranks now, its going to be tougher than ever for the "old guard" to remain solid

consultech · 19-03-2009 11:26AM

He's done in fairness, and fair play for a long and successful career. He might have the odd spike in form and reach the later stage of a couple of tourneys in the next couple of years but Ken is probably done and dusted. It's VERY difficult to drag yourself into a club 5/6 hours a day and do it when you've been at it for 25 odd years, and this shows in his game nowadays. Probably ever since Jason's closed? Ken has a few million in the bank (he's very tight/sensible with his money) and with the ever-less attractive monetary rewards attached to snooker you prob cant blame him for his likely loss of interest nowadays. Factor in his potential deals with BBC and the effort:reward ratios kinds speak for themselves.

The other Irish lads also look as if they're running out of time also. Fergal and Mick Judge are still outside the 32, probably in around the 40's for next year as both have failed to qualify for the worlds again this year. They're both also pushin late 30's so will be interestin to see how they do in next year or two.

missing out

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