'It's where you want to be when you're growing up' - Limerick's Jack O'Brien on 'Snooker Showdown' appearance

SHANAGOLDEN native Jack O'Brien recently competed in the 'Snooker Shootout' at the Tower Circus in Blackpool where he faced former World Champion Stuart Bingham. 

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The 18-year-old says it was 'always' snooker from an early age, despite playing other sports growing up. 

"It was always snooker from a young age. I started playing pool at the age of three with my father at home. I used to bring a bucket with me around the edge of the table so I'd be able to see. I did used to play football, soccer and hurling but I gave them up at an early age to play snooker.

O'Brien says he felt a 'love for it straight away' for the sport as he started to play regularly in Rathkeale aged nine. 

"I started playing snooker in Rathkeale when I was nine and I felt the love for it straight away. I won my first adult tournament there at nine years of age. I progressed to Limerick City then, St John's, and that is where I mainly play. I would play in Newcastle West also from time to time. 

He has competed in several national competitions where he has won U12, U14, U16 and U18 championship titles.

O'Brien also represents Ireland, competing in Malta, Albania and Wales. The 18-year-old also plays with his team members in Munster and All-Ireland tournaments. 

The Shanagolden native says sheer practise has gotten him to this point in his early snooker career. 

"It's down to pure practise, you have to put the hours in and I never got bored, I always enjoy practising.

"Before I started working I would have been doing two or three hours a day. You would also have tournaments up and down the country, All Ireland's, things like that, and they help you progress as a player. 

The teenager describes the 'massive excitement' that went with receiving the phone call informing him that he was to play in this month's 'Snooker Showdown.'

"It was just massive excitement when I got the call. I got a phone call from the World Snooker Tour about a month ago. There wasn't too long of a turnaround so I had to put the practise in.

"One of the main Irish coaches, PJ Nolan, contacted me to ask if I wanted to play because I have top ranking in U18s and U21s.

"There are eight amateurs that get picked for the tournament and there are 128 players which leaves the professional total at 120 for the tournament so it's a very high standard."

O'Brien says the day itself was 'amazing' despite coming out on the wrong side of his tie with 2015 World Champion Stuart Bingham.

"He's a World Champion! The whole experience was fantastic. It was amazing, it's where you want to be when you're growing up. Just seeing what goes on behind the scenes and in the practise room, it was amazing.

"Going out to play then, you hear your name called out and you're coming down to the table and there are people there wanting to take pictures and things. 

"I was just taking it all in as the day progressed. That's what I'm here for, there was no point in me getting nervous or anything like that and it was just brilliant."