Ronnie O’Sullivan has saluted the sports psychiatrist he turned to at a time of need after rediscovering his passion for snooker and his best form.

KEVIN BARRY’S new novel about a futuristic west of Ireland ruled by violence and fear, ‘City of Bohane’, is drawing superlatives like a magnet attracts iron filings, and the genial Limerick native doesn’t hold back when it comes to his own interest in sport.

Australia was toasting its first Crucible champion tonight after Neil Robertson ground out an 18-13 victory over Graeme Dott.

NEIL Robertson acted the part of the villain at the Crucible Theatre last night as he closed in on the kill against Steve Davis.

Steve Davis was bracing himself for a clash with reigning Crucible king John Higgins after becoming the oldest winner of a match at the Betfred.com World Championship for 21 years.

Ding Junhui moved to within touching distance of a place in the second round of the Betfred.com World Championship today.

Stephen Hendry became the oldest player to make a 147 break at a ranking tournament as he landed a £157,000 (€174,000) bonus at the Betfred.com World Championship.

Stephen Hendry rolled back the years with a magical maximum to underline his return to form at the Betfred.com World Championship.

John Higgins defeated Marco Fu 6-4 in a see-saw battle to progress to the quarter-finals of the Masters at Wembley.

Joe Perry and Ali Carter are still deadlocked as their 888.com World Championship semi-final heads for a thrilling climax at the Crucible Theatre.

John Higgins held off a remarkable fightback by Mark Selby to win his second World Championship crown in the early hours of this morning in Sheffield.

MARK WILLIAMS became the first Welshman to make a maximum 147 break as he booked his place in round two of the Embassy World Championship yesterday.

Mark Williams became the first ever Welshman to make a maximum 147 break as he booked his place in round two of the Embassy World Championship this afternoon.

Snooker hailed a new star at Wembley today as Chinese teenager Ding Junhui made a stunning debut in the British Masters.

Peter Ebdon’s defence of his Embassy World Championship title hangs in the balance after another tense session with Paul Hunter in Sheffield.

Mark Williams has become only the second player to return to number one in snooker’s world rankings.

Former world champion Alex Higgins claims snooker is corrupt and players take money to throw matches for bookmakers.

Snooker chiefs have pledged to get tough with fans who allow mobile phones to go off during play after Stephen Hendry was distracted when missing out on the magical 147 for the second time in four days in the Embassy World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s first phone call today will be to his behind-bars father Ronnie senior after he secured his first Embassy World Championship crown in Sheffield last night.

Steve Davis' hopes of more world championship glory ended when he lost to Andy Hicks in qualifying.