Snooker: Doherty through to Irish Masters semis

Ken Doherty provided a much-needed boost for the home supporters by reaching the semi-finals of the Irish Masters.

Doherty defeated Stephen Lee 6-4 to record the first victory in the tournament for an Irish player since he reached the final in 1998.

"It was such a big win for me in front of the home fans," said Doherty.

"I went into the match under a lot of pressure but the weight has lifted a bit now. I think I've laid the ghosts of the past few years to rest with that win."

The match was a scrappy affair but there were a few highlights.

Lee made the highest break, 90, in the fourth frame to draw level at 2-2 and sunk pink and black to force a respotted black in the fifth after Doherty had lost position on the pink while in on a break of 64.

But Lee attempted to clip the extra black in and left it close to a corner pocket, gifting Doherty an easy pot for 3-2.

Doherty also won the sixth to lead by two frames but Lee closed to 4-3 when Doherty was called for five successive misses while snookered on the green in the seventh.

Lee then knocked in a break of 69 to draw level at 4-4 and threaten to spoil the night for the capacity Irish crowd.

Doherty's 62 in the ninth restored his advantage at 5-4 and he won a disjointed 10th to secure victory.

"It was a war of attrition," said Doherty, who now faces Peter Ebdon for a place in the final.

"The snooker wasn't fantastic but it was a gritty performance and important that I won for the fans.

"Hopefully they will come back in droves to support me in the semi-finals and I can turn it on a bit more."