Snooker: Higgins wins Irish Masters

John Higgins is the new Irish Masters snooker champion after beating Peter Ebdon 10-3 in a one-sided final.

Higgins, who has shown fine form throughout the tournament, comfortably finished Ebdon off in the evening session of the best of 19 tournament final at the CityWest Hotel in Dublin.

It is the second Irish Masters title for the Scot in just three years. He defeated compatriot Stephen Hendry 9-4 in the final two years ago.

Higgins picks up the €100,000 first prize, along with a further €5,000 for achieving the tournament's highest break of 140, scored in his semi-final match against Matthew Stevens.

Ebdon, himself Irish masters champion back in 1995, picks up the runner-up prize of €38,000.