Outsiders off to good start in Irish Masters

A week before England take on Ireland for the RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam decider in Dublin, Nick Dyson and Robert Milkins ensured home eyes were not smiling in the Citywest Irish Masters.

Mancunian Dyson followed his Gloucester-based compatriot into the final stages by defeating former British Open champion Fergal O’Brien 5-2.

It was Dyson’s first-ever victory over O’Brien after the Dubliner had led 2-0 including a total clearance of 129 on his first visit to the table.

The world number 62 now plays Joe Perry for a place in the last 16.

“I threw away the second frame and I should have lost the third as well,” said Dyson, 33. “I played okay but I didn’t play as well as I can do. The problem is you want to do so well that it can be detrimental to your play.”