Harold knocks Doherty out of Irish Masters

Local interest in the Irish Masters came to an end last night when home favourite Ken Doherty lost his first-round match against Dave Harold 5-4.

Joe Swail and Graeme Greene also lost their opening matches yesterday, while Michael Judge and Fergal O'Brien failed to even qualify for the competition.

Elsewhere last night, Paul Hunter progressed with a 5-4 win over Stephen Hendry, while Matthew Stevens came through a final-frame decider to beat Joe Perry by the same scoreline.