Doherty out of Irish Masters

Ken Doherty’s search for his “holy grail” ended in customary failure at the Failte Irish Masters in Dublin today.

But even by his own disappointing standard in his home tournament, Doherty’s 5-0 second-round defeat by Gerard Greene is his lowest point.

And now the 1997 world champion’s place in the top 16 for next season is in serious jeopardy.

“I’m shell-shocked to be honest,” said Doherty, whitewashed in a ranking event for only the fourth time in his career and his first for five years.

“It’s a real hammer blow to lose and to lose 5-0 was the nail in the coffin.

“I should have won the first frame but after that Gerard never really missed, that’s the type of player he is. He’s well capable of blowing you off the table.”

Doherty has only ever won the Irish Masters once but even that 1998 triumph was a hollow victory as he was handed it by default after champion Ronnie O’Sullivan failed a drugs test.

Northern Ireland international Greene, Kent-raised but with Belfast-born parents, became the first player into the quarter-finals of the £250,000 event.

Victory took him just 86 minutes and contained breaks of 74 and 75. Doherty amassed only 62 points in the whole contest.

“I’ve just got to keep plodding on,” added Doherty, down to 15th on the provisional rankings after starting the season seventh.

“There are two tournaments left and I’ve got to try and get some confidence from somewhere.”

Greene next meets world number one Ronnie O’Sullivan or Barry Hawkins for a place in the semi-finals.

He is guaranteed £7,000 and delighted to have recovered from his own poor start to the season.

“I knew I’d beaten Ken before and played well against him. So, I took that into the match,” said Greene, grateful to manager Mark Ballard for showing faith in him.

“He’s supported me this season and even bought me a new table to practice on at my club in Maidstone so it’s nice to replay him back with a win like this,” added the world number 26.