O'Sullivan cruises to title

Ronnie O’Sullivan cruised to a 9-1 win over Barry Hawkins in the Kilkenny Irish Masters final to claim the Paul Hunter Trophy.

The Rocket was not at his sparkling best at the Ormonde Hotel, but having led 7-1 after the afternoon session, never looked back as he claimed the €20,000 winner's cheque.

Having pocketed a maximum 147 break yesterday in his 6-5 semi-final win over Scotland’s John Higgins, this season’s SAGA Insurance Masters champion took home €2,000 in additional prize-money for the competition’s highest break prize.

“I should have gone 2-0 down, but I got into my stride in the fifth frame and played well,” said O’Sullivan, who was presented with his trophy by Paul Hunter’s widow Lyndsey.

“It’s fantastic to play in Ireland. It’s a great place to come because you get great support. The Irish love their snooker.

“All the players were depressed when the ranking event over here got cancelled, but hopefully this is the start of many more tournaments.”

Hawkins, the world number 12, started the better and pinched the opening frame of the match 62-49.

But from there on in it was O’Sullivan who powered his way over the winning line.

Hawkins had a 70 break in the second frame, but the Chigwell potter won it by a point to level the match.

The next two frames were won without any breaks of note, before the 31-year-old found his potting form.

Breaks of 57, 60 and 122 made sure of a five-frame cushion, before the last frame of the afternoon went O’Sullivan’s way 66-7.

The onslaught did not stop when the players resumed to conclude their best-of-17- frame match.

O’Sullivan gave his supporters plenty to shout about with a superb 138 clearance in the penultimate frame of the evening, which he followed with an 80 break to claim this third title of the season.

“Ronnie’s a superb player. He just got stronger and stronger,” said Hawkins, a former Grand Prix semi-finalist.

“It was a hard day at the office. At 8-1 down I wanted him to finish me off because I wanted to get to the bar.

“It was a scrappy match and I just didn’t get going. I couldn’t buy a win before I came here this week, but hopefully this win kick-starts my season.”