Murphy meets Maguire in semis

Shaun Murphy and Stephen Maguire will play each other in the first of this year’s Northern Ireland Trophy semi-finals.

Former world champion Murphy held his nerve to clinch a 5-3 quarter-final victory over Peter Ebdon, while former UK champion Maguire impressed in a 5-2 victory over Australian Neil Robertson.

Murphy beat Ebdon 5-3 in the quarter-finals of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix last month – and it was understandable the Rotherham potter was delighted with another victory over the 2002 world champion.

“It’s very pleasing to come through, I felt it was a good match,” reflected Murphy. “It was a bit scrappy here and there, but it was a good match.

“I had a good century, a couple of good breaks and some important contributions at big moments of the match.”

The world number three missed a golden chance to clinch the contest 5-2, but uncharacteristically missed a routine red to a corner pocket.

“I don’t what happened there,” added the adopted Yorkshireman. “That’s a lesson to everyone, you have to be committed to the shot 100%.

“I was on the shot wondering whether I needed two reds which were together. Sometimes the reason you miss isn’t a technical fault, literally my mind wasn’t on potting on the ball and getting on the black.”

Ebdon, the reigning UK champion, had one break over 50 – a run of 81 in the second frame to draw level at 1-1.

But that was never going to be good enough to beat Murphy who, with breaks of 50, 113, 56 and 69 deservedly booked his place in his seventh ranking event semi-final.

Meanwhile, Glaswegian Maguire proved too strong for last season’s former player Neil Robertson.

The world number 10 impressed with breaks of 40, 62, 50, 58, 51 and 105 to make sure of his place in the last four.

Robertson had a top break of 83, but Maguire won the seventh and deciding frame with his cool century.

“Neil’s a brilliant player, but he was missing his long pots,” said Maguire. “He was letting me in too easily, but any other day he could have won 5-2.

“It was a great win for me. I had good breaks in every frame.”

Despite victory the Milton-based professional said: “I still need to improve. I was more relaxed than usual, I felt comfortable and should have won the match 5-1.

If it had gone 4-3 I think I’d have started twitching, but I’m not going to win the tournament unless I start winning frames at one visit.

“I’m getting fed up of semi-finals, I need to win this tournament. I’m desperate to get through this semi-final.”