Maguire has narrow lead

Scotland’s Stephen Maguire led Fergal O’Brien 4-3 after the first session of the Northern Ireland Trophy final.

The former UK and European Open champion trailed 2-1 to Dubliner O’Brien at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall but rallied to win three frames in succession for a 4-2 lead.

The Glaswegian, appearing in his fourth ranking event final, had a golden chance to push 5-2 in front but missed a long red and O’Brien took advantage.

Breaks of 60 and 42 were enough to give Maguire the first frame before O’Brien, appearing in only his second ranking event final since winning the British Open in 1999, hit back to level with a cool run of 84.

The Irishman edged 2-1 ahead with a break of 49 before Maguire won the next to make it 2-2 with runs of 43 and 26.

A superb 135 clearance in the next made it 3-2 and Maguire followed that with a pressure clearance to go further ahead after O’Brien broke down on a break of 58.