'Strange decision' for Ronnie O'Sullivan to pull out of UK Masters - Ken Doherty

Former world champion Ken Doherty says Ronnie O’Sullivan "thinks he’s bigger than the game", after the Rocket’s decision to pull out of the UK Masters, starting on Sunday.

Doherty was speaking at the Beat South-East Sports Star awards in Kilkenny after O’Sullivan’s decision not to participate in the prestigious tournament, of which he is a seven-time winner.

Check out the goings-on at yesterday's South East Sports Star Awards where we honour the finest sporting talent the region had to offer over the past twelve months! Check out the video to find out who was crowned this year's winner! 🏆🏉 pic.twitter.com/AfUgOgwZ2X

— Beat 102 103 (@beat102103) January 10, 2020

“[It’s a] strange decision, I don’t think even Ronnie can figure Ronnie out. He’s a genius snooker player, there’s no doubt about that, but he’s such a complex character.

“I think the game still has a lot of characters. Judd Trump is a great character, and a great young talent as well, Neil Robertson, [Mark] Selby... there’s lots of great players in the game.

“Sometimes Ronnie can get a bit caught up that he thinks he’s bigger than the game, and nobody is bigger than any sport, believe me. No matter what sport you’re in, the sport always survives, and that’s the way it should be.”

Tipperary rugby sevens star Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe won the overall award on the night, after a season which saw her become the first person from the northern hemisphere to be top try-scorer in the World Series, before being named on the Dream Team for 2019.

Beat Breakfast's Vincent Bradley, overall winner Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, and Ken Doherty.

Murphy Crowe, who scored 35 tries in 33 games for Ireland, beat a field which included the All-Ireland-winning Tipperary hurlers, Irish international Rianna Jarrett, and Women’s World Cup final official Michelle O’Neill.