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Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I started playing snooker when I was 13 then hit my first 147 a year later aged 14, reveals Crucible legend
He also attempted to settle an age-old sporting debate BREAK SILENCE I started playing snooker when I was 13 then hit my first 147 a year later aged 14, reveals Crucible legend HAVE you ever wondered how long it took Stephen Hendry to hit his first 147? As you would probably expect, the seven-time world champion scored his first maximum break in what could be record time. Advertisement 2 Stephen Hendry is one of snooker's greatest ever players Credit: Alamy 2 He made 11 official maximum breaks in his career Credit: AFP Hendry, 56, made his first official 147 break in May 24, 1992, during a Matchroom League clash against Willie Thorne when he was aged 23. But according to the man himself, he achieved the incredible feat for the first time in practice NINE years earlier. That's despite him only picking up a cue for the first time 12 months prior to that. Hendry joined The Golf Supply YouTube channel for an interview during a round of golf at the Centurion Club for an event organised by Tottenham Hotspur star James Maddison. Advertisement The Scot was quizzed about his career in snooker throughout the 18-hole round, and in the discussion he was asked when he hit his first maximum. "In practice? When I was 14," said Hendry. Pressed on when he actually began playing the sport, he said: "About a month before my 13th birthday. I got a wee table for Christmas and basically within two or three weeks I made 50 breaks. "It could just do it, it was just natural. After six months I made my first century in a full size table." Advertisement Hendry also attempted to settle an age-old sporting debate which involves snooker, golf, and darts. Which is harder? Hitting a 147, getting a hole-in-one, or a nine-darter? Stephen Hendry 'threw microphone' in ITV commentary box after getting frustrated with snooker star The Crucible legend had an interesting take on the subject. Asked if he believes a 147 is the hardest, Hendry unsurprisingly replied: "Oh god, yeah, absolutely. You've got to be perfect for 36 shots. Once you're out of position then you can't stay on the black." Advertisement But he continued: "Someone told me an interesting way of looking at it. He said if it's all professionals in their sport doing it, what's the hardest? "A professional (golf player) trying to get a hole in one? That could be the hardest." Stephen Hendry career achievements Seven-time World Snooker Champion Youngest-ever winner of World Championship Six-time Masters Champion Five-time UK Championship winner 18 Triple Crown tournament wins 36 ranking titles Nine seasons as World No1 Awarded MBE in 1994 Two-time BBC Scotland Sports Personality of the Year Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Snooker legend Jimmy White coming to Kerry village this Bank Holiday weekend
Widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation, 63-year-old White, who was nicknamed 'The Whirlwind' in his heyday, will be taking part in an exhibition match on the night as well as a meet and greet with fans before a BBQ and a Q & A session afterward. While he enjoyed a remarkable career, winning two of snooker's Triple Crown events, the 1984 Masters and the 1992 UK Championship, he is still regarded as one of the greatest players never to win the coveted World Snooker Championships in which he reached six finals over the course of his career, finishing runner up on each of the occasions. The night is being organised by Mike Parker and all funds raised from the night will go towards the Kilflynn Community Together group. 'We've had Denis Taylor and Ken Doherty here at the pub before so it was only right that Jimmy be the next big name that we get. Ticket sales are starting to pick now so hopefully we'll have a good crowd there on the night to raise funds for the group,' Mike Parker of Parker's Pub told The Kerryman. Mike Brady meanwhile is the Chairperson of the Kilflynn Community Together Group and he also spoke to The Kerryman to let people know what work the volunteer-led group gets up to in the community. 'We're just a small community-based organisation who are responsible for the general upkeep of the village. We try to take on small projects around the place, too. We look after Halloween here, St Patrick's Day, the Christmas tree and lights, all that sort of stuff. We are completely dependent on donations. We're delighted that Mike is doing this for us, we got a few bob from when he had Ken Doherty there as well so anything we can get at all is a big help,' said Mike. V.I.P tickets for the event will cost €20 and the doors will open on the night at 7pm with the first frame set for 8.15pm. Standard tickets meanwhile will cost €10. They can be bought from Parker's Pub itself or from the pub's website.
Edinburgh Live
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Rubiks cube prodigies face off at Scottish championship held in capital
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Over 200 Rubik's Cube solvers from across Scotland and beyond will descend on Edinburgh this May for the Kewbz Scottish Championship 2025 — set to be the biggest speedcubing competition ever held in Scotland, and one of the largest in Europe this year. Taking place from Friday, May 20 to Sunday, June 1 at Meadowbank Stadium, the event will see competitors from over 20 countries attempt to solve the famous Rubik's Cube — as well as a range of other events from blindfolded to one handed — in the shortest possible time. The competition, which is the first ever Scottish Championship to be held, is hosted by the UK Cube Association, with its results officially recognised by the World Cube Association (WCA), the international governing body for speedcubing. 'Speedcubing has exploded in popularity in recent years,' said Adam Leyton, one of the event organisers from the UKCA. People often think of the Rubik's Cube as a retro toy from the 1980s, but it's actually now more popular than ever. It's fantastic that we have the opportunity to host such a high-profile competition right here in Edinburgh.' All eyes are on 13-year-old prodigy Johnny Morello Kerlaff from Edinburgh as he heads into this year's prestigious 3x3 event, where he's one of the leading contenders. A rising star in the cubing scene, Johnny currently holds the Scottish record for the fastest solve time, clocking in at a speedy 5.41 seconds. In 2024, Johnny made a strong impression at the UK Championship, finishing in third place and earning recognition as one of the country's most promising young cubers. Now he'll be aiming to build on that success at this year's Scottish Championship, hoping to deliver another memorable performance. Also among the standout names competing in Edinburgh will be Lanarkshire cuber Ryan Eckersley, who currently holds multiple European Records in the blindfolded solving category and placed second at the 2024 European Championships. Ryan said: "Competing at such a major event in my home country is something really special to me. "There's going to be some serious competition but I've been putting in a lot of practice lately and I'm really excited to see how I perform.'
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
World Snooker Championship star shows true colours with John Virgo comments
BBC star John Virgo is snooker royalty as a result of his successful playing career in the 1970s and 80s and his status as being one of the voices of the sport Snooker ace Neil Robertson has praised John Virgo and the BBC commentary team for their stellar work behind the microphone. The 43-year-old former world champion, who still competes at the top level, occasionally shares his insights from the commentary box. Among those he shares the gantry with is 1979 UK Championship winner Virgo, a familiar voice in snooker broadcasting. Despite his successful playing career, Virgo is perhaps best known for his role as a commentator with the BBC commentator, an organisation he joined in 1991 when he co-presented Big Break. At one stage, it looked like Virgo was going to be replaced by the BBC, after he claimed they were on the hunt for younger voices after the 2022/23 snooker campaign. Reflecting on his own stint alongside Virgo, Robertson had nothing but praise. Speaking on Stephen Hendry's Cue Tips podcast, the Australian said: "I was doing some commentary and punditry work at the World Championships last year. "You realise just how good some of those guys are in the commentary box. I thought Virgo was just absolutely amazing. The timing and the delivery of everything he is saying." Hendry, a seven-time World Snooker Championship winner who has also shared the commentary booth with Virgo, wholeheartedly agreed. He added: "The thing is, you and I, will sort of talk technically and say what is happening and everything, but they bring the excitement." Renowned for his captivating commentary and distinctive delivery, Virgo is famous for his catchphrase: "Where's the cueball going," often exclaimed when the white ball teeters towards a pocket. There was a time when it seemed fans would miss out on Virgo's voiceover skills. The commentator had announced the BBC were planning to replace him after the 2022/23 season, as the broadcaster looked to freshen things up with younger talent. After hearing the news in 2022, he told the Telegraph: "I wouldn't have been like this 30 years ago, I would have been fighting my corner. But I've realised – and it's taken me a long time to realise it – not to get caught up in something you have no control of. "I can't have any bad feelings. Maybe it's a working-class attitude I've been brought up with but there's b******s all I can do about it, so why get bothered? "I'm not going to go round on my hands and knees begging for a job. I'm past that. So I'll just get on with what I'm doing, enjoy it and treasure every moment. I understand that you get over a certain age and they want to try something different." However, the BBC reversed their decision and chose to retain Virgo in the commentary box. Speaking on the BBC podcast 'Snookered', Virgo shared their change of mind, saying: "I spoke to one of the producers and I said, 'Well you know it'll be my last year...' and he said 'No no no, we're not going to do that now. We're going to stay as we are for the foreseeable future'. "Which was fantastic. I'd have missed that terribly you know. Just going there. So for the foreseeable future, now whether that's this year, next year and that'll be it? So that was great, it was music to my ears."
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
World Snooker Championship star lets John Virgo know what he thinks with BBC comments
World Snooker Championship star lets John Virgo know what he thinks with BBC comments Neil Robertson made an honest admission about BBC's snooker commentator Jon Virgo after working with him and doing his own stint as a pundit Neil Robertson revealed his honest thoughts on John Virgo and the BBC (Image: YouTube/Stephen Hendry Cue Tips ) Snooker star Neil Robertson hailed John Virgo and the rest of the BBC for the work they do in the commentary box. Robertson, 43, is a previous world champion who is still playing at the highest level today. However, he has occasionally stepped into the gantry to voice his thoughts on all things snooker. Up there, he is joined by 1979 UK Championship winner Virgo, who has entrenched himself as one of the voices of the sport. Despite his successful career as a snooker player, Virgo is likely better known for his role as a BBC commentator, having begun his career on the microphone in 1991, where he was a co-presenter of the Big Break programme. Looking back at his own brief experience of working with Virgo, Robertson had plenty of good things to say about him. Speaking on the Stephen Hendry Cue Tips podcast, the Australian said: "I was doing some commentary and punditry work at the World Championships last year. "You realise just how good some of those guys are in the commentary box. I thought Virgo was just absolutely amazing. The timing and the delivery of everything he is saying." Hendry, who has also done plenty of commentary work with Virgo, could not agree with his former opponent more. The seven-time World Snooker Championship winner said: " The thing is, you and I, will sort of talk technically and say what is happening and everything, but they bring the excitement.' Article continues below As well as his analysis and delivery on the microphone, Virgo is also known for his catchphrase "Where's the cueball going" which he says when the white looks like it is heading for a pocket. Virgo is a popular member of the BBC snooker team (Image:) At one stage, it looked like snooker punters were not going to be listening to him anymore. Virgo said he was going to be leaving the BBC after the 2022/23 season, citing the broadcaster's desire for new younger voices. When the news was first revealed, he told the Telegraph: "I wouldn't have been like this 30 years ago, I would have been fighting my corner. But I've realised – and it's taken me a long time to realise it – not to get caught up in something you have no control of. 'I can't have any bad feelings. Maybe it's a working-class attitude I've been brought up with but there's b******s all I can do about it, so why get bothered? The BBC's decision to keep Virgo brought relief to a lot of snooker fans (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below "I'm not going to go round on my hands and knees begging for a job. I'm past that. So I'll just get on with what I'm doing, enjoy it and treasure every moment. I understand that you get over a certain age and they want to try something different." However, the BBC U-turned on their decision and decided to keep Virgo in the commentary box. While speaking on the BBC podcast 'Snookered', Virgo revealed their change of heart and said: "Well from what I've heard recently that's not going to happen. I spoke to one of the producers and I said 'Well you know it'll be my last year…' and he said 'no no no, we're not going to do that now. We're going to stay as we are for the foreseeable future'.' Which was fantastic." He added: "I'd have missed that terribly you know. Just going there. So for the foreseeable future, now whether that's this year, next year and that'll be it? So that was great, it was music to my ears."
