Snooker at Goffs, The Benson and Hedges Years
Goffs played host to the Irish Masters every year from 1978 to 2000. The venue traditionally used for horse trading, has had many snooker tussles in its circular arena over the years and was where Ken Doherty had his first job as an usher. The Irish Masters played at Goffs was born out of a challenge match in 1975 between Alex Higgins and John Spencer. In 1976 and 1977 the event was staged as a four-man invitational and was replaced by the Irish Masters in 1978. Goffs is unique because of its construction. Built like an amphitheatre, the arena is circular and means wherever you sit in the audience, a clear view of the stage can be seen.
In this piece, I want to concentrate on the current players on the Seniors tour and how they faired in this great Irish tournament. The first of these is Jimmy White. White had success at Goffs, winning back to back titles in 1985 and 1986, beating Alex Higgins and Willie Thorne by the same score line, 9-5. Jimmy’s success in County Kildare, boils down to great form at the time and the crowd itself. Like the electric atmosphere created at the Wembley Conference Centre, Jimmy is often driven by the audience and Goffs was definitely one of those sporting arenas that achieved this for him. White thrives on the noise and commotion of the excited fans and digs deep into his game to produce flair and cue control that few players can emulate. His record speaks volumes, achieving quarter or semi-final stages of the tournament excluding his two wins and he was only knocked out of the competition in the first round in 1984, 1996 and 1998.
Secondly, Dennis Taylor didn’t quite manage to raise the silverware at Goffs. Despite winning the Irish Professional Championship on five occasions, Taylor only managed to get to the final of this great event once, losing to Steve Davis in 1990, 4-9. Davis had won the title four times previously and was really at the end of his tenure of dominating the game but unfortunately for Dennis, Steve was able to notch it up a gear and produce a format of snooker that was clinical and often devastating to his opponent. Of course Taylor had won this psychological battle at the Crucible in 1985 with Davis but on Irish soil, the pressure on Dennis to win, must have been immense but he achieve one goal by beating Alex Higgins on the way to the final that year. A match dubbed “the grudge match”.
Lastly, I want to look at Tony Drago’s progress at the Irish Masters. Sadly, never caused the impact that he was capable of on Irish soil and especially at Goffs. His emotional temperament was ideal for this “spiritual home of snooker”. Drago lost to John Parrott in 1998 in the first round, 6-2. This was Tony’s only appearance at Goffs, a shame because this frankly exceptionally fast player was so a joy and still is a joy to watch. A player who gets you fixed to his play and amazed by his exceptionally fast play. A fantastic long potter who always failed to amaze me.
Goffs, will course be a venue choice again next year as part of the Seniors calendar and last time Jimmy White won there. A televised event, it will be very exciting to return again to this building that has caused joy and tribulations for players past and present. Goffs is truly special and to a snooker fan, will always be the true home of the Irish Masters.
In this piece, I want to concentrate on the current players on the Seniors tour and how they faired in this great Irish tournament. The first of these is Jimmy White. White had success at Goffs, winning back to back titles in 1985 and 1986, beating Alex Higgins and Willie Thorne by the same score line, 9-5. Jimmy’s success in County Kildare, boils down to great form at the time and the crowd itself. Like the electric atmosphere created at the Wembley Conference Centre, Jimmy is often driven by the audience and Goffs was definitely one of those sporting arenas that achieved this for him. White thrives on the noise and commotion of the excited fans and digs deep into his game to produce flair and cue control that few players can emulate. His record speaks volumes, achieving quarter or semi-final stages of the tournament excluding his two wins and he was only knocked out of the competition in the first round in 1984, 1996 and 1998.
Secondly, Dennis Taylor didn’t quite manage to raise the silverware at Goffs. Despite winning the Irish Professional Championship on five occasions, Taylor only managed to get to the final of this great event once, losing to Steve Davis in 1990, 4-9. Davis had won the title four times previously and was really at the end of his tenure of dominating the game but unfortunately for Dennis, Steve was able to notch it up a gear and produce a format of snooker that was clinical and often devastating to his opponent. Of course Taylor had won this psychological battle at the Crucible in 1985 with Davis but on Irish soil, the pressure on Dennis to win, must have been immense but he achieve one goal by beating Alex Higgins on the way to the final that year. A match dubbed “the grudge match”.
Lastly, I want to look at Tony Drago’s progress at the Irish Masters. Sadly, never caused the impact that he was capable of on Irish soil and especially at Goffs. His emotional temperament was ideal for this “spiritual home of snooker”. Drago lost to John Parrott in 1998 in the first round, 6-2. This was Tony’s only appearance at Goffs, a shame because this frankly exceptionally fast player was so a joy and still is a joy to watch. A player who gets you fixed to his play and amazed by his exceptionally fast play. A fantastic long potter who always failed to amaze me.
Goffs, will course be a venue choice again next year as part of the Seniors calendar and last time Jimmy White won there. A televised event, it will be very exciting to return again to this building that has caused joy and tribulations for players past and present. Goffs is truly special and to a snooker fan, will always be the true home of the Irish Masters.
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