Derry snooker player Simon Cooke hoping for big break against former World Champion Shaun Murphy

Local snooker ace Simon Cooke is preparing for one of the biggest matches of his career as he faces former World Champion Shaun Murphy in the Mark Allen Classic Pro-Am this weekend in Antrim.

The Waterside man has been handed the toughest possible draw for this weekend’s competition, with Murphy, nicknamed ‘The Magician’, one of the most recognised snooker stars in today’s game.

The challenge for Cooke is to survive a best-of-nine contest with the 2005 World Champion and Cooke admits it’s going to be a hell of a challenge.

“It’s definitely one of the biggest matches of my career,” he told the Derry News. “I’ve played Jimmy White and Alex Higgins on the same night but I have also played in the unofficial Irish Open in 2006 where I played Fergal O’Brien in a best-of-nine match.

“He’s the only other person I’ve played in a best-of-nine so this is just the second time in my snooker career that I’m playing that type of match. I just hope to God I have the stamina for it because I wouldn’t be the thinnest of fellas to be fair.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m playing the 2005 World Champion and not many people play these kinds of matches.”

Five snooker players in all from the North West will be competing in this weekend’s competition which has a prize fund of £3,500.

Also taking part in the three day competition is Tracey’s Snooker Club member Anthony McGill, Shea Moore from AOH club, Stephen Brady from Shantallow House and Donemana’s Jamie-Lee Gardiner.

But while his companions could well progress, Cooke has been handed the toughest draw of the lot.

“This weekend for me is just going to be about enjoying the experience,” he explained. “I’m getting a 42-point head start which is helpful but these boys are pro for a reason. They can just make those 42 points disappear in a matter of minutes. If I get one or two chances and I’m feeling good you never know, but this week has just been practising with Shea Moore, who’s also going up.

“It’s just about doing what you normally do and not go for any mad shots and let your opponent in. I‘ll be treating Murphy as I would do any other opponent but he’s a different class to the majority of the people you’ve played.”

Whatever happens this weekend, Cooke is going to absorb every minute of action, acknowledging that opportunities such as this are few and far between.

“It’s something I can always look back on and say I played a professional,” he agreed. “I’ve played a few in my time but to play one in a best-of-nine match, when you’re used to playing them in two-frame exhibition games, when there’s something at stake is different. When I saw the draw I thought ‘Great draw, but I could be out after the first round’. If I had drawn one of the other amateurs in the tournament I would have fancied my chances; don’t get me wrong, if I get a chance or two I’ll do my best to take them but the nerves could start, especially with people into watch it also.”

Cooke has experience of playing against some notable names in snooker, and having witnessed one in action close hand earlier this year, he knows just how vital every shot is.    

“I am giving myself a chance,” he said. “If I can get in and get the first chance in the frame and score 3-0 or 40, which I’m more than capable of, then you never know. If I get my chances hopefully I’ll be able to take them.

“I played Mark Allen in a tournament in January and he gave me a 49 point head start. At 49 up on anyone you’d fancy your chances but he hit me with a 104, 96 and a 76 and beats me 3-0 in half an hour.  I had good banter with Mark because we grew up playing junior tournaments together and I just hope this weekend that I can enjoy the experience, enjoy watching good snooker and hopeful play good snooker also.”

Elsewhere this weekend, Anthony McGill, who is a former junior and intermediate champion and recent pairs champion faces Enda O’Hagan from Magherafelt in the first round.

Shea Moore, who has represented Northern Ireland at the European Championships in Poland and is current pairs champion, plays Nigel Clewer from the host club.

Stephen Brady, who finished number 16 in this year’s Northern Ireland senior rankings and is also in the two local individual finals in the coming weeks, plays Nathan Campbell from Lisburn and the local man has a 28 point head start.

Jamie-Lee Gardiner meanwhile, who won the Northern Ireland U16 ranking event this season and is number 2 in under 16 rankings, plays three times Irish champion TJ Dowling from Dublin.

All matches are best of nine with with Cooke and Moore playing their respective games tomorrow night at 9pm and 7pm respectively, while trio McGill, Gardiner and Brady play their first round matches on Saturday morning.

For anyone wishing to attend and watch the competition there will be an optional donation fee at the door, which will be donated to NI Childrens Cancer Unit in Belfast.