Gerard Greene
Encyclopedia
Gerard Greene is a left-handed Northern Irish
professional snooker
player, who has represented Northern Ireland in international events (the Nations Cup in 2000 and 2001), as his parents are from Belfast
. He lives in Rainham in Kent. He has enjoyed moderate success in his career; 2007–2008 is his third season ranked among the top 32 in the world, and his eighth in the top 48. He has reached one ranking semi-final (the 2007 Grand Prix) and four quarter-finals.
He has qualified for the World Championship
three times without winning a match at the Crucible Theatre
, although he has twice drawn the defending champion – (John Higgins in 1999 and Peter Ebdon
in 2003). The other time he qualified was in 2005 where he lost 10–9 to Steve Davis
.
He had an extraordinary match in the 1996 Grand Prix, going in-off on the final black to decide the frame three times (thus losing all 3 frames) in a 5–0 defeat to Davis, who called him "the unluckiest man in the snooker world".
by beating Ian Burmby 6–5 in the first round, Steve Davis 6–2 in the second round, Andy Hicks
9–6 in the third round, and Gary Ponting 9–6 in the last 16, taking him to the Quarter-finals where he lost 6–9 to Ronnie O'Sullivan
.
9–4 in the first round, then losing 9–7 to Matthew Stevens
. He also reached the last 32 of the LG Cup. He was briefly provisionally in the top 16 but then suffered a mid season slump. Things picked up a little later in the campaign and he was assured of a place in the top 32 for the first time at number 26, and overtook Swail to become the number one player from Northern Ireland.
. Greene came through Group B which included Ronnie O'Sullivan
, Steve Davis
, Dominic Dale
and qualifiers Tom Ford
and Mark Joyce
. He beat Davis and Dale 4–0, Ford 4–3 and Joyce 4–2, his only defeat coming at the hands of Ronnie O'Sullivan, 4–2. He defeated qualifier Ricky Walden
5–0 in the last 16 with breaks of 101 and 91. In his Quarter-Final he faced Joe Perry
, who he defeated 5–3 with breaks of 68, 57, 123 and rounding of the match with a 53. Eventual champion Marco Fu
edged him out 6–5 in the semi-final. For a while before this tournament, he had no snooker club to practice in.
Showing his best form for years, he also reached the Quarter-final of the 2007 Northern Ireland Trophy
, beating Liang Wenbo
(5–2) in the first round. Then he beat former World Champions Mark Williams
(5–3) and Ken Doherty
(5–1) on the way. His run ended in the hands of Mark Allen
, who he lost to 5–3. He lost form in 2008 however, failing to qualify for the World Championship after a 2–10 defeat to journeyman Mark Davis
.
(gaining revenge for a defeat Doherty inflicted on him in the Northern Ireland Trophy
).
People of Northern Ireland
Northern Irish people or people of Northern Ireland are "all persons born in Northern Ireland and having, at the time of their birth, at least one parent who is a British citizen, an Irish citizen or is otherwise entitled to reside in Northern Ireland without any restriction on their period of...
professional snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
player, who has represented Northern Ireland in international events (the Nations Cup in 2000 and 2001), as his parents are from Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. He lives in Rainham in Kent. He has enjoyed moderate success in his career; 2007–2008 is his third season ranked among the top 32 in the world, and his eighth in the top 48. He has reached one ranking semi-final (the 2007 Grand Prix) and four quarter-finals.
He has qualified for the World Championship
World Snooker Championship
The World Snooker Championship is the leading professional snooker tournament in terms of both prize money and ranking points. The first championship was held in 1927; since 1977, it has been played at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England...
three times without winning a match at the Crucible Theatre
Crucible Theatre
The Crucible Theatre is a theatre built in 1971 and located in the city centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. As well as theatrical performances, it is home to the most important event in professional snooker, the World Snooker Championship....
, although he has twice drawn the defending champion – (John Higgins in 1999 and Peter Ebdon
Peter Ebdon
Peter "Ebbo" Ebdon is an English professional snooker player and former world champion renowned for his remarkably focused, determined style of play.-Early years:...
in 2003). The other time he qualified was in 2005 where he lost 10–9 to Steve Davis
Steve Davis
Steve Davis, OBE is an English professional snooker player. He has won more professional titles in the sport than any other player, including six World Championships during the 1980s, when he was the world number one for seven years and became the sport's first millionaire...
.
He had an extraordinary match in the 1996 Grand Prix, going in-off on the final black to decide the frame three times (thus losing all 3 frames) in a 5–0 defeat to Davis, who called him "the unluckiest man in the snooker world".
Early career
Greene turned pro and joined the professional ranks in 1993/94 at the age of 20. In 1995/96 he got to the latter stages of three events and was up 38 places to 72nd in the World Rankings. In 1997 he got to his first ranking Quarter-final in the UK Snooker ChampionshipUK Snooker Championship
The UK Championship is a professional ranking snooker tournament. It is the second biggest ranking tournament after the World Championship and is one of the Triple Crown events.-History:...
by beating Ian Burmby 6–5 in the first round, Steve Davis 6–2 in the second round, Andy Hicks
Andy Hicks
Andy Hicks is an English professional snooker player currently from Cornwall. Hicks, nicknamed "The Cream of Devon", has been a World Snooker Championship semi-finalist and was ranked within the worlds top 32 for many seasons but has never broken into the top 16.-Career:Although a professional...
9–6 in the third round, and Gary Ponting 9–6 in the last 16, taking him to the Quarter-finals where he lost 6–9 to Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronald Antonio "Ronnie" O'Sullivan , is an English professional snooker player known for his rapid playing style and nicknamed "The Rocket". He has been World Champion on three occasions , and is second on the all-time prize-money list, with career earnings of over £6 million, behind only Stephen...
.
2003/04
He started the 2003/04 season in superb form reaching the British Open quarter final and the last 32 of the UK Championship beating Joe SwailJoe Swail
-External links:*...
9–4 in the first round, then losing 9–7 to Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens is a Welsh professional snooker player. Stevens has won two of the game's most prestigious events, the Benson and Hedges Masters in 2000 and the UK Championship in 2003. He has also been the runner-up in the World Snooker Championship on two occasions, in 2000 and 2005...
. He also reached the last 32 of the LG Cup. He was briefly provisionally in the top 16 but then suffered a mid season slump. Things picked up a little later in the campaign and he was assured of a place in the top 32 for the first time at number 26, and overtook Swail to become the number one player from Northern Ireland.
2004/05
He then had some problems with his cue and his form suffered during the 2004/5 season when he failed in all but two of the ranking events, and despite reaching the Irish Masters quarter final he found himself back down to 38th in the rankings.2006/07
He returned to the top 32 after 2006/2007, the highlight being a run to the last 16 of the Northern Ireland Trophy.2007/08
He reached his first ranking semi-final at the 2007 Grand PrixGrand Prix (snooker)
The World Open is a professional ranking snooker tournament. It has previously been known as the Professional Players Tournament, the LG Cup and the Grand Prix. During 2006 and 2007, it was played in a unique round-robin format, more similar to association football and rugby tournaments than the...
. Greene came through Group B which included Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronald Antonio "Ronnie" O'Sullivan , is an English professional snooker player known for his rapid playing style and nicknamed "The Rocket". He has been World Champion on three occasions , and is second on the all-time prize-money list, with career earnings of over £6 million, behind only Stephen...
, Steve Davis
Steve Davis
Steve Davis, OBE is an English professional snooker player. He has won more professional titles in the sport than any other player, including six World Championships during the 1980s, when he was the world number one for seven years and became the sport's first millionaire...
, Dominic Dale
Dominic Dale
-External links:**...
and qualifiers Tom Ford
Tom Ford (snooker player)
-External links:*...
and Mark Joyce
Mark Joyce
Mark Joyce is an English professional snooker player who lives in Walsall. Joyce enjoyed an outstanding amateur career, winning the European Under-19 Championship in 2001, the English Open in 2005 and the English Amateur Championship in 2006, beating Martin O’Donnell 8–3 in the final.Joyce also...
. He beat Davis and Dale 4–0, Ford 4–3 and Joyce 4–2, his only defeat coming at the hands of Ronnie O'Sullivan, 4–2. He defeated qualifier Ricky Walden
Ricky Walden
-External links:**...
5–0 in the last 16 with breaks of 101 and 91. In his Quarter-Final he faced Joe Perry
Joe Perry (snooker player)
-External links:*...
, who he defeated 5–3 with breaks of 68, 57, 123 and rounding of the match with a 53. Eventual champion Marco Fu
Marco Fu
Marco Fu Ka-chun , commonly known as Marco Fu, is a professional snooker player from Hong Kong. He currently resides in Happy Valley. He is best known for winning the 2007 Grand Prix, beating Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final, and for being runner-up in the 2008 UK Championship...
edged him out 6–5 in the semi-final. For a while before this tournament, he had no snooker club to practice in.
Showing his best form for years, he also reached the Quarter-final of the 2007 Northern Ireland Trophy
Northern Ireland Trophy
- History :First contested in 1981 and named Northern Ireland Classic. It was an invitational event held at Ulster Hall, Belfast, and Jimmy White beat Steve Davis in the final....
, beating Liang Wenbo
Liang Wenbo
Liang Wenbo is a Chinese professional snooker player. He is left-handed and ranked as China's number 2 player, after Ding Junhui. Liang is based at the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield, England, United Kingdom.-Career:...
(5–2) in the first round. Then he beat former World Champions Mark Williams
Mark Williams (snooker player)
Mark James Williams, MBE is a Welsh professional snooker player who has been World Champion twice, in 2000 and 2003. Often noted for his single-ball potting, he has earned the nickname, The Welsh Potting Machine...
(5–3) and Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player. He is the only player ever to have been world amateur and world professional champion...
(5–1) on the way. His run ended in the hands of Mark Allen
Mark Allen (snooker player)
Mark Allen is a Northern Irish professional snooker player. He won the World Amateur Championship in 2004. The following year he turned professional and took only three seasons to reach the elite top 16...
, who he lost to 5–3. He lost form in 2008 however, failing to qualify for the World Championship after a 2–10 defeat to journeyman Mark Davis
Mark Davis (snooker player)
Mark Davis is an English professional snooker player from St. Leonards in Sussex, England. The highlights of his career so far have been winning the Benson & Hedges Championship in 2002 – earning him an appearance at the Masters – and winning the 2009 Six-red World Championship.- Career :Davis...
.
2008/09
Greene's 2008/2009 season was solid but unspectacular. He won his opening match in six of the season's eight tournaments, but only went further in two of them. Crucially, he qualified for the World Championship by defeating Liu Song (snooker player) and Ken DohertyKen Doherty
Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player. He is the only player ever to have been world amateur and world professional champion...
(gaining revenge for a defeat Doherty inflicted on him in the Northern Ireland Trophy
Northern Ireland Trophy
- History :First contested in 1981 and named Northern Ireland Classic. It was an invitational event held at Ulster Hall, Belfast, and Jimmy White beat Steve Davis in the final....
).