Fergal O’Brien is about to enter his final tournament after 33 years as a professional snooker player, ending his career after the World Championship, and he has cherished every moment of it.
The Irish player has been part of the tour since becoming a professional in 1991, but at 52 years old, he has chosen to retire after one last attempt at Crucible glory.
The decision was made public in December, but O’Brien says he actually made the decision two years ago when he secured his place on the tour at Q School, but felt like his days as a player were drawing to a close.
With coaching and commentary now becoming his main focus, he believes it's the right time to leave his playing days behind.
‘I did that interview around Christmas time, I felt quite emotional because it made it clear that it was coming to an end,’ O’Brien told Metro.co.uk.
‘As time has passed and many people have said very kind things, it has made it much easier, it has all been positive, so I am just looking forward to playing now.
‘Almost immediately after I qualified at Q School in 2022, I said, “I'll be here for two more years, unless something extraordinary happens.” Obviously nothing extraordinary has happened, last season in particular was terrible in terms of results.
‘During those two years on the tour, I have started coaching, which I would never have done before because it affects my playing, but that has gone very well. Then last year, I have been very fortunate to start doing commentary for Eurosport, which I love. Hopefully, that will continue.’
The crucial transitional two years have been important for the former British Open champion, as not long ago it would have seemed impossible for him to stop playing.
‘A few years ago, the idea of me not playing… I don’t know. Some of my friends were genuinely worried I could go to a dark place when I stopped playing,’ he said.
‘The game means so much to me, what else would I do? Playing is and was and always will be the best, but the two next best things are the commentary and the coaching. Long may they continue.’
O’Brien’s mindset has changed significantly since he was asked about potential retirement in 2020, when he said: ‘No no, when you’ve heard I’ve died, you’ll know I’ve retired.’
Partly, he has chosen to change his focus, but he acknowledges that poor results in recent years have made the decision unavoidable.
‘It’s a fantastic quote!’ Fergal said. ‘But it all stems from results, it’s not about losing interest in the game or anything like that.
‘People have been very supportive, but I'm not retiring as the fifth best player in the world. Results haven't been great in the last few years and I'm not willing to stick around for five years for one last 16 or maybe a quarter.
‘I would have liked to achieve better results, but they just haven’t happened. My focus has probably shifted, I'm more determined to be a great commentator and coach rather than a player.
'To quote Andrei Agassi, 'If you’re thinking about the end, it is the end.' There’s great truth in that because there was a point where if you’d even mentioned retirement I’d have punched you. It feels right now.'
O’Brien has won a ranking event, reached a Masters final, and reached as high as number nine in the world during a long period on tour.
Although he wishes he had won more trophies, he only looks back on his career with great fondness and would not exchange his years on the baize for anything else.
'I’ve had some success, obviously I’d have liked more, but the main thing for me is the journey was the reward. Even the bad days were good,' he said.
'I always wanted to be a professional snooker player and I was a professional snooker player, so the vast majority of those 30-odd years, you could have offered me any job with any amount of pay and I wouldn’t have taken it, no chance.
'I wanted to be a snooker player and that’s what gave me the greatest joy and happiness. The last few years haven’t been so good and other interests and opportunities have come my way, but I’ve loved it. It’s tough, it’s hard but I’ve loved it.
'There was never sacrifice. As a kid, not going to discos to go to bed early and go to the club on Sunday morning, or moving to England and living on my own at 19, it wasn’t easy but I loved every minute.
'Practice, preparing, travelling to tournaments, trying to get your game in shape when there’s a tournament in two-three weeks. I will miss that level of purpose, a bit like Christmas Day, part of it is looking forward to it. If I had my time again I’d do the exact same, I’d change things within it to get better results, but I would have said no to any other job.'
The 1999 British Open title was clearly a high point of O’Brien’s career but looking back on two specific matches, an early win over a peak Stephen Hendry and a stunning performance to score five centuries in a 6-5 victory over Barry Hawkins stand out.
'If I could pinpoint a match I loved, in ’94 I beat Hendry at Goffs. It was so new, I was only 22. I was a wildcard, to play Hendry who was God at the time, I played really well and beat him,' Fergal recalled.
'All my family and friends were there and it was pure joy after, that’s always a very good memory. My mum and dad, [wife] Jean, how happy they were and the buzz of it.
'Also the likes of the Hawkins match, it was just nice to play the way you can. Sometimes the stuff I played wasn’t very good, wasn’t attractive to watch, but as I said after that Hawkins match, if someone ever asked if Fergal O’Brien was any good, you can go onto YouTube and watch that and think, “he wasn’t too bad.”
'Five tons in a best of 11, that’s how he could play. I didn’t play like that very often, but that’s how I could play.'
O’Brien’s last hurrah will be at the World Championship next month when he tries to finish his career in style with a run to the Crucible, but he will be trying to keep his emotions under control before arriving in Sheffield.
'Interestingly, a couple of years ago during the qualifiers, I was playing against Liam Davies. When I was losing 4-2, I had to go to the toilet and collect myself because I was starting to feel emotional,' he stated. 'I thought that could have been the end, the last match.'
'I have been dedicating a significant amount of effort, I am determined for the World Championships and my goal is to reach the Crucible and have a successful run, just like every other year.'
'I don't want to make excuses for myself. If I become too ahead of myself and emotional, it won't be beneficial for me.'
A happy and magical ending is still a possibility for the experienced player, with one final appearance at the Crucible 30 years after his first.
'Certainly, that would be wonderful,' he expressed. 'Hopefully the Snooker Gods say, "Look, this guy has been a good contender, let's give him a chance".'
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