Irish Pride

Last Easter I was sat in my living room watching some of the Irish Open on Sky Sports. I had an interest in it more than any other poker event because I had dedicated a lot of time and effort into qualifying for this tournament.

In 2006, I got to the online finals on more than one occasion but didn't win a seat in Europe's oldest poker tournament.

As I sat there last year I vowed that in 2007 I would qualify. I needed to prove to myself that I could.

Other things in my life prevented me from making this vow a reality. Late last year I made it to the final table of qualification and missed it by two or three places.

Then there was one last chance in a $1 shootout tournament on Paddy Power Poker last night. Six hundred and sixty-nine people had entered to win the prize worth $3,500.

I played well. Really well, in fact. I was never out of the top tier in the tournament rankings. At one point I was sitting in second place but it all fell apart. I finished up forty out of the near seven hundred runners.

It's not a bad result considering. I had two shots at qualifying for this year's event and did well in both. As I mentioned earlier, had I beeen able to dedicate more effort into this then I reallly do think I could have walked away with a place.

I can end this post by saying 'maybe next year' but I was telling myself that in 2006. I know a seat in a major tournament is within my reach I have proved this with the results I have achieved.

There is one win on the horizon. I can see it from afar. Maybe next year?

Maybe.