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Ken DohertyIrish professional snooker player.
Date of Birth: 17.09.1969
Country: ![]() |
Ken Doherty Biography
Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player who has consistently been among the top 16 players for the past fifteen years. He is the only player to have won the World Championship in three versions: Junior, Amateur, and Professional. Doherty also holds a peculiar record of not being able to make a maximum break by failing to pot the final black ball.

Early Career
Doherty first gained attention in 1983 when he won the Irish Junior Championship. The following year, he successfully defended his title and earned the right to compete in the Irish Amateur Championship, where he finished in second place. Despite high expectations, Doherty failed to advance from his group in the Amateur World Championship. However, he redeemed himself by winning the national amateur championship in 1987.

Professional Career
Doherty entered the main professional tour at the age of 21. In his debut season, he reached the final stages of the World Championship but lost to Steve Davis 8-10. He gained prominence as a player after winning the Welsh Open in 1993. This victory marked the beginning of his rapid ascent in the sport. In 1997, he shocked the snooker world by defeating six-time world champion Steve Davis and John Higgins en route to winning the World Championship. This victory propelled Doherty to the third spot in the world rankings.
Despite his success, Doherty faced disappointment in the following seasons. He reached the finals of the Grand Prix and Masters tournaments but fell short of winning. The most notable setback came in the Masters final in 2000 when he missed the final black ball and lost the match. However, he rebounded and won the Malta Cup that same year.
In the 2000-2001 season, Doherty enjoyed one of his best seasons, winning the Welsh Open and Thailand Masters. He also reached the finals of the Scottish Open and Nations Cup. Although he consistently performed well, he struggled to achieve significant results in the World Championship, frequently losing to John Higgins.
Later Career
After a period of decline, Doherty recorded a significant victory by winning the Malta Cup in 2008. However, maintaining good form became increasingly challenging, and his age began to affect his performance. He struggled to reach the finals of major tournaments and fell out of the top 16 rankings.
Despite the setbacks, Doherty remained determined to improve his game. He continued to compete in various tournaments, but his results were inconsistent. In the 2007-2008 season, he won the Pot Black Cup and reached the final of the Malta Cup. However, his previous level of play was no longer evident.
Doherty's career took a downward turn, with frequent early exits from ranking tournaments. He dropped out of the top 16 rankings and had to compete in the qualifiers once again. Despite the challenges, Doherty remains the best snooker player from Ireland and continues to strive for success in the sport.