Fergal O'Brien

Fergal O'Brien (born 8 March 1972) is an Irish professional snooker player who has played on the main professional tour since 1991. Ranked within the world's top 64 players from 1994 to 2022, he reached his highest position of 9th in the 2000–01 season. He has won one ranking title, the 1999 British Open, defeating Anthony Hamilton 9–7 in the final. He has reached two other major finals, notably the 2001 Masters, where he lost 9–10 to Paul Hunter. O'Brien was relegated from the professional tour after losing to 15-year-old Welsh amateur Liam Davies in the 2022 World Snooker Championship qualifying rounds. However, he regained his professional status immediately by coming through Event 1 of the 2022 Q School. O'Brien announced that he will retire from the professional tour after the 2023–24 season.