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'I can't play snooker like that' – Martin O'Donnell vows to ditch go-slow tactics after Championship League success
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Published 28/06/2023 at 10:49 GMT+1
Martin O'Donnell earned the nickname the 'Minister of Defence' during his previous appearance on the professional circuit, but has promised to ditch the sluggish approach to potting upon his return to the elite. The Londoner won Group 11 at the Championship League on Tuesday after dropping off the tour last season. He secured a new two-year card by topping the Q School rankings earlier this year.
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Martin O'Donnell marked his return to the World Snooker Tour circuit on Tuesday by winning Group 11 at Championship League – and immediately vowed to smarten up his act.
The London potter hit breaks of 61 and 93 in a 3-0 win over Ireland's Aaron Hill before an 85 run in the second frame helped him draw 2-2 with Hossein Vafaei at Leicester's Morningside Arena.
Needing to overcome Fergal Quinn to secure his last-32 spot, O'Donnell slotted blue and pink against the Northern Irish amateur to top the table on seven points, three clear of world No. 18 Vafaei.
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O'Donnell dropped off the tour last season after first turning professional in 2012, but regained his playing rights earlier this year by topping the Q School ranking list.
“I just want to enjoy my snooker,” he said.
“When I fell off the tour, I wasn’t enjoying it and everything was a pint of blood. I can’t play snooker like that, I don’t want to play snooker like that and I’m not going to play snooker like that anymore.
“It doesn’t mean I won’t try out there, but the year off has given me a bit of perspective.”
Shoot Out winner Chris Wakelin progressed from Group 21 with a 3-0 win over tour debutant Liam Pullen and a 3-1 victory against Anton Kazakov. Oliver Lines completed a 3-0 victory over Wakelin to finish second in the section.
There are 32 groups of four at the Championship League, with the winner of each group reaching the second stage, which will contain a further eight groups of four, before two final groups of four compete to reach the semi-finals and final.
World No. 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan is due to return to action on Monday July 10 and has been drawn in Group 1 alongside Scott Donaldson, Rod Lawler and Alfie Burden, who was successful in regaining a fresh two-year tour card at Q School earlier this month.
Three-time world champion Mark Williams faces Dylan Emery, Ken Doherty and Thor Chuan Leong in Group 6 on Friday, while Masters winner Judd Trump meets Jimmy White, Reanne Evans and Xu Si in Group 2 on Tuesday July 11.
Tour champion Shaun Murphy takes on Tian Pengfei, Lukas Kleckers and Andrew Pagett in Group 4 on Wednesday July 12.
Championship League Stage 1
Championship League Stage 2
Championship Stage 3
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