Snooker legends Ronnie O'Sullivan and Jimmy White gave the crowd in the TLT a masterclass in snooker, facing off against each other and some lucky fans in attendance from local snooker clubs.
Shane Hannon sat down with both men who had nothing but admiration for each other in a light-hearted, witty chat. They spoke of Steve Davis, players nowadays and a particular moment of arrogance from Ronnie.
A line from Jimmy’s autobiography reads: "Steve will happily sit in his own room and play chess and board games whereas I’d be out somewhere causing murder. I like to dabble, he like to scrabble."
Ronnie also shared his first interaction with Steve Davis: "He totally blanked me for 20 hours, me only a 17 year old. He must be so comfortable in his own skin that he doesn’t feel the need to actually make small conversation and since that day I’ve loved him ever more. That was one of the best lessons I’ve ever had in my life.
"Go for your game, enjoy it, don’t be scared to lose, a lot of them are playing like their life depends on it, I don’t like to see people playing like their life depends on it. It’s just a game at the end of the day and I think a lot of people get sucked in by winning," says Ronnie.
.@jimmywhite147 on the night he and @ronnieo147 got a private gig from Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones
Ticket info for Ronnie's remaining Irish exhibition dates this month in description of full video: https://t.co/evtvIpgWd1 pic.twitter.com/nQwwJ73jp3
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) June 13, 2018
In a match back in 2010, O'Sullivan had stopped to ask what the reward for a 147 was, only to be told there was no specific prize except for a £4,000 sum for the highest break. He took less than 10 minutes to reach 134 but shook hands with King after potting the pink. The referee, Jan Verhaas, then had to convince O'Sullivan to finish the break and he eventually potted the black before walking. Shane asked the two men what they recalled from this event.
"If you’re going to do it, you might as well really take the piss” says Ronnie. Jimmy then says: "I was watching that on TV and that was an absolute amazing sporting feat. It’s like a golfer saying, right, I’m gonna birdie the last 4 holes.
"Snooker’s so lucky to have Ronnie O’Sullivan. In my opinion and I think every other snooker player's opinion, he’s the best there’s ever been. He’s took the game to a new level."
Jimmy White talked of his love for exhibitions saying: "Two guys had come out with their cues and have paid 500 euro for charity. Ronnie's made a 147 and says let’s give them another game so he broke and I made a 147. They never got a shot. I don’t think that’s ever been done in doubles before. I love doing the exhibitions because you get a big crowd. Occasionally, I feel I can beat anyone, until that’s completely gone and that flames still flickering, I’ll still play because I enjoy it."
Upcoming dates to see Ronnie O'Sullivan
- MONDAY 25th June - Mullingar Park Hotel (tickets at hotel or www.ticketstop.ie)
- TUESDAY 26th June - South Court Hotel, Limerick (tickets at hotel or www.ticketstop.ie)
- WEDNESDAY 27th June - Clayton Silver Springs Hotel, Cork (tickets at hotel or www.ticketstop.ie)
- THURSDAY 28th June - Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny (tickets at hotel or www.ticketstop.ie)
- SATURDAY 30th June - The Devenish Complex, Belfast (www.pereg.uk/snooker)
