Today saw the second event of the 2012 Q School come to a conclusion and four more players confirmed on the main tour for 2012/13, including another in Sean O’Sullivan who will be making his début next season…
- Click here to view all of the results from Q School Event Two
First man through today was 18-year-old Sean O’Sullivan, who defeated Michael Wild and then Ryan Causton to qualify for the main tour for the first time in his career. Following his three other victories earlier in the week, the youngster from East London was understandably delighted with his work this week as he told World Snooker:
“It’s weird, I’m almost speechless, I knew I had a good chance this week because I’ve been playing well in practice, and the hard work has paid off.”
“Turning pro is what I have wanted to do since I started playing snooker when I was nine. My goal now will be to keep my place on the tour and then try to move up.”
Before anybody asks, Sean is not related to four-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, but if Sean can enjoy a career half a good as his then he will have done very well indeed. Following on from event one, Sean becomes the fourth player to qualify for the main tour from this season’s Q School who has not previously competed on the professional circuit.
The other three qualifiers however have all had main tour experience, beginning with Jamie O’Neill who defeated the talented young Scott Donaldson this evening, having earlier whitewashed Gary Wilson in the fourth round. Jamie was last on tour back in 2010/11, winning just five matches before falling at the fourth round of Q School one last season to eventual qualifier David Grace.
Another man hoping to do better than his last spell on tour will be Welshman Daniel Wells, who after enduring a nightmare season during 2011/12. performed well this week in seeing off the likes of Michael Wasley and Lucky Vatnani to secure an immediate return to the circuit. Interestingly, Daniel today told World Snooker that last season he suffered from snooker’s equivalent of the ‘yips’:
“Last season was the worst of my career. Around January I was on the verge of packing the game up because I couldn’t hit the cue ball. I was scared to hit the ball and couldn’t release the cue. I lost to Craig Steadman in a PTC event and he actually said he felt sorry for me.”
“Then I went to see coach Del Hill, and he and Mark Fenton have helped me turn it around. Something clicked and everything started coming back to me. I can look forward to next season now and feel as if I am playing well again.”
“In the past I have driven myself insane and there was no way I could go on like that. I still want to be a top player, but above all I just want to enjoy the game now.”
Having been present during each of Daniel’s wins during the 2009 World Championship qualifiers as he came within a frame of an appearance at the Crucible, I have seen first-hand just how talented he is at his best and hopefully he can demonstrate that form on a more consistent basis next season.
Finally, Paul Davison has also retained his place on tour courtesy of wins against Alex Davies and Gareth Allen today, making amends for his near-miss at the first Q School event where he lost to Martin O’Donnell in the fourth round.
Again, tomorrow will see a day off in Sheffield, before the action resumes on Friday, as the final four tour spots available via the Q School will be decided.