As retirement approaches, Fergal O’Brien reflects on the “great joy” of his snooker career.

As retirement approaches, Fergal O’Brien reflects on the “great joy” of his snooker career.

After 33 years as a professional, Fergal O’Brien is about to enter his final competition before calling it a day following the World Championship, and he has cherished every minute of it.

Since going pro in 1991, the Irishman has been a mainstay on the circuit. However, after one final shot at Crucible glory, the 52-year-old has made the decision to hang up the cue.

Although O’Brien claims the choice was actually taken two years ago when he was feeling like his playing days were running out, he made the announcement of it back in December.

He believes the moment has come to move on from his playing career because he is now concentrating on coaching and commentary.

I got a little upset when I gave the interview around Christmas because it made it real that it was coming to a close. O’Brien disclosed to Metro.co.uk.

I’m just looking forward to playing now because a lot of people have said really lovely things throughout time, which has made things much easier. Everything has been good and positive.

Almost immediately after I qualified for Q School in 2022, I declared, “Unless something extraordinary happens, I’ll be here for two more years.” Of course, nothing remarkable has occurred; the previous season’s performance was very bad.

Since coaching affects playing, I never would have done it previously, but those two years on tour have gone incredibly well. Then, I had the incredible good fortune to begin providing commentary for Eurosport last year, which I absolutely like. I hope that stays the same.

For the former British Open champion, these past two years have been critical since, not so long ago, it would have seemed unthinkable that he would retire from competition.

‘A few years ago, the idea of my sitting out games was…I’m not sure. He said, “There are friends of mine who were really worried that when I stopped playing, I might go into a dark place.”

What else would I do, given how much I value the game? The two second best things are the coaching and the commentary, but playing is still the best and always will be. May they continue for a very long time.

When asked about a potential retirement in 2020, O’Brien responded, “No no, when you’ve heard I’ve died, you’ll know I’ve retired.” This statement revealed a significant shift in O’Brien’s thinking.

He acknowledges that the decision was unavoidable due to recent dismal performance, but he has partially opted to change his focus.

“What a wonderful quote!” stated Fergal. However, everything is based on the outcome; it has nothing to do with losing interest in the game or anything of the sort.

Although I won’t be retiring as the fifth-best person in the world, people have been quite kind about it. Results haven’t been spectacular the past few years, and I’m not really ready to stick around for five years for a final sixteen, or maybe even a quarter, of that time.

Although I would have preferred greater outcomes, they simply haven’t materialized. I think my priorities have shifted; now, rather than being a player, I’m more driven to be a superb analyst and coach.

“If you’re thinking about the end, it is the end,” as Andrei Agassi once said. That is really true because there was a time when I would have punched you if you had even discussed retirement. It seems to be now.

During an incredible tour, O’Brien won ranking events, made it to a Masters final, and rose as high as ninth in the world.

He only has the utmost affection for his career and would not trade his time on the bench for anything, even if he would have like to have won more titles.