O'Sullivan - edged out Higgins.

O'SULLIVAN EDGES DUBLIN THRILLER

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In Dublin, where a pint of black stuff is king, Ronnie O'Sullivan produced a performance of 'pure genius' to win the Citywest Irish Masters.

The Six Nations Grand Slam decider at Lansdowne Road may not have been a tight affair.

But O'Sullivan's head-to-head with John Higgins in the same city was a close encounter of the best possible kind.

After 19 frames of superb snooker, The 'Rocket' completed a memorable 10-9 victory to claim a £48,000 first prize.

It was his second title of the month, his third of the season and there's every chance he could make it four when the tournament circuit rolls into Edinburgh on Saturday for the Regal Scottish Open.

O'Sullivan said after his semi-final victory over Paul Hunter he was considering pulling out in order to rest before the Embassy world championship.

However, in an absorbing match, during which O'Sullivan was never behind, he revealed: "The people running snooker deserve support because they are trying to get the game going.

"So, I'm 99 per cent certain I will be going to Edinburgh even if I just show my face.

"Since losing to Stephen Hendry at Sheffield last season, I have been working for the past 12 months trying to get ready for the Crucible.

"It is my main focus and I don't want to jeopardise my chance.

"We are there for 17 days so everything has to be spot on. But no single player is bigger than the game and I don't want to damage it by pulling out."

O'Sullivan has now won 13 games in a row and could be in danger of peaking too soon.

However, if he can maintain his hot streak then there's no reason why the 27-year-old Essex star shouldn't win the Scottish Open and the World Championship.

Against most other players Higgins wouldn't have been second best.

But O'Sullivan was 'in the zone' and despite losing his lead throughout the contest, he never trailed.

Higgins made two century breaks, including 123 to force a deciding frame.

O'Sullivan, though, always seemed to have something in reserve, including a 129 clearance to finish. No wonder the roof at the Citywest Hotel almost came off when O'Sullivan sank his final ball.

He was gracious in victory and again paid tribute to his coach and mentor, Derek 'Del' Hill.

"Del has to take a lot of credit for my wins," says the world number one.

"He's the best coach in snooker bar none. All the professionals who have been to see him will vouch for that.

"We've had a couple of fall outs over the years but I look back at that now and realise how lucky I am to have him."

Higgins also turned to a coach to help him win his first trophy since the Irish Masters 12 months ago.

Fellow Scot Richy McDonald had a great input last week and helped the world number four from Wishaw get so close.

"Half of me is disappointed I lost but half of me is delighted with the way I played," he said. "It was certainly the best match I've ever been involved in.

"We were like two boxers punching each other hard without being able to land a knockout blow.

"But I've got to say Ronnie made a fantastic break at the end.

"There was a great atmosphere out there - it was like a football match.

"Even though I've lost I know I have got a great chance to win one or possibly two of the remaining tournaments this season."

Higgins trailed 5-2, 7-5, 8-7 and 9-8 only to force the decider. But it was O'Sullivan who accepted his final chance to become just the ninth player in the history of the game to win back-to-back ranking titles.

He collects £48,000 while Higgins takes home £24,000. A £7,500 high-break prize went to world champion Peter Ebdon for an effort of 142 in his first round game against Brian Morgan.