World ranking: 9
Last five seasons: 11-20-23-36-38
Date of birth: 08-03-72
Lives: Bayside, Dublin
Turned professional: 1991
Ranking tournament victories: 1
Last season’s prize money: £99,325
Career prize money: £425,145
Highest tournament break: 143

Fergal O’Brien had double cause for celebration during the 1998-99 season as he claimed his first major title and secured his place among the world’s top 16 players for the first time.

The softly-spoken Dubliner showed all his battling qualities in the 1999 British Open, winning four of his six matches in the deciding frame - including a 6-5 semi-final victory over John Higgins - and then overcoming Anthony Hamilton 9-7 in the final.

An emotional O’Brien dedicated his triumph to his grandfather Danny Burke, who has pased away two months earlier.

“He used to come to the tournaments with me and I’m sure he was there with me in spirit for the final,” said fearless Fergal after collecting a cheque for £60,000.

O’Brien made his Crucible debut in 1994 but then had to wait four years for his next visit to Sheffield - and his first victory there - as he came from 9-6 down to defeat Thailand’s James Wattana 10-9. He lost 13-5 to Peter Ebdon in the second round.

There was no hiding his relief about finally clinching that elusive top 16 place.

“When you’re knocking on the door of the top 16 it puts extra pressure on you.

"The qualifying game was the hardest match I’ve ever had,” he said after beating Joe Perry 10-7 to book his place in the final phase.

By rising nine places to 11th, O’Brien ensured that the Republic of Ireland had two players (Ken Doherty is the other) in the top 16 for the first time.

He continued his progress last season, climbing a further two places in the rankings and reaching the quarter-finals of the Embassy World Championship for the first time.

He overcame Chris Small 10-8 and Stephen Lee 13-8 before going out 13-5 to eventual winner Mark Williams.

“I have learned a lot,” he said afterwards.

“Winning matches out there, killing time in between - I have a much better picture in my mind now of what it’s like to go all 17 days and the demands it places on you.”