World ranking: 16
Last five seasons: 9-11-20-23-36
Date of birth: 08-03-72
Lives: Bayside, Dublin
Turned professional: 1991
Ranking tournament victories: 1
Last season’s prize money: £155,580
Career prize money: £580,725
Highest tournament break: 143

Despite slipping down the rankings Fergal enjoyed a reasonable season last year and certainly looks capable of regaining a place in the top ten in this season.

The highlight of his campaign came when reaching the final of the Benson & Hedges Masters.

O’Brien defeated an all-star cast en route to the final, scoring victories over Mark Williams, Ken Doherty and Dave Harold.

The Irishman faced a rejuvenated Paul Hunter in the final where, despite taking an early lead, he eventually suffered a 10-9 defeat.

O’Brien also was an integral part of the Republic Of Ireland’s Nations Cup side that reached the final of the Reading event.

The Dubliner failed to hit the heights following his B & H defeat in a season that culminated with a disappointing 10-8 first-round exit at The Crucible at the hands of Mark King.

He claimed his first major title in the ’98 ’99 season with victory in the 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.

He continued his progress in the 1999-2000 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.