Herd: It was just like old times

A TRIP to Ireland for the World Seniors Tour brought back happy memories for Neil Herd and his 78-year-old dad.

Herd – who lives in Frome – got up at 4am, drove to Bristol airport for the flight to Dublin and drove an hour to the Ivy Rooms Snooker Club in Carlow for the second qualifying event for the Irish Masters.

He beat former Irish professional Colm Gilgreest 3-2 on a re-spotted black but “ran out of steam” in a 3-0 defeat by another ex-pro, Lee Richardson, in the quarter-finals.

“The early start and the travelling caught up with me,” said the Cuestars Seniors Tour player.

“But it was a great experience.”

Herd, whose business Attic Life is the main sponsor of rookie professional Billy Castle, added: “I had my dad with me which was great as it was like old times when he drove me around the country playing in competitions.

“We stayed overnight in Carlow and sampled several pints of Guinness.”

In the previous event, an intrepid Neil Carroll dropped two places to 29th in the rankings after an 856-mile round trip to The Ball Room in Glasgow.

The 53-year-old from Rownhams (and his wife) drove 428 miles north, stayed overnight, lost 3-0 in the first round of the third qualifying event for the world championship to Mark Bell (Leeds) and drove 428 miles home.

The following day, he was in Swindon for a Cuestars Seniors Tour event.

Picture by Tim Dunkley

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)