World Snooker Championships: The O'Sullivan paradox

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN begins his bid for a sixth world title against qualifier David Gilbert at the Crucible in Sheffield today.

The Rocket - previously champion in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2013 - is an overwhelming favourite, not only in his first round match but for the tournament as a whole.

In fact, O'Sullivan is generally as short as 7/4 with most bookmakers - and, undoubtedly, he remains the biggest draw in the sport.

Paradoxically, though, his continued dominance is not particularly healthy for snooker as a whole.

A post-Ronnie era has yet to emerge even though O'Sullivan is now aged 40 - and, while this has much to do with his own fitness from his regimented healthy lifestyle, even the Rocket has expressed some frustration with the competition.

In 2013, O'Sullivan won his fifth world title, defeating Barry Hawkins 18-12 - despite having spent a whole year outside of the game.

Afterwards, he said: "The standard's great. Look at the way Barry (Hawkins) played in the final. But what you are lacking is someone who adds a bit of pizazz.

"I think every sport needs someone like Alex Higgins or Eric Cantona, it's about the characters.

"They're all nice guys and all good boys, but it needs someone to get in there. Some of them are trying to do it but it's just not natural. You need someone like me who just comes out and does my thing."

Earlier this year, at the Masters at Alexandra Palace, Hawkins was on the end of another beating by O'Sullivan who delivered a 10-1 thrashing in the Final.

Speaking as part of a generation which includes fellow former world champions John Higgins and Mark Williams, O'Sullivan said: "We have kept our level high and are waiting for someone young, or two or three, to come through and take it away from us – but it doesn’t seem to be happening."

Perhaps that is a little unfair on the likes of world number one, 2014 champion Mark Selby, or 2010 champion Neil Robertson.

But even fans of the Jester from Leicester would have to agree that he often grinds his way through games, a style which led to O'Sullivan labelling him as "The Torturer".

Meanwhile, Robertson himself is no spring chicken at 34 years old - and another one-time emerging force in the sport, Ding Junhui, has so badly lost his way that he was forced to qualify for the tournament this year.

Instead, the most likely heir to the title of fans' favourite remains Judd Trump, the 26-year-old who was runner-up to John Higgins in 2011.

However, a searing lack of consistency blights the Bristolian's game - though, last year, he was unfortunate in losing to Stuart Bingham in the deciding frame of a classic Crucible semi final.

Bingham, of course, went on to win the title - beating Shaun Murphy 18-15 in the Final - but already it has been assured that there will no repeat of that outcome this year.

The Crucible Curse - which determines that no first-time champion has ever successfully defended their crown at the venue - struck again on the opening day as Ali Carter won a decider.

Carter - a two-times runner-up - was always going to be a tough opening opponent for Bingham - and, while the latter has been a gracious and gentlemanly world champion, the result is not actually that big a shock.

For Bingham, as lovely a bloke as he seems to be, was hardly a big name champion.

Indeed, the only time that snooker has made it onto the back pages of the newspapers this year was when O'Sullivan controversially decided against making a 147 at the Welsh Open in February.

This was nothing new for O'Sullivan who had previously almost turned down a maximum at the World Open in Glasgow in 2010 before being convinced by referee Jan Verhaas on that occasion to complete the break.

But there was nothing which could convince O'Sullivan in Cardiff this year - and, while his unusual 146 break earned snooker some rare backpage headlines, it was not exactly the finest moment for the sport.

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn recognised that and described O'Sullivan's action as "unacceptable" and "disrespectful".

However, Hearn is well aware that, although there is no single player bigger than the game itself, the Rocket comes close to holding that status.

Not that this necessarily means the bookmakers will be right. The World Championship at the Crucible is a 17-day event, a psychological marathon which tests every sinew in a survival of the fittest.

Therefore, it would be no surprise if a battler and a grinder like O'Sullivan's torturer Selby prevailed again.

Whatever happens, though, the action at the Crucible usually makes for epic viewing with coverage provided by the BBC and Eurosport throughout.

Grand National: Teenage kicks Rule The World

TEENAGE jockey David Mullins landed in dreamland after he rode the aptly-named Rule The World to victory in the 169th renewal of the Grand National at a sodden Aintree racecourse.

Mullins powered home in the final straight of his maiden National to finish six lengths clear of joint favourite The Last Samurai and 100/1 shot Vics Canvas.

For trainer Mouse Morris too, this was an emotional triumph over the hurdles. Morris's son Christopher - nicknamed Tiffer - died last year aged just 30 of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Argentina.

And while victory on Merseyside cannot bring his son back, Morris immediately turned his thoughts towards him, saying: “Tiffer was looking down on me today. He helped me there."

For 19-year-old Mullins, a nephew of champion trainer Willie, this was an incredible start to his Grand National career.

But, for others in the starting field of 39, this was a very short race indeed. That was certainly true for Hadrian's Approach who unseated his rider at the first, while First Lieutenant and the fancied Holywell fell at the second.

At the front, Aachen took up the early lead from The Romford Pele, Double Ross and last year's runner-up Saint Are.

Meanwhile, Many Clouds - aiming to become the first back-to-back winner of the National since Red Rum in the 1970s - took up a good early position.

The Romford Pele then unseated his rider at the Canal Turn - but Aachen, Double Ross and Saint Are continued to lead the race as they headed back towards the grandstands.

A loose horse caused some bother at the Chair where On His Own and Sir Des Champs both fell.

Nonetheless, a large part of the field remained in with a chance of the big prize as they crossed the Melling Road to begin the second circuit.

They included still, of course, the history-chasing Many Clouds and his history-chasing jockey Leighton Aspell - and, as they jumped the 19th, they hit the front once more.

Excitement built as they retained their lead heading over Foinavon, around the Canal Turn and onto Valentine's.

But it was still too early to be rewriting the history books - and, at the 26th fence of 30, Many Clouds duly made a terrible error which completely took the wind out of his sails.

Thereafter, he and Aspell understandly went backwards - and, instead, it was the other joint favourite The Last Samurai who took the lead ahead of Morning Assembly and Vics Canvas.

As Morning Assembly faded just as quickly, Rule The World finally moved into a threatening position, taking the last fence in third behind The Last Samurai and Vics Canvas.

It was clear as they rounded the Elbow that this had indeed turned into a three-horse race - and, ultimately, it was Mullins who had timed his mount's ride to perfection.

Steaming past the other two contenders, nine-year-old Rule The World completed what was remarkably his first ever win over fences.

And it all means Mullins wakes up this morning knowing life will never be quite the same again.

GRAND NATIONAL 2016 RESULT 
Aintree, 5.15pm (Channel 4). Going: Soft, heavy in places. 39 ran.
 

1st	RULE THE WORLD	David Mullins	33-1 (6 lengths)
2nd	The Last Samurai	David Bass	8-1JF
3rd	Vics Canvas	Robert Dunne	100-1
4th	Gilgamboa	Robbie Power	28-1
5th	Goonyella	Jonathan Burke	12-1

Other finishers
6th Ucello Conti (25/1), 7th Vieux Lion Rouge (66/1), 8th Morning Assembly (16/1), 9th Shutthefrontdoor (12/1), 10th Unioniste (28/1), 11th Le Reve (50/1), 12th Buywise (33/1), 13th Pendra (50/1), 14th Triolo d'Alene (50/1), 15th Just A Par (40/1), 16th Many Clouds (8/1JF)

Failed to finish (pulled up unless stated)
1st Hadrian's Approach (unseated rider)
2nd First Lieutenant (fell), Holywell (fell)
8th (Canal Turn) The Romford Pele (unseated)
12th Rocky Creek
14th Silviniaco Conti
15th (The Chair) On His Own (fell), Sir Des Champs (fell)
18th Gallant Oscar (unseated)
19th Ballynagour (unseated)
21st Soll, The Druid's Nephew, Home Farm, Black Thunder
22nd (Becher's Brook) Katenko (fell), Boston Bob, Aachen, Onenightinvienna (unseated)
24th (Canal Turn) Wonderful Charm
26th Double Ross
27th Kruzhlinin
29th Ballycasey (unseated)
30th Saint Are

Touching Distance

03 April 1996 - FA Carling Premiership
Liverpool 4 Fowler 2, 55, Collymore 68, 90+2
Newcastle United 3 Ferdinand 10, Ginola 14, Asprilla 57

Liverpool David James - Jason McAteer, Mark Wright (Steve Harkness 45), John Scales, Neil Ruddock, Rob Jones (Ian Rush 85) - Jamie Redknapp, John Barnes, Steve McManaman - Stan Collymore, Robbie Fowler
Newcastle United Pavel Srníček - Steve Watson, Steve Howey (Darren Peacock 82), Philippe Albert, John Beresford - Peter Beardsley, David Batty, Robert Lee, David Ginola - Faustino Asprilla, Les Ferdinand. Booked Peter Beardsley, David Batty
Attendance 40,702 at Anfield Referee Mike Read (Birmingham)
Kick-off 8pm. Live on Sky Sports.

KEVIN KEEGAN slumped over an advertising hoarding at Anfield. It is a defining image of football as a Newcastle United fan in the 1990s.

Stan Collymore closed in on his stoppage time goal exactly 20 years ago today as the Magpies' stab at a first league title since 1927 suffered a horrendous blow.

This 4-3 match is still considered an era-defining game and was voted as the Premier League's "match of the decade".

But, as a Newcastle fan, it would be a soul-destroying 90 minutes.

The anxiety began early as the aforementioned Collymore produced an inch-perfect cross for Robbie Fowler to head Liverpool into the lead after just two minutes.

Newcastle under Keegan, however, had genuine spirit - after all, they were going for the title - and they fought their way back to take the lead inside of the first quarter hour.

First, Faustino Asprilla jinked down the right and set up Les Ferdinand to strike in front of the Kop - then David Ginola finished a fast break by firing home from the edge of the box.

The Magpies held the lead at half time - but the first 45 minutes of action had merely served as an aperitif of what was to follow.

Liverpool got back on terms within 10 minutes of the break as Steve McManaman turned Philippe Albert inside out on the right before setting up Fowler for his second. Fowler slid into the net head first in celebration.

Nonetheless, two minutes later, Newcastle were ahead again with the best goal of the game.

Peter Beardsley slipped in Robert Lee on halfway and the England midfielder slid in Asprilla down the right-hand channel.

David James came right out to the edge of his box in an attempt to close the angle but the wily Colombian maverick swerved the ball with the outside of his right boot into an empty net.

It was 3-2 - but there was still more than half an hour to play. I was only 12 years old at the time and was afforded the luxury of watching the match on Sky Sports at a neighbour's house. It seemed like an eternity.

Collymore equalised for Liverpool on 68 minutes after he stabbed home from Jason McAteer's dangerous cross just ahead of Pavel Srníček.

And, clearly, the action was not about to dissipate - both teams were still going hell for leather.

Newcastle created the next big chance as Albert, looking to atone for his backing off earlier, found Ferdinand in the left-hand channel.

The big-hearted Londoner battled past Steve Harkness and was clear in the box but he could only shoot straight at James who did not know a lot about his save.

It should have been Ferdinand's 24th league goal of the season and it should have been 4-3 to Newcastle.

But it was neither of those things. Instead, the script was set for a stoppage time winner and it was John Barnes for Liverpool who had the ball.

Barnes and substitute Ian Rush - both of whom would turn out in black-and-white just over a year later - slalomed through a tiring and retreating Newcastle rearguard. They were being roared forward by the home support, and the tension was unbearable.

The pair made it to the edge of the box then Barnes, after adjusting his feet around Rush, found Collymore in space on the left side of the box. The rest is history.

Keegan's reaction summed up the feelings of every Newcastle fan. This was a glorious match in which to be involved, but it was also a crushing defeat. For the first time in following Newcastle, I shed tears and felt scarred.

Author Martin Hardy, in his excellent recent book Touching Distance - about the Magpies' 1995/96 season - wrote: "Everywhere you looked people seemed exhausted, drained. I don't recall a game lasting so long.

"Keegan had slumped over the advertising hoardings in front of the visiting dugout when the fourth goal went in.

"Once more, his mood mirrored those following the club. Deflated. It was impossible not to be."

Incredibly, less than a week later at defending champions Blackburn Rovers, there was another huge blow to come - more tears were shed and more wounds inflicted on my psyche.

Given a late lead in another tense match live on Sky Sports through David Batty, Newcastle were set to close back to within three points of Manchester United with a game in hand.

But the Liverpool game loomed large in the haunted memories of the Magpies' defenders and, with four minutes left, Whitley Bay-born Newcastle fan Graham Fenton volleyed unmarked past Shaka Hislop to equalise.

Then, in the last minute, it got worse. On the break after a desperate Newcastle attack, Alan Shearer - in a two-versus-two - again found Fenton unmarked.

From the edge of the box, Fenton dinked the ball past the onrushing Hislop for a certain winner. It finished 2-1 at Ewood Park.

Strangely enough, after that game, Newcastle rallied somewhat - winning a trio of games 1-0 against Aston Villa, Southampton, and Leeds United.

Of course, the Leeds match infamously ended in Keegan's declaration that Newcastle were "still fighting for [the] title" and that he would "love it if we beat them [Manchester United]".

Mind games, it may have been from Alex Ferguson - but Keegan had been provoked into his rant by the Manchester United manager suggesting unfairly that Leeds and Nottingham Forest would not try as hard against the Magpies as his own side.

As it happened, Forest held Newcastle to a 1-1 draw at the City Ground in another evening game on the last Thursday of the season as Ian Woan cancelled out a Beardsley goal.

Nevertheless, Newcastle still went into the last day with a mathematical chance of the title. Keegan's men were two points behind Manchester United with an inferior goal difference so needed a win while the Red Devils lost.

Fate had already decided that it was not going to be Newcastle's year, however - and the Magpies could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester United, meanwhile, cruised to a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough who - ironically, given Ferguson's comments - did not seem to put up much of a fight. Boro, of course, were managed by former Old Trafford skipper Bryan Robson.

At the final whistle of the match against Spurs, I left the social club where I had watched the game on television with my uncle - full of Coca-Cola, full of disappointment.

I got home to my room, alone, and broke down in tears again. Yet, even then - as a 12-year-old - there was a certain pride felt in how close Newcastle had gone.

There was a realisation that Tyneside had been blessed with a very special team and a very special manager. Ferdinand, Beardsley, Lee, Asprilla, Ginola, Gillespie, Srníček, Beresford, Barton.

Keegan.

It is certainly not like that now. This weekend, Newcastle suffered another agonising stoppage time defeat - but, rather than Liverpool at Anfield, it was against Norwich City at Carrow Road - and, rather than to win the title, it was to retain any realistic hope of staying in the Premier League.

Indeed, to actually name any of the individuals currently involved with Newcastle United in the same breath as that team from 1995/96 would be a waste of oxygen.

So I won't bother with that self-defeating exercise.

Instead, I will just indulge in some more memories of 20 years ago, smile, and perhaps not feel so sad this time.