Fergal Quinn Launches Professional Snooker Career with High Hopes

Fergal Quinn, a promising talent from Ireland, is set to embark on his professional snooker career on Monday, June 22, 2025. After successfully securing his spot on the World Snooker Tour (WST) earlier this month, Quinn prepares to compete against top players like Thepchaiya Un-Noo and Gao Yang in the upcoming Wuhan Open and British Open qualifiers, held in Leicester. This marks a significant milestone in Quinn's career, especially after he failed to qualify in previous attempts since 2018.

Quinn's journey to professional snooker has not been without its challenges. Growing up in Cookstown and Coalisland, County Tyrone, he faced numerous setbacks that nearly led him to abandon the sport altogether. However, a strong performance at the WSF World Amateur Championship in Morocco earlier this year reignited his passion and determination. "One afternoon I was going to walk away from it. Then I got to the world semis, and that got me a wild card into the World Snooker Championship qualifiers in April," Quinn told RTÉ Sport journalist Peter Branigan.

Now residing in Sheffield, Quinn trains at the Victoria's Snooker Academy, just a short distance from the famous Crucible Theatre, where the World Championships are held each spring. "No better place to be," he remarked about his current training environment, which is known for producing some of the best snooker talent in the world.

Quinn’s recent success at the Q School, where he earned his tour card, came after a series of defeats that tested his resolve. Reflecting on his experience, he stated, "The more pain you go through, it makes you stronger. If you can handle life's challenges, it makes a game of snooker a touch easier, the pressure side of it."

His determination to succeed has become a central theme in his approach to the game. "I handle myself a lot better now, I'm more self-confident. I've more belief in myself that I do deserve this. I earned this place to become a professional and I belong here," Quinn asserted. This newfound confidence has propelled him to aim for an early victory in his professional matches, which he believes will help him settle into the competitive environment of the tour.

The WST is known for its rigorous competition, and Quinn acknowledges the difficulty ahead. His immediate goal is to secure his first win, which he believes will help him relax and adapt to the pressures of professional play. "For every first-time professional, the goal at the end of the two years is to get into the top 64 and stay on the tour. That's very hard and it's not really expected for me to do that, but that has to be the first goal," he explained.

As Quinn prepares for his professional debut, the snooker community watches closely. Supporters and analysts alike are keen to see how he will navigate the demanding landscape of elite snooker, with many hopeful that his resilience and dedication will lead to success on the international stage. In the coming years, the young player aims to not only compete but to thrive, hoping to make significant strides in his career as he takes on the challenges that lie ahead.