Former world champion Doherty announces retirementImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ken Doherty won his first ranking event in 1993 at the Welsh OpenBySteve SutcliffeBBC Sport journalistPublished5 minutes agoFormer world champion Ken Doherty has revealed his retirement from professional snooker after a 36-year career.Doherty, 56, reached the pinnacle of the sport when he defeated Stephen Hendry 18-12, with a cue that had cost him £2, in the 1997 Crucible final. The Irishman, who turned professional in 1990, won six ranking events and 17 other titles in total.He also reached two more World Championship finals in 1998 and 2003 and narrowly missed out in the other Triple Crown events, advancing to the final of the UK Championship three times and finishing as runner-up in the Masters twice. However, Doherty, who was world number two during the 2006-07 season, has split his time between playing and punditry work in recent years after slipping down the rankings and only competing on the main tour courtesy of an invitational card. “It was sad initially when I made the decision, but I’m happy with it now. I wasn’t going anywhere and even if I played for another couple of years, I’d come to the realisation I wasn’t going to get any better,” reported Doherty. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ken Doherty stopped Stephen Hendry winning a sixth consecutive world title in 1997 Having failed to qualify for the World Championship since 2014, his decision to put away his cue arrives with the realisation that turning out at the Crucible on one last occasion had become out of reach. “I wasn’t going to compete like I used to. I probably should have done it a few years ago, but I love the game. I love competing and I love playing,” Doherty added.”I was hoping something would change but it didn’t. I’ve had a great time playing and have some wonderful memories. “I’m going to miss it for sure, but it has come as a relief.”The Dubliner remains the only player ever from the Republic of Ireland to win snooker’s biggest prize having moved to London in the late 1980s to pursue his dream.”I came over with a cue, my bag and £500 in my pocket. That was all I had. I was seeking my dreams and didn’t know what to expect,” Doherty added. “When I first picked up a cue as a kid, winning the World Championship was my dream. “After Alex Higgins winning it in 1982 and Dennis Taylor in 1985, these were inspirational moments for me. To emulate what they achieved and lift that cup up was a real honour and a sense of pride.”Figure caption, Ken Doherty reminisces about career highlights, near death experiences and how Jimmy White and the Rolling Stones got him into troubleRelated topicsSnooker
