In a heartfelt tribute to the late snooker legend John Virgo, a stellar lineup of the sport's greatest players will compete in the inaugural John Virgo Trophy this April. The two-day event, scheduled for April 11-12 at Goffs in Kildare, Ireland, will feature four of snooker's most iconic figures: Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, and Mark Williams.
A Fitting Tribute to a Snooker Icon
John Virgo, who passed away at age 79 last week, was celebrated as both a world-class player and beloved commentator. The snooker community has been mourning his loss, with this tournament serving as a poignant memorial to his enduring legacy. Organizers have crafted an event that promises competitive intensity and heartfelt remembrance.
Legendary Matchups and Format
The tournament will feature two compelling semi-finals: seven-time world champions Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry will face off in one match, while fellow legends John Higgins and Mark Williams will battle in the other. The winners will advance to a final showdown. All matches will follow the Snooker 900 format, featuring 15-minute frames with a 20-second shot clock, ball-in-hand foul rules, and sudden-death blue-ball shootouts for ties.
Jason Francis, creator of Snooker 900, emphasized the competitive nature of the event: 'This is not an exhibition. These players are competing for prize money with serious intensity, exactly as our great friend John Virgo would have wanted. With all four participants arguably among the top five or six players ever to play the game, this promises to be a spectacular display of snooker excellence.'
Complete Event Schedule and Additional Attractions
Beyond the main tournament, the John Virgo Trophy will showcase various supporting events:
- Irish Legends Doubles featuring former professionals like Fergal O'Brien, Michael Judge, and Joe Delaney
- Irish Junior Snooker 900 Championship for under-16 players
- Trick Shot Cabaret with 1985 World Champion Dennis Taylor
- Third-place playoff between the semi-final losers
The event will be broadcast live on Pluto TV, making it accessible to fans worldwide. Organizers describe it as 'the biggest snooker event in Ireland for 20 years,' with tickets going on sale February 27.
Emotional Tributes and Professional Context
Stephen Hendry spoke movingly about Virgo's passing: 'It's utterly devastating. At the moment, I'm not even looking forward to the World Championship because I know he's not going to be there. No one could translate the excitement of a match into commentary like John. He made dull matches seem exciting with his enthusiasm and knowledge.'
The tournament timing is particularly significant, occurring just one week before the World Professional Championship begins at the Crucible on April 18. With O'Sullivan, Higgins, and Williams scheduled to compete in Sheffield, the John Virgo Trophy serves as both a warm-up event and a meaningful tribute.
This gathering of snooker royalty not only honors John Virgo's memory but also provides fans with an unprecedented opportunity to witness four of the sport's greatest competitors in a unique, competitive format. The combination of legendary matchups, supporting events, and emotional significance makes the John Virgo Trophy a landmark occasion in the snooker calendar.
