Jack McLaughlin

Jack McLaughlin
Born (1959-01-29) January 29, 1959
Sport country  Northern Ireland
Professional 1984–1995
Best ranking finish Quarter-final (1989 Dubai Classic)
Tournament wins
Non-ranking 1

Jack McLaughlin (born 29 January 1959) is a Northern Irish former professional snooker and billiards player. McLaughlin is most notable for winning the 1988 Irish Professional Championship.

Career

McLaughlin turned professional in 1985 at the age of 26 after being Northern Ireland Amateur Champion in 1983 and 1984.[1] McLaughlin's most notable moment came in the 1988 Irish Professional Championship in Antrim when he was the surprise winner of the tournament. After defeating Pascal Burke, Paul Watchorn and Joe O'Boye, he faced 1985 World Snooker Champion Dennis Taylor in the final.[2] Despite being a huge underdog, McLaughlin won the match 9-4 to become the first winner other than Taylor or Alex Higgins in sixteen years.[3][4] The following season he came close to defending his title, but lost 7-9 to Higgins.[5]

Outside of this win, McLaughlin's best ranking finish as a professional was reaching the quarter-final of the 1989 Dubai Classic where he was defeated 5-1 by Danny Fowler.[6] McLaughlin was also credited with coining Alex Higgins' nickname, "The Hurricane".[7]

McLaughlin left the professional game in 1995. After continuing to play amateur snooker he took up billiards in 2011, most notably reaching the final of the UK Seniors event in 2014.

Now working as a prison governor, he plays golf in his spare time as a leisure pursuit with his wife Lynne. <ref> "Jack McLaughlin".

Career finals

Non-ranking finals: 2 (1 title, 1 runner-up)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Winner 1. 1988 Irish Professional Championship Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor 9–4
Runner-up 1. 1989 Irish Professional Championship Northern Ireland Alex Higgins 7–9

Amateur finals: 2 (2 titles)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Winner 1. 1983 Northern Ireland Amateur Championship Northern Ireland John McIntyre 10–4
Winner 2. 1984 Northern Ireland Amateur Championship (2) Northern Ireland Harry Morgan 10–3

References

  1. ↑ "Jack Mclaughlin". World Billiards. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  2. ↑ "1988 Irish Professional Championship Results". Snooker Database. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  3. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  4. ↑ "On This Week". Eurosport. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  5. ↑ "1989 Irish Professional Championship Results". Snooker Database. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  6. ↑ "Jack McLaughlin". Snooker Database. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "Alex "Hurricane" Higgins: Two-times world snooker champion whose style of play and wild ways electrified the sport". The Independent. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
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