Former world snooker champion Ken Doherty announces retirement from professional game

Irishman Doherty has enjoyed a long and illustrious career on snooker’s top-flight, but now aged 56 years old feels that he can no longer achieve what he wants to on the pro tour, and will not line up for the upcoming 2026/27 season that begins next week.

Doherty had a glittering amateur career, winning both the Irish and all-Irish national championship titles, and global success in claiming the world under-21 and world amateur championship double in 1989.

Turning professional the following year, after only three seasons the Dubliner broke into the world’s top 16 rankings. Doherty would spend much of his career inside the elite bracket, reaching a highest rating of number two for the 2006/07 season.

Having already won both the Masters qualifying event and Irish Professional Championship, Doherty's maiden ranking event crown came at the 1993 Welsh Open in Newport when he defeated Alan McManus in the final.

‘The Darling of Dublin’ would capture six ranking event titles throughout his career, including snooker’s biggest accolade of all, the World Championship, at the Crucible Theatre in 1997.

Heading to Sheffield that year with his top 16 status in jeopardy, Doherty defeated former six-time champion Steve Davis and future four-time world champion John Higgins en route to the final where he faced the all-conquering reigning and defending champion Stephen Hendry who was aiming for a sixth consecutive world title.

But against the odds - and despite his opponent compiling five centuries in the tie - Doherty conjured up one of the most memorable performances in the blue riband tournament’s history, ending Hendry’s unprecedented 29-match winning streak at the venue with an 18-12 victory to become only the second non-UK Crucible champion.

Twelve months later, Doherty came very close to successfully defending the crown, only being denied by Higgins in the final. Another final outing arrived in 2003 when he battled back from 10-2 down to draw level against Mark Williams, although he would eventually have to settle for silver in a narrow 18-16 defeat.

Doherty was so near to adding to his Triple Crown collection elsewhere on the circuit, reaching the UK Championship final on three occasions (1994, 2001, 2002) - being ousted in a deciding frame by Williams in ‘02.

Twice he made the Masters final at the Wembley Conference Centre - in back-to-back years in 1999 and 2000 - losing 10-8 both times to John Higgins and Matthew Stevens, respectively. In the latter, Doherty famously missed the final black for a maximum 147 break - a mistake that cost him a luxury sports car and his first maximum in professional competition.

However, he would realise the feat of green baize perfection when constructing a 147 at the 2012 Paul Hunter Classic in Germany.

After battling to get back inside the world's top 32, Doherty slipped outside that bracket over a decade ago and never got back inside.

Whilst there have been highlight moments when he rolled back the years, Doherty dropped further down the global pecking order was relegated a few times. However, because of his achievements and standing within the sport, Doherty was awarded with an 'invitational tour card', preserving his professional status and prolonging his career.

The latest of these was issued two years ago, but with that ticket expiring after his 10-5 defeat to amateur player Patrick Whelan in the first qualifying round of the 2026 World Snooker Championship in early April, Doherty ended the season ranked 106th - well outside the cut-off to retain his place through the rankings.

Whether Doherty was, or would have been offered another tour card is unclear, but the popular cueist - who has already carved out a long and successful commentary and punditry career with the BBC - has chosen to hang up his playing cue, for the top tier, anyways.

“The time has come” Doherty announces retirement verdict

News broke of Doherty’s retirement decision within the Irish press on Wednesday morning. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Doherty said: “It’s come to that time and I’ve decided to call it a day on the main tour.

‘I’m still going to play on the seniors, but on the main tour, the time has come.

“I probably should have hung up the cue a few years ago. But I just love the game, love playing, doing the exhibitions.

“That will never change, but it’s just time to call an end to the career and say that’s enough.

Results last season were a struggle for Doherty as he amassed only five match wins throughout the campaign - the term before he won just three - and he came to the realisation that he could no longer play to the level he wanted or needed to on snooker’s premiership.

He added: “The goal was always just to play finally at the Crucible for one more year, and 2027 is the anniversary (of his world championship win), but I just don’t think I’m able to do it any more. That’s the problem. The guys are too good.

“There’s so many young guys coming up. They have the youth on the side. I don’t any more.

“You’re beating your head against a brick wall and it’s just not going to happen. I enjoy doing the broadcasting as well, so I’ll be there next year, whatever happens.

“I’ve had a great time. I want to thank everybody, obviously, for all the support over the years. It’s been magnificent, not only here in Ireland, but all over the world.”