Scottish snooker's first Crucible star Jim Donnelly passes away
Former professional snooker star Jim Donnelly has passed away at the age of 79.
Winner of the Scottish Amateur Championship in 1978, Donnelly turned professional three years later.
During his first World Professional Snooker Championship campaign in 1982, Donnelly defeated fellow countrymen Matt Gibson and Eddie Sinclair, both 9-8, to qualify for and become the first Scot to play at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
At the iconic venue, Donnelly faced six-time world champion Ray Reardon in the opening round, where he won three consecutive frames to trail by just one at 6-5 down before the Welshman ran out a 10-5 victor.
Reardon went on to reach the final where he was memorably defeated by Alex Higgins, 18-15.
Later in the same year, Donnelly was part of the Scotland team that took part in the World Team Classic who shocked and eliminated Northern Ireland with a 4-1 win in the groups stage. Donnelly defeated world title holder Higgins 2-1, and Dennis Taylor 2-0.
He also played for Scotland at the 1985, 86 and 89 World Cups; in the latter edition he was teammates with Stephen Hendry.
Donnelly’s best result at a world ranking event came at the 1983 International Open when he eliminated Cliff Wilson and David Taylor en route to the last 16 where he was denied by Silvino Francisco, 5-1.
In 1987, Donnelly reached the final of the Scottish Professional Championship and was just three frames away from the title before losing to Hendry, 10-7.
He played his last matches on the professional circuit in 1996/97 season, but continued to be involved with the sport as a coach.
According to information online, Donnelly died on the morning of Tuesday 24th February at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Tributes have been left online to Donnelly, and fellow countryman, four-time world champion John Higgins saluted him during at post-match interview at the Welsh Open by saying: "Jim was the part owner of the club in Wishaw, the Masters, when I first started playing.
"My dad took me and my brother down. Jim ran coaching classes for 20 or 30 boys, he showed us how to hold a cue, how to play from the cushions, different little things like that. It's a really sad loss and my thoughts go out to his family and friends."
Everyone at Totally Snookered sends their condolences to Jim’s family and friends at this sad time.