Blackpool ace James Cahill aiming to stun the snooker world again in Sheffield after triumph over Ronnie O'Sullivan

Blackpool snooker ace James Cahill is bidding to return to the scene of his greatest triumph as his qualifying campaign for the World Championship begins tomorrow.
By Andy Moore
Published 21st Jul 2020, 16:53 BST
Updated 21st Jul 2020, 16:56 BST
James Cahill (right) shakes hands with Ronnie O'Sullivan after the ultimate upset at last year's World Snooker ChampionshipJames Cahill (right) shakes hands with Ronnie O'Sullivan after the ultimate upset at last year's World Snooker Championship
James Cahill (right) shakes hands with Ronnie O'Sullivan after the ultimate upset at last year's World Snooker Championship
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When Cahill pulled off snooker's greatest shock

It was in last year's world showpiece at Sheffield's Crucible theatre that the 24-year-old from Marton pulled off one of the greatest shocks in the sport's history by defeating world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-8 in the first round.

The first amateur ever to qualify for the Crucible, Cahill was pipped by Stephen Maguire in the deciding frame in round two.

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Cahill is back in Sheffield and back in the qualifiers tomorrow night, taking on the Belgian Ben Mertens over 11 frames at the English Institute of Sport.

Four qualifying rounds take place over the coming week, with Cahill or Mertens set to face Sam Baird in round two on Friday afternoon.

Cahill is now back in the professional ranks after his Crucible heroics, and victory over another world number one Mark Selby in the UK Championships, earned him a two-year tour card.

Now ranked 106th in the world, it's fair to say this season hasn't gone as well as Cahill would have hoped - the highlight a win over 12th seed David Gilbert in the UK Championships - but the big tournaments most definitely bring the best out of him.

The Crucible spectacular itself, delayed by coronavirus, starts a week on Friday.

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