Blackpool snooker ace James Cahill makes winning start in bid to return to scene of his world-beating upset

The Marton 25-year-old caused one of the most sensational upsets in snooker history two years ago, inflicting a first-round defeat on Ronnie O’Sullivan on the sport’s grandest stage at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.

Then playing as an amateur, Cahill’s heroics earned him a two-year return to the professional ranks but he has endured a miserable 2020-21 season to date.

Cahill has managed only three wins in ranking events, never progressing beyond the second round, but hopes snooker’s most prestigious championship will again inspire him.

Having slipped to 88th in the rankings, Cahill has been forced to enter the qualifying tournament in Sheffield at the first-round stage but he made a comfortable start, defeating Sean Maddocks 6-1.

Cahill lost the opening frame but then racked up six in succession, with breaks of 63 and 75 in the final two, to set up a clash with Northern Irishman Gerard Greene in round two on Friday.

Cahill would have to win through four rounds to reach the Crucible, where the championship begins in earnest a week on Saturday.

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