Fergal O'Brien realistic over what the future holds

By his own admission, things have to change.

Former world number 10 and 1999 British Open champion Fergal O'Brien has struggled for consistency in recent years, and a continuation of that has sapped some of the motivation to extend his 30-plus years as a professional on the circuit.

"The last few years I haven’t been playing so well. You lose a bit of confidence in your game, it becomes less appealing," he told RTÉ Sport after his 4-2 defeat to John Higgins at the Northern Ireland Open, a game that could easily have swung his way.

"If you said the next two years are going to be like the last two or four, I’ve no great interest in that. I have had loads of last-32s and last-16s, I don’t need any more of them."

There have however been green shoots for the 50-year-old this season. The defeat to the four-time world champion at Belfast's Waterfront Hall saw O’Brien lose two frames on black.

You're always hoping with an improvement in form that you get that good week, or good run

He edged out Thepchaiya Un-Nooh to reach the last-32 of the Welsh Open, but most importantly, regaining his tour card this summer at Q School in Sheffield.

The Celbridge-based player had previously suggested that his lack of form would mean more careful tournament selection, but a change in rules have changed that course of action.

Though as he says himself, that could prove to be a blessing in disguise.

"You’re always hoping with an improvement in form that you get that good week, or good run.

"Certainly, the last few weeks I have been much happier with my game, but any plans I had to pick and choose my games is gone because World Snooker, and fair play to them, have the 20-man guarantee which means you have to enter all tournaments.

"Maybe that might be the