Fergal O'Brien still dreaming of the Crucible despite tough wake-up call this season

Fergal O'Brien is clear, he's coming towards the last season of his professional snooker career.

Last summer he secured a two-year tour card through Q School, but a disappointing campaign means he's already thinking about life off the baize.

He'll finish out his card, but realistically the upcoming qualifiers for the World Championship might be the beginning of his second last chance to reach the promised land.

"It would take something extraordinary to happen for that to change," says the 51-year-old.

"After last year's World Championship qualifier exit, my first reaction was that I wasn't going to go to Q School. If it had been on a few weeks earlier, I wouldn't have gone.

"Had I not secured my tour card last year I was never going to take a year out and come back this year to go through Q School again.

"If I hadn't gone to Q School, that was it."

What comes next is also clear in O'Brien's mind as he plans a new course, with snooker still front and centre.

"Doing some TV work, commentary and studio analysis, is definitely something I'll pursue. Even if I was offered it full-time now, and it meant stopping playing, I'd do that now.

"I'm also doing coaching in Ireland, trying to find the next prospect, as well as working with some of our top amateurs. Down the road I'd like to work with some of the pros."

O'Brien has worked with Aaron Hill, who is also in qualifier action this week, with the Cork 20-year-old singing his praises after he helped him to win his own tour card last summer.

Before all that though, there's the minor matter of O'Brien attempting to plot a course through the snake pit and put himself into the main draw for the Crucible.

The 1999 British Open champion has slipped to 129 on the one-year ranking list, reflecting