2017 UK Championship

[VillaGuy]

Yes when Ronnies gone there'll be a gap to be filled, but players like Luca Brecel giving continental Europeans the belief they can make it, as well as the Chinese, the sport will go more international. Then the Brits will want to fight back and reclaim the dominance, there's many ways of looking at it when Ronnie does hang his boots up.

[jw147]

Why do people always shout "come on Ronnie!" when there's nothing on? Then nothing when he has a pot to go for?

Seen this for years with jimmy, it can get annoying at times when fans are screaming to come on and nothing to pot!
Delighted ronnie won tonight, from 5-5 he just went through the gears, clinical evening performance

[crocodile]

I dread the day ronnie retires. I won't be watching with boring selby

Don't worry - there's lots of other players worth watching!

[KAH]

Don't worry - there's lots of other players worth watching!

I don’t know. I’ve never heard ‘come on X player’ from the fans about any other player other than ROS. Snooker might go downhill. But then again ROS just said he can’t see why he won’t still be playing in his 50s.

[VillaGuy]

It's only just sinking in the magnitude of that win, Murphy making very few errors coming into the final, high on confidence, beating everyone comfortably, then getting beat by Ronnie 10-5. Huge performance, like a robot

[gavpowell]

I don’t know. I’ve never heard ‘come on X player’ from the fans about any other player other than ROS. Snooker might go downhill. But then again ROS just said he can’t see why he won’t still be playing in his 50s.

Judd for one, and Luca will be another, and so will Sunny Akani if he plays like he did this week. There are plenty of other players worth watching regardless of whether they get the cheering and calling out.

[VillaGuy]

Judd for one, and Luca will be another, and so will Sunny Akani if he plays like he did this week. There are plenty of other players worth watching regardless of whether they get the cheering and calling out.

You don't need to stick up for snooker, if some fellow follows it for Ronnie then they are clearly in the 'name' culture. Probably won't follow football when Ronaldo quits either. That's a shame, but some people follow name's and know nothing bout the game. No great loss

[Hey]

Snooker isn't just about one selfish person who acquires all the attention...there are other fine players

[147Levitt]

Snooker isn't just about one selfish person who acquires all the attention...there are other fine players

Whilst, of course, snooker isn't merely about any one player, snooker without Ronnie O'Sullivan isn't something to relish. We simply have to enjoy him, and his brilliance, whilst he is still around.

Will there ever be another Ronnie O'Sullivan? - I doubt it.

During last night's session to pull away from Shaun Murphy and achieve his sixth UK championship victory, Ronnie produced a performance close to perfection.

Could it possibly be a triple crown of majors for Ronnie all in the one (2017/18) season? I'd truly love to see him go on and claim his eighth Masters win and sixth world title through 2018.

Irrespective, he's showing the snooker loving population that he is still the man to beat, dominating in a sport that's ever evolving in terms of its high standards and emerging talent.

Will there ever be another player who dominates the game in the way that Reardon, Davis, Hendry and O'Sullivan have done, or is the field of top quality players simply too open and vast now?

My guess is that the next 'breakthrough' star of game will come from the Far East.

Interesting times for sure. Just remember to enjoy Ronnie whilst he's still competing...

[ManiaMuse]

Maybe because Murphy is caught up on sounding reasonable, probably hiding his own personality. O'Sullivan is happy to bear all like a exhibitionist. Two totally different people batting for opposite teams.

I do like Murphy as a snooker player, he's aggressive and goes for the shots, but he doesn't half sound like he is in a job interview whenever he is interviewed after a match. It all comes across sounding a bit fake and rehearsed.

Definitely got BBC pundit/commentator written all over him when he retires.

[JamieMac]

I’m not part of the ‘Ronnie only’ brigade but for myself, 28 years old, I don’t remember snooker without ROS.

He certainly got me interested in the sport however the great thing about that is now being an avid fan, and thanks to some good work by the bbc, youtube etc., I’ve been able to enjoy matches and players from years gone by.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole of the last couple of weeks and seeing some of the exciting younger talent, and ROS still setting the pace, I’d say snooker is in a good place!

Bring on the Scottish Open and then Ally Pally…

[147Levitt]

I do like Murphy as a snooker player, he's aggressive and goes for the shots, but he doesn't half sound like he is in a job interview whenever he is interviewed after a match. It all comes across sounding a bit fake and rehearsed.

Definitely got BBC pundit/commentator written all over him when he retires.

Agree entirely - a BBC employee of the future for sure.

[Cyril]

Agree entirely - a BBC employee of the future for sure.

Yes, regretably he's the sort they seem to go for. He does come accross as quite false, though I've never actually met him to speak to.

I don't think he'll ever make it as a cherished broadcasting voice, loved by the viewers for his persona and warmth of character.

Not in the way that Dan Maskell (tennis), Brian Johnston (cricket), Peter Alliss (golf), Kenneth Wolstenholme (football), David Coleman (athletics), Murray Walker (motor racing) et al have.

The great voices of snooker, I'd say were the late trio of Ted Lowe, Jack Karnehm, John Pulman, the retired Rex Williams and the cast aside Clive Everton. Those since haven't quite matched them.

[147Levitt]

Yes, regretably he's the sort they seem to go for. He does come accross as quite false, though I've never actually met him to speak to.

I don't think he'll ever make it as a cherished broadcasting voice, loved by the viewers for his persona and warmth of character.

Not in the way that Dan Maskell (tennis), Brian Johnston (cricket), Peter Alliss (golf), Kenneth Wolstenholme (football), David Coleman (athletics), Murray Walker (motor racing) et al have.

The great voices of snooker, I'd say were the late trio of Ted Lowe, Jack Karnehm, John Pulman, the retired Rex Williams and the cast aside Clive Everton. Those since haven't quite matched them.

Spot on Cyril (almost tempted to respond 'Nice One' Cyril!) - those snooker commentators you have quoted here were indeed great voices of the sport.

I also used to enjoy Eddie Charlton's words over the microphone too ...I'm possibly alone though!

[vilkrang]

I still don't understand why Dennis Taylor gets all the big sessions.

On about a dozen occasions every frame, often more, he calls what he thinks is going to happen before the balls have stopped and then says "oh actually no he's okay" or "oh my mistake, he's not landed on it" or some other apology for him messing up.

Once you've noticed it, it's very difficult to enjoy any session that he commentates on as you're just waiting for the next mistake and rolling your eyes at him every few shots.