1998 Irish Masters Explained

Tournament Name:	Irish Masters
Venue:	Goffs
Location:	Kill
Country:	Republic of Ireland
Organisation:	WPBSA
Format:	Non-Ranking event
Total Prize Fund:	£200,000^[1]
Winners Share:	£75,000
Highest Break:	(129)
Score:	^[2]
Previous:	1997
Next:	1999

The 1998 Irish Masters was the twenty-fourth edition of the professional invitational snooker tournament, which took place from 24 to 29 March 1998. The tournament was played at Goffs in Kill, County Kildare, and featured twelve professional players.

Ronnie O'Sullivan won the final 9–3 against Ken Doherty, however O'Sullivan failed a post-final drugs test and tested positive for cannabis. He was stripped of the title and disqualified from the tournament with the victory awarded to Doherty.^[3]

Main draw

^{[4] [5]}

* Ronnie O'Sullivan was stripped of the title and disqualified from the tournament after winning 9–3. O'Sullivan failed a drugs test after testing positive for cannabis. Ken Doherty was awarded the title.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Benson & Hedges Irish Masters 1998. Snooker.org. 10 February 2023.
2. Ken Doherty was awarded the title after Ronnie O'Sullivan was subsequently stripped of his title and disqualified from the tournament, for failing a drugs test.
3. Web site: O'Sullivan stripped of Irish title. The Irish Times. Ian O'Riordan. 7 July 1998. 21 November 2017.
4. Web site: Irish Masters. https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071613/http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=25. dead. 24 January 2013. Snooker Scene. 21 November 2017.
5. Web site: 1998 Irish Masters Results. Snooker Database. 21 November 2017. 1 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031528/http://www.snookerdatabase.co.uk/EventResultGrid.aspx?EventKey=471. dead.