O'Sullivan nets third ranking title of the season

Ronnie O'Sullivan lifted the crystal trophy after a thrilling 10-8 defeat of Matthew Stevens in the Irish Masters final. The Welshman looked set to pull back to 9-9 when he led 68-0 in the 18th frame, only for O'Sullivan to produce a brilliant 69 clearance.

Stevens stormed back to 6-6 to set up a thrilling finish, but O'Sullivan eventually prevailed close to midnight to the delight of his fans at the packed Citywest Hotel arena in County Dublin.

World champion O'Sullivan collected a cheque for £40,000. For the first time in his 13-year career, he has won three ranking event titles in the same season.

Snooker's supreme player over the past year, the 29-year-old from Chigwell has now won five of the last eight major tournaments. His current dominance is reminiscent of the hey-days of Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry.

World No.6 Stevens looked the stronger player as he surged back to level terms in the final session. But O'Sullivan proved that he has resolve and courage as well as great natural skill as, like many true champions, he raised his game and found a way to win under the most intense pressure.

O'Sullivan has also won the totesport Grand Prix, Welsh Open and Rileys Club Masters titles this season and is virtually assured of his pole position in the world rankings for another year.

Carmarthen's 27-year-old Stevens made superb comebacks against Stephen Hendry and Robert Milkins to reach the final and almost repeated the trick on Sunday.

Drama intensified midway through frame 16 with an interruption after a spectator's mobile went off and he was removed by stewards, the players leaving the arena for several minutes.