Ken Doherty’s bid to win the inaugural Six Reds World Championship, in association with 888sport.com, ended in a 5-4 defeat to Adam Duffy at the INEC in Killarney today.  Doherty fought back from 3-1 down to lead 4-3 but lost the last two frames as his campaign came to a halt in the last 32.  The 1997 15 red world champion was among the organisers for the first World Championship played under the shorter format. 

But it was Duffy, who lives just a few miles from the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, who marched on.  “I’m disappointed but these things can happen over this format,” said Doherty, who came through the group stages unbeaten.  "Six reds makes for a more open tournament and that’s the beauty of the game, it gives all players a chance.  “It’s the first tournament and I would have love to had a good run so I am a bit gutted. “I should have made it 2-2 but I potted the black in the fourth frame and then the cue ball went in-off.  “I had chances to win after that but lost two pink ball games and they cost me.”  

Seven times world champion Stephen Hendry was another big name casualty when he was beaten 5-2 by his fellow Scot Marcus Campbell.  Hendry missed several chances in the opening two frames, fell 2-0 adrift and never recovered.  Women’s world champion Reanne Evans failed to progress past the last 32 when she was beaten 5-2 by Welshman Andrew Pagett.   Evans, who beat John Higgins in the group stages, failed to produce her best under the television lights.  Former UK champion Matthew Stevens was a surprise casualty, losing 5-2 to Indian Adiyta Mehta.  And Ricky Walden, winner of last season’s Shanghai Masters, was a shock loser when he went down 5-4 to Ian Glover.