KEN DOHERTY’s career as a professional snooker player could have come to an end.
The Dublin star has been relegated from the following his defeat to Patrick Whelan.
Ken Doherty will not be at the Crucible to competeCredit: Getty
, 56, was beaten 10-5 in the qualifiers and will miss out on an appearance at the Crucible.
The ace and pundit had been competing on an invitational tour card in recent years.
However, this season he has not been a frequent competitor and needed a good run in Sheffield to climb into the top 64.
Doherty has been a star of the snooker circuit since 1990 and has previously reached world no2 in the rankings.
His best moment when he beat to win the world title in 1997.
He has also won six other ranking events such as the Welsh Open on two occasions.
Doherty has previously dropped off the main tour in 2017, 2020 and 2024 but was given his invitational card.
The process is similar to what did in the final years of his professional career.
It is not yet known whether or not the Irishman will be given another invitational card or whether he would accept it.
He could still make an appearance at the World Championship as a pundit for the BBC.
Doherty will have the chance to play at the iconic Crucible venue again but in the World Seniors Championship in May.
The main tournament is due to start on April 18 and will run until the final on May 4.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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