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.

Irish Masters
Tournament information
Dates24–29 March 1998 (1998-03-24 – 1998-03-29)
VenueGoffs
CityKill
CountryRepublic of Ireland
OrganisationWPBSA
FormatNon-Ranking event
Total prize fund£200,000[1]
Winner's share£75,000[1]
Highest break Ken Doherty (IRL) (129)[1]
Final
Champion Ken Doherty (IRL)
Score[n 1]
1997
1999

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.[2]

Main draw

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[3][4]

Round 1
Best of 11 frames
Quarter-finals
Best of 11 frames
Semi-finals
Best of 11 frames
Final
Best of 17 frames
  Ronnie O'Sullivan 6
  Ronnie O'Sullivan 6   Stephen Hendry 3
  Jimmy White 2   Ronnie O'Sullivan 6
  John Higgins 4
  John Higgins 6
  Steve Davis 6   Steve Davis 3
  Nigel Bond 5   Ronnie O'Sullivan (Disqualified)
  Ken Doherty
  Ken Doherty 6
  Fergal O'Brien 6   Fergal O'Brien 1
  Peter Ebdon 2   Ken Doherty 6
  John Parrott 1
  John Parrott 6
  John Parrott 6   Mark Williams 3
  Tony Drago 2

* 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

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  1. ^ 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.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Benson & Hedges Irish Masters 1998". Snooker.org. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  2. ^ Ian O'Riordan (7 July 1998). "O'Sullivan stripped of Irish title". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  3. ^ "Irish Masters". Snooker Scene. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  4. ^ "1998 Irish Masters Results". Snooker Database. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2017.