Ken Doherty and Joe Swail have failed to reach the first round of the World Snooker Championships after losing in their third round qualifying matches.
The 1997 World Champion Doherty suffered a disastrous opening session yesterday trailing by eight frames to one against Mark Davis.
Doherty won two of the first three frames this morning, but lost by ten frames to three.
It's the fourth time in the past seven years the Dubliner has failed to reach the first round.
WIN: Mark Davis first to claim his place at the Crucible, beating Ken Doherty 10-3 #JudgementDay #ilovesnooker pic.twitter.com/2Iy4VsVs9N
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker1) April 15, 2015
Tnx for all your msgs of support,I tried hard and gave what I could but the better player won,maybe I will return to the crucible again???
— Ken Doherty Official (@kendoherty1997) April 15, 2015
Joe Swail's wait to return to The Crucible for the first time since 2009 must wait another year.
The Belfast native trailed two time finalist Matthew Stevens by five frames to four overnight.
Stevens won five of the first six frames this morning to advance to the first round.
Fergal O'Brien is in prime position to advance to the first round.
He begins his final session tonight, leading six frames to three against Kurt Maflin.
The World Championships begin on Saturday morning with World Champion Mark Selby playing in the opening session.
O'Brien will be hoping to join Antrim's Mark Allen and World Champion Selby in the draw for the first round.
