Class of ’92 Fireworks: O’Sullivan Crushes Hendry to Storm into John Virgo Trophy Final
Ronnie O’Sullivan delivered a commanding performance to defeat Stephen Hendry 6–1 and book his place in the final of the John Virgo Trophy, a special event celebrating the legacy of the late John Virgo. The match marked a rare and nostalgic reunion between two of snooker’s greatest icons, whose last professional meeting dates back to 2011. While the contest itself wasn’t part of the official ranking circuit, it offered fans a thrilling reminder of the class and charisma that defined both players’ careers.
Staged at the historic Goffs venue in Kildare—long associated with the Irish Masters—the tournament featured an innovative “Snooker 900” format. Under these fast-paced rules, each frame is capped at 15 minutes, with a 20-second shot clock adding extra pressure. Additional twists, such as the use of a spotted cue ball and cueball-in-hand penalties for all fouls, ensured an entertaining and unpredictable spectacle.
The opening frame set the tone for a competitive encounter, with both players battling through a scrappy start before O’Sullivan edged ahead by potting a superb blue. Hendry responded in the second frame with glimpses of his vintage brilliance, compiling breaks of 30 and 61 to level the match. However, that would prove to be the Scot’s only highlight as O’Sullivan quickly took control.
A turning point came in the third frame when Hendry, on a promising break, suffered an unfortunate in-off after potting the pink. O’Sullivan capitalized ruthlessly, crafting a 75 break to regain the lead. From there, the Englishman shifted into top gear, producing fluid breaks of 87 and 96 to establish a dominant advantage. By the mid-session interval, he was firmly in command at 3–1, and he never looked back.
Despite a few opportunities, Hendry struggled to maintain consistency, and O’Sullivan punished every mistake with clinical precision. Contributions of 51 and 46 in the final frame sealed a convincing victory, underlining his enduring quality even in a shortened format.
O’Sullivan now advances to face John Higgins in the final, setting up another clash between members of snooker’s legendary “Class of ’92.” Higgins secured his place by overcoming Mark Williams 6–4 in a closely contested semifinal. Meanwhile, Hendry and Williams will compete for third place.
The match also serves as a prelude to a busy period for O’Sullivan, who continues his pursuit of an eighth World Championship title. Fresh off a recent final appearance at the World Open—where he made history with a 153 break—he remains a formidable force. His performance against Hendry not only highlights his current form but also rekindles memories of an era when these legends dominated the sport.
