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Joe Delaney

Delaney’s best run of the 2008/09 season came at the Maplin UK Championship. Wins over Li Hang and Mike Dunn put him in the last 48 but his progress ended there with a 9-1 defeat to Ian McCulloch. His lack of wins over the season saw him drop five places to No 63.
Delaney topped his qualifing group in the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in 2007/08. Five wins from seven matches booked him on a flight to Aberdeen. Unfortunately for the Dubliner, he was unable to win a match at the venue and finished bottom of his group.
A fine 2006/07 season for Delaney was capped by an incredible run in the World Snooker Championship.
The Irishman equalled his best ever ranking performance at both the Maplin UK Championship and the Welsh Open when he reached the last 48.
But the best was yet to come. In his first Crucible qualifier he found himself 5-1 down against Ian Preece but rallied to win 10-7. Next up was Barry Pinches and he fell 9-6 behind before taking the next four to secure victory. Delaney went on to book his Sheffield debut by winning another final frame decider, this time against Alan McManus.
"It’s a dream come true to reach the Crucible," he said. "It will be a party, I’ll have loads of family and friends there. It doesn’t matter how I get on."
He and his fans certainly enjoyed the experience but not the result – he lost 10-2 to Matthew Stevens.
Delaney didn’t have too much trouble getting time off from the family business: "I run a furniture firm with my father and brother called Joe’s Upholstery – we make seating for night clubs and cinemas. I have just about enough time to keep my hand in on the snooker table and they don’t mind when I come to play at tournaments," he said.

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