Brit takes Irish open title

04/07/2010

Hope in the Emerald Isle that an Irishman would take the Paddy Power Poker Irish Open title were dashed Monday when British poker pro James Mitchell (20) bested a large field of 708 entrants to carry off the title and the Euro 600 000 main prize.

Among the field were big names such as Dan Harrington, Sandra Naujoks, Brian Townsend, Kara Scott, Marty Smyth, Neil Channing, Andy Black, Marty Wilson, Liam Flood, Ross Boatman and snooker ace Ken Doherty.

Mitchell battled his way through the field to face a final table comprised of Paul Carr, Santeri Valikoski, Rob Sherwood, Ben Roberts, Edmund Sweeney, Declan Connolly, Peter Murphy and Yann Dion.

When Finland's Valikoski was eliminated in third place by Mitchell, the stage was set for the heads up between Mitchell and Paul Carr, which the young Brit carried after some exciting exchanges. Paul Carr picked up a runner-up prize of Euro 312 600, and the six-figure cashes extended down to sixth placed Edmund Sweeney.