Shaun Murphy responds to Ronnie O'Sullivan cue jibe at Northern Ireland Open - 'I thought it was a cheap shot'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 01/11/2023 at 17:46 GMT
Speaking on a podcast, Shaun Murphy described criticism aimed at him by Ronnie O'Sullivan as a "cheap shot" before implying the Rocket's comments made him "look silly." O'Sullivan queried why Murphy used multiple cues during his fourth-round defeat to Chris Wakelin at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast, a tournament that Judd Trump went on to win.
‘It’s a crazy old game’ - Murphy wins first frame after Wakelin pots pink by mistake
Shaun Murphy has responded to criticism levelled at him by Ronnie O’Sullivan during last week’s Northern Ireland Open.
The Rocket was critical of Murphy for bringing multiple cues into the Waterfront Hall venue in Belfast to accommodate the ever-changing table conditions.
Murphy used more than one cue during a 4-2 loss to eventual finalist Chris Wakelin in the fourth round, and O’Sullivan was asked what he thought about the unusual tactic employed by his counterpart.
“Have three cues if you’re winning, but when you keep getting pumped it don’t look good, does it?” O’Sullivan said, live on Eurosport.
“So start winning some matches before you start doing that.”
In response, Murphy admitted he and O’Sullivan are “not the best of friends” and expressed his confusion over what he described as a “cheap shot.”
“First and foremost, let me put this out there. I can take a joke as much as the next person,” Murphy said, on The Onefourseven Snooker podcast. “I love having a bit of craic with everyone, and if you’re going to give it, you’ve got to be able to take it.
“But I didn’t get it, I didn’t understand what the joke was. I thought it was a bit of a cheap shot.
“I didn’t understand what he meant. Because as you’ve said, I won three or four matches last week in Belfast – I’d taken multiple cues into the arena every time I walked out to play.
“Anyone who understands what I’m trying to do at the moment understands that it’s only towards the end of the event that I’m going to need the second cue, as conditions deteriorate.
“So when was I meant to do it? Jokes are fine, I hope he remembers who started it when it all goes wrong in the future, because unless you’ve been living under a rock for 20 years, you will know that we’re not the best of friends.
“So I hope he remembers who started it, but I just didn’t get it. I didn’t understand it.
“I’m happy to take a joke, but I’ve a few shots of my own to take. There’ll come a time when I get a chance to make a little cheap shot at Ronnie’s expense.
“And do you know what? I’ll probably take it after that. Remember this Ron – if you’re going to tell jokes, they have to be funny.
“They have to make sense. Otherwise you just look silly.”
The tournament was won by Judd Trump who emerged victorious after a 9-3 win over Wakelin in the final.
- - -
Stream the Scottish Open and other top snooker action live on Eurosport and discovery+
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement