Ken eyes Crucible return

Doherty: Crucible memories

I want to qualify this year to relive the memories and to create more for myself, as I know I'm still capable of doing it on the big stage.

Ken Doherty
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Ken Doherty accepts last season was a disaster for him, and is desperate to avoid missing out on the World Championship for the second year running.

Doherty has slipped down the rankings to number 44 after some poor form of late, and he now has to win two matches at the qualifiers in Sheffield to make a return to the Crucible.

The road to the Crucible will not be an easy one though, with Doherty scheduled to meet Jimmy White in his first match, should 'The Whirlwind' beat Mark Boyle, before the winner taking on Joe Swail.

Dubliner Doherty lost out to Gerard Greene in last year's qualifiers, ending a 15-year run of consecutive Crucible appearances, and that defeat still hurts.

Doherty is determined to enjoy a return to the Crucible this time around though, with last year's absence still fresh in his mind.

Disaster

"The whole of last season was a disaster for me and I went there in a bad state with no chance of winning," Doherty said.

"This time it's different and I'm looking forward to it. The matches there are important for everyone because there is so much riding on it.

"If I can win my first match, it could cement my place in the top 32 for next season, which would be an achievement in itself and give me a great stepping stone to getting back up the rankings."

40-year-old Doherty, the only non-British player other than Cliff Thorburn to win at the Crucible, lifted the world title in 1997 and hopes to add to his happy memories at the venue.

"It's amazing that it's 13 years ago, the time has gone so quickly since then. I still feel like a teenager, and some would say I act like one!" Doherty added.

Memories

"I've got some great memories of playing at Sheffield which I will never forget. To be World Champion for a year was fantastic.

"It was the best snooker I have ever played, especially to beat Stephen Hendry in the final when he was unbeaten there for five years and at the top of his game. It was David against Goliath but I came out on top.

"I want to qualify this year to relive the memories and to create more for myself, as I know I'm still capable of doing it on the big stage."