Pat O’Kane (left) with Central London Blackball County manager Joe Flaherty and final opponent Alan Dugdale, on the right

Published: 3 December, 2015

A LEGENDARY pool hustler moseyed into town on Sunday – and soon got his hands on some hard cash, proving that when it comes to having what it takes on the green baize, he’s still at the very top of the cue! 

Local pool celebrity Pat O’Kane, who lives in Islington, is famed for his trick shots, which he once displayed on TV in a frame against ex-world snooker champion Alex Higgins on a programme that showcased pub pool hustling. 

With such a potting pedigree, it’s hardly surprising that when the English Blackball Pool Federation hosted a special open tourney at the Hurricane Rooms in King’s Cross at the weekend, the 55-year-old was among the winners. 

Pat beat rival Alan Dugdale, who plays for the Central London Blackball county ‘A’ team 4-2 in a thrilling best-of-seven frames final to win the men’s over-40s senior title. And, of course, his pockets were somewhat heavier with the cash prize that came with it. He will now return to the table at the national finals scheduled for early next year.