Joe Swail tells a great story while reflecting on his narrow 5-4 first-round defeat to Shaun Murphy at the Shanghai Masters. The Northern Irishman reached two World Championship semi-finals at the Crucible in 2000 and 2001, and shortly afterwards appeared as a guest on the Kelly show, the leading chat show on Ulster Television as it then was hosted by Gerry Kelly. Swail’s fellow guests on the show were a then 11-year-old prodigy Rory McIlroy – who had already been on at least once before, now of course a four-time golf Major winner and Nike brand ambassador – and the Irish band Westlife. Swail said: “It obviously has crossed my mind in recent years that they are all millionaires many times over, while I’m trying my guts out for a couple of grand.” Yes Joe – but are they happy…
Photograph by Monique Limbos