Joe O’Connor

Born on November 8, 1995, Joe O’Connor excelled in cue sports from a young age in Leicester, gaining recognition as a junior champion in both snooker and pool. His early career was marked by strong amateur performances, including qualifying for prestigious snooker events like the 2014 Wuxi Classic, where he faced Neil Robertson, and the 2015 UK Championship, competing against Mark Selby. These experiences set the stage for his professional journey.

O’Connor turned professional in 2018 after winning the English Amateur Snooker Championship and securing a two-year tour card through the EBSA Play-Offs. His impact was immediate, earning him the ‘Rookie of the Year’ title in his debut season (2018-2019). This period saw him reach the semi-finals of the Welsh Open, notably defeating top-ten players Kyren Wilson, Ding Junhui, and John Higgins. He continued to build his career with quarter-final appearances at events such as the 2021 German Masters and the 2023 Welsh Open, consistently demonstrating his skill against high-ranking opponents.

A significant turning point came in December 2022 when O’Connor reached his first ranking final at the Scottish Open. His run included victories over prominent players like Zhao Xintong, Ding Junhui, Mark Williams, Ricky Walden, and Neil Robertson, before concluding as runner-up to Gary Wilson. In 2024, he achieved a career milestone by making his first maximum break (147) during the Championship League, which was also the 200th official maximum in snooker history. That same year, he made his debut at the World Snooker Championship, securing a notable 10-6 victory over Mark Selby at the Crucible Theatre. O’Connor continued his impressive form into 2025, reaching the final of the World Open in China and another ranking event final at the Championship League, further solidifying his position in professional snooker.