1997 World Champion Ken Doherty, Dubliner Fergal O'Brien and Belfast's Joe Swail are ten frames away from entering this years first round of the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield.
Doherty, who already has had to overcome Ladies World Champion Reanne Evans in the qualifying stages, plays Mark Davis later today.
The Dubliner is looking to make consecutive Crucible appearances for the first time since 2008. He defeated Stuart Bingham in last years first round but lost to Alan McManus in the last 16.
It is five years since Fergal O'Brien last graced the first round of the World Championships.
Norway's Kurt Maflin stands in O'Brien's way in the final round of qualifying. Maflin had a comfortable 10-1 victory over six time World Champion Steve Davis in the previous round.
After losing his professional status in 2012, before regaining it back a year later, Joe Swail is looking to return to The Crucible for the first time since 2009.
The two time World semi-finalist faces Matthew Stevens in the third qualifying round. Welshman Stevens, who was runner up in 2000 and 2005 has not won a World Championship game since his 2012 quarter final win over Ryan Day.
"The Outlaw" came from behind last night to defeat Dominic Dale by ten frames to nine.
Crazy win today from so well behind...three years ago i had moreless packed it in now one more win tomorrow to be back at the Crucible...
— Joe Swail (@joeswail) April 13, 2015
Doherty, O'Brien and Swail are looking to join Antrim's Mark Allen in the main draw for the tournament which begins on Saturday.
World Champion Mark Selby will be looking to finally defeat the "Crucible Curse". No first time World Champion has successfully defended the title the following year at The Crucible.
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