Hendry: Snooker is a chore

Hendry: "Snooker is a chore"

Seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry crashed out of the Irish Masters following 5-4 loss to Mark King.

Afterwards, Hendry, who won the Premier League title last week, said he was fed up with the game.

"Snooker is a chore for me at the moment," the 36-year-old said: "It's a chore to go to the club and it's a chore to get myself up for a match.

"I'm actually playing well but sometimes I can't be bothered. I'll have to play my way through it."

Hendry led 2-1 but trailed 3-2 and 4-3 before producing a 75 clearance to force the contest to a decider.

This is all good practice for the World Championship Paul Hunter

He had a chance to clear up in the decider but missed the green and conceded, even though King still had to pot it to seal victory.

Meanwhile, defending world champion Mark Williams admitted his mind was on his Crucible title defence after coasting past Jamie Burnett 5-1.

Williams, who had breaks of 78, 72, 52 and 87, said: "Of course I want to win every tournament I enter but winning the tournament before Sheffield can have a reverse effect on you."

Stephen Lee gained revenge for one of the most disappointing results of his career as he reached the second round.

Lee lost 6-4 to Stephen Maguire in a poor-quality semi-final at the European Open in Malta earlier this month.

But he compiled breaks of 43, 75 and 54 to clinch a 5-0 victory over the Scot in less than two hours in Dublin.

He was joined in the second round by Wembley Masters champion Paul Hunter, who trounced Welshman Lee Walker 5-0.

World number 81 Walker secured his place at the Crucible in Prestatyn this week.

But the 28-year-old could manage a highest break of only 43 as he failed to trouble Hunter.