Swail beaten in N Ireland Trophy

Joe Swail had a performance to forget in his home town

Joe Swail's season got off to a poor start in his home city on Sunday when he was beaten 5-1 by Gerard Greene in the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast.

Greene led 4-0 at the interval and his victory earned him a second-round clash against Steve Davis.

World Championship semi-finalist Marco Fu was beaten 5-3 by Welshman Dominic Dale, while Stuart Pettman beat Alan McManus 5-2 at the Waterfront Hall.

Mark Selby beat Tony Drago 5-4 and Jamie Burnett defeated David Gray 5-2.

In the evening matches, Joe Perry was ousted 5-4 by Andrew Norman, Mark King beat Rory McLeod 5-3 and Robert Milkins saw off Rod Lawler 5-2.

Swail could muster only one high break, a 67 in the fifth frame of the pair's best-of-nine clash, pocketing a 40 run in the next frame before Greene closed in on an upset.

"I played pretty well but Joe didn't play as well as he can," said Greene, who while Kent-born is also registered as a Northern Ireland player.

"The home crowd were on Joe's side. He had a few more supporters, but I didn't let it bother me. It's the perfect start for me."

Drago missed a crucial pink ball in the seventh frame of the contest against Selby when he seemed set to edge into a 4-3 lead.

Selby beat John Higgins at the World Championship in May and then went on to win the World Pool Eight-Ball Championship.

Burnett comfortably won 5-2 against 2003 Scottish Open champion Gray with breaks of 117, 77 and 55.

The Scotsman's victory earns him a second round meeting against his practice partner and world champion Graeme Dott on Tuesday.

"Graeme's a great player and very tough to beat but I've got nothing to lose," said Burnett.