As the summer begins to show signs of packing up its things and leaving the Emerald Isle yet again, those who have had the pleasure of calling this place home will know that this means a lot more time inside.

My earliest and fondest memories are of being stuck indoors while the rain poured. Enjoying time with family and friends, playing board games, watching films, eating bowls of stew and, of course, playing cards. My Granny Bawn was a card shark. There were six children, her husband and lodgers in her terraced house in Belfast. The lodgers nicknamed her “Ladyfingers”, due to the fact she cleaned them out of their wages, pipe in hand, while playing cards.

There is something about card games that resonates with all ages, all over the world.

Poker, especially live poker, has become a way for people to travel all over the globe, meet people from different walks of life, challenge themselves and have a lot of fun in the process.

This week on Beyond the Felt, firstly I would like to add a link to a fantastic article by Christoffer Karlen over on the Irish Open website.

I am quite new to the world of live poker, and especially its lore, and was unaware that the first Irish Open winner was a lady. Having read about her, it reminded me of my grandmother.

Here is the link to the article about Colette Doherty:

https://irishpokeropen.com/blog/2025/06/28/the-untold-tale-of-irish-poker-legend-colette-doherty/

 

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Round Up of Irish Poker

It is safe to say I am now a poker fan. Having had the pleasure of watching poker at such a high level for the last year and a half, witnessing the stories unfold and getting to know the people involved has completely changed how I look at the game.

Back in April, which feels like a long time ago now, Daryl McAleenan did a deal at the Irish Open and walked away with €250,500. Having seen him on numerous occasions since, the big grin that was always present before April now seems to gleam with achievement.

Then there is Darren Harbinson, who I only recently found out is building a house about a mile from where I sit and type this. He has had an incredible year. Hearing that Northern twang controlling tables throughout the year has been something to behold.

The community and togetherness that poker somehow seems to create is also something I never expected to see. This year alone, Darren has won three Main Event trophies at festivals here and across the water, the most recent being the Irish Poker Tour’s Summer in Dublin for €36,125.

It has also been interesting to see Darren mentor those coming through the ranks.

Young Darach Rogan is one of those who has watched Darren’s success. At only eighteen, he has already bagged a trophy on international soil.

His mum, Angela Rogan, is a player I am certain no one wants to face on the felt. Having played card games here, there and everywhere in Belfast from no age, she took a break to concentrate on her career and family and is now back alongside her son to stake a claim.

She has picked up two trophies already since returning to the poker circuit. In Darach’s first-ever win, he faced Angela heads-up over in Madrid.

I have a feeling the Rogans’ story is only beginning, and it will be interesting to see where it goes.

The Bryant Brothers — what can I say? Brothers Ray and Robbie Bryant from Tullamore, Offaly both bagged another trophy at the Irish Poker Tour’s Galway Summer Festival.

Robbie, who is continuing his incredible run of form, bagged the €10K In A Day for €3,900. Then twin brother Ray, who has collected his fair share of trophies this year as well, won the Main Event for €7,100.

In Sligo, while Robbie was sewing up another Main Event trophy to bring back to the Midlands Card Club in Tullamore, I was chatting to Ray. I had hesitated to mention this at the time, as I didn’t want to spoil the surprise.

Having met their dad, who makes top-notch ham and cheese toasties at the MCC for the punters, I asked whether their parents were watching the live clock as usual. The brothers had told me that when they are running deep, the folks will not be going to sleep.

Their mother and sister had been treated to a holiday away by the boys, and while their mum was enjoying some R&R, they had new carpets and flooring fitted in the house.

It’s stories like this that make Irish poker second to none.

Most recently, we had Joel Baxter making a great run at the PartyPoker Tour Glasgow Main Event, finishing fifth for £8,150. Last month, he also bagged an Omaha trophy at an IPT event.

Making steady progress, Joel is not only a very capable player, but also analyses and critiques the game in an intricate way that now seems to be the standard for the new generation of poker.

Also over in Glasgow, Dara “Doke” O’Kearney pulled in a tasty £11,550, bagging the High Roller trophy.

Dara is Irish poker, and Irish poker is Dara. With $1,517,863 in live earnings and more than double that amount secured online, his record speaks for itself.

His trademark shirts make him easy to spot on the poker floor. With a successful podcast, ambassador roles and plenty more besides, it is always good to see him add another trophy to the collection.

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Poker This Weekend?

Tomorrow there is the Athlone €30K In A Day, held in the Athlone Springs Hotel, giving Irish poker players yet another opportunity to hone their skills.

I would imagine the Bryant Brothers will be there to stake a claim.

€30,000 up for grabs.

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WPT Global is giving players the chance to win their way to Dublin for the €200,000 GTD International Poker Open (IPO), with satellites starting from just $4.40.

Daily feeders lead into $44 satellites every Monday and Thursday at 8pm, with two €350 Main Event seats guaranteed, while qualifiers can choose to play Day 1 online on October 18 or live at the Bonnington Hotel, Dublin.

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Beyond the Felt

The Premier League is back this weekend, with the following fixtures scheduled for opening weekend:

OPENING WEEKEND FIXTURES

Friday 21 August

8:00pm — Arsenal v Coventry City

Saturday 22 August

12:30pm — Hull City v Manchester United
3:00pm — Everton v Crystal Palace
3:00pm — Ipswich Town v Sunderland
3:00pm — Nottingham Forest v Leeds United
5:30pm — Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur

Sunday 23 August

2:00pm — Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa
2:00pm — Manchester City v Bournemouth
4:30pm — Newcastle United v Liverpool

Monday 24 August

8:00pm — Fulham v Chelsea

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Formula 1 – Dutch Grand Prix

Formula 1 returns to Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix, with the famous seaside circuit once again hosting one of the most atmospheric races on the calendar.

Qualifying takes place on Saturday before the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, as the championship battle continues.

Golf – BMW Championship

Some of the biggest names in golf are in action at the BMW Championship, the penultimate event of the FedExCup Playoffs.

Only the top 30 players in the FedExCup standings will progress to the season-ending Tour Championship, meaning there is plenty at stake over the weekend.

Horse Racing – York Ebor Festival

One of the biggest weeks of the British flat-racing season comes to a close at York, with the prestigious Ebor Handicap taking centre stage on Saturday.

The Ebor Festival traditionally attracts some of the best horses, trainers and jockeys from Britain and Ireland and is one of the major meetings of the summer racing calendar.

Snooker – Wuhan Open

The Wuhan Open gets underway on Sunday, with many of the biggest names in snooker heading to China.

Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and Zhao Xintong are among the stars involved, with £175,000 awaiting the eventual champion.