The Monster Day 1 Wrap
May 1, 2025
The wait is over and The Monster is finally here. With a heatwave currently baking Ireland, players from all over the globe flooded the Green Isle in Dublin. With a schedule packed with tournaments tailored to entice and intrigue, it is sure to be an action packed few days.

Things got rolling with The Monster Main Event Day 1A attracting 123 entries. Among those attempting to build up a stack to bring forward to the Main Event was Dara O’Kearney, unmissable in one of his trademark shirts, always adding a touch of style to the events. At the close of play Robert Shanley took the chip lead by a large margin with 741,000, in 2nd was Tyrone O’Neill with 390,000 and Mariusz Mielcarek had 321,000

Wednesday also ushered in the beginning of the Holigames Mystery Bounty Day 1A with a bus load of French natives vying for a chance to take home the trophy named in their honor. With 82 entries signing up to last far enough so they could get a chance to dip their hand in the Mystery Bounty Bucket. Then move on for the chance to be crowned champion. At the end of Day 1 the chip leaders were as follows, Holigames player Boulfroy Morgan was 1st with 400,000, 2nd was Vitaliy Polukejuv with 396,000 and 3rd was Jude Mcauley with 369,000.

Last but certainly not least, there was a matter of a trophy to be won on the opening day. This was fought for in the Omaha 7-Max with Phil Baker making an appearance adding some great craic to the event as soon as he walked through the door.

As is usually the case, especially on the first day, the inaugural trophy was deeply sought after. In the end a deal was done between the remaining players meaning Mikey Merrigan (who is 3rd in the Irish Poker Tour Leaderboard), Jai Pangrekar and Liam Byrne, took €1,300 placing 4th, 3rd and 2nd. Liam fought in the heads up for over an hour but in the end the winner was Jude McCarthy, taking home €2,550 and the trophy. Away to get some rest and saying he would be back tomorrow to have a crack at the Main Event.

The Monster is well and truly underway, with plenty more to come, with this event sure to attract record numbers. With a buzz that is electric and palpable as soon as you walk through the door, it is only set to become more scintillating throughout the week.

Make sure to stay tuned to livepokerupdates for all the breaking developments…