Be proud Limerick. Be proud.

In a similar vein to Athlone’s 30K in a day just a few short weeks ago, the  numbers for this stop poured in. 150 by level 3 of the opening flight of the Main Event as I glanced at the Live clock while making my way to the Castletroy Hotel to cover this one. The first notable difference with this one in comparison to Athlone is the Guarantee was already smashed before we began our media coverage of Limericks 30K in a day. By level 4 it was in the bag and the sound of riffling chips was only topped by the local characters who added that layer of poker romance in what was sure to be a beautiful payday on the other end for someone.

The Byrants were in early and all leaderboard eyes would be on them. But they would have competition and a minefield to go through. This was never going to be easy. You had some local and hometown hero’s such as IPT pro Paul Carr and David Panda Fitzpatrick who were gung ho on having their say. And then you had Pat Fitzgerald (Pat Fitz as he likes to be known) who had the whole room in stitches as he let it be known to all with his colourful flair and table talk when the pot was his. This was limerick and it was better than ever.

Limerick €30k in a Day 1A: The “Hangman” Roper Bagged a Massive Chip Lead as 47 Advanced

Paul Roper stormed to the top of the counts in Day 1A of the Limerick €30k in a Day Main event when he surpassed the 100k chip mark . When Paul approached the media desk halfway through the opening flight requesting his image be taken as he was the chipleader he had a determined look in his eye. The look of a man who wanted more than to make up the numbers. 

And from that point he never took a back step and ended by bagging a tournament-leading 763,000 chips after nearly eight hours of action. Tarka Roche (487,000) and Killian Farrell (421,000) rounded out the top three, while a host of familiar local names also advanced with healthy counts. Stephen Brookes (399,000), David “Panda” Fitzpatrick who was carrying the flag of Limerick proudly on his back as he always does, bagged 358,000. Other notables included Mark Barry (322,000), Tommy O’Loughlin (291,000), Tony Harte (286,000) and Ian Collins (273,000), with Matt Bell, Cyril Doherty, Pat Flanagan and Ray Bryant also progressing comfortably. 

We were also joined by great friend of the Irish Poker Tour Mr Dara O’Kearney who was fresh off of live success at The PartyPoker Tour – Glasgow where he took down the 7-max high roller, but it was not to be for Doke in 1A as he failed to get a bag through. 

1A Top stacks

Paul Roper – 763,000

Tarka Roche – 487,000

Killian Farrell – 421,000

Stephen Brookes – 399,000

David Fitzpatrick – 358,000

Mark Barry – 322,000

Tommy O’Loughlin – 291,000

Tony Harte – 286,000

Ian Collins – 273,000

Limerick €30k in a Day 1B: O’Grady Lead as 21 Advanced in a fast and furious flight

One last chance saloon for players to get their names on the ticket for the Main Event Final. It was the turn of Charlie Porter and Robbie Bryant who had faltered in 1A to get a stack through but both made it happen with solid bags. Robbie going through with 140,000 and Mr Porter with 180,000

Michael O’Grady topped the counts on the hyper 1B flight bagging 357,000 chips after just over two hours of play. It drew 85 entries and created a €13,872 prize pool. A total of 21 players found bags, with O’Grady well clear at the top of 1B.

Gerard A. Fitzgerald (236,000) and Dinny Quinn (234,000) sit close behind in second and third, while Stephen Dwyer (223,000), Marcus McHale (202,000) and Joey Pyne (198,000) also advanced with strong stacks. Mossie Fitzgerald(73,000), Norbert Golebiowski(133,000) and Helen Goberville (52,000) rounded out the top end of the counts. Shout out to Patrice Goberville also who busted at the same time as his wife Helen in the Hyper flight only for both to return to their previous seats in opposite order!

It’s time. The Main Event Final

In the Smoke and the Silence of Limerick…

They came from every corner of the island and beyond. Three hundred and eighty-six entries, the players each carrying the same quiet hunger. Two grueling flights of war. Two flights of attrition. And when the final table lights finally cut through the haze on a Saturday night in September, only one name would be left standing.

Charlie Porter.

The man who walked into the Limerick €30k in a Day was not just another face in the crowd. Charlie had hit the crossbar more than once. Sligo and Athlone to name two “It was time I took one of those infamous trophies”

Robbie Bryant, the other half of the Bryant brothers’ charge, went deep and deeper still. Both him and Ray made their way onto the same table once we reached the final 16 redraw. “ If I take him out I take him out” was the phrase from Robbie. There wasn’t a player left that didn’t believe him. Including his brother Ray. And his brother was more than willing to go toe to toe.

The Final 9

Final Table Chip Counts

1. Robbie Bryant – 2,390,000  
2. Charlie Porter – 2,295,000  
3. Ray Bryant – 1,650,000  
4. Michael O’Grady – 1,380,000  
5. Paul Roper – 1,355,000  
6. Matt Bell – 975,000  
7. Stephen Brookes – 595,000  
8. Bogdan Chetrariu – 485,000  
9. Kevin Shanks – 465,000

At the final table sat a who’s who of the weekend’s survivors, but one man carried a different kind of weight. Bogdan Chetrariu is the real deal , a quality player who doesn’t need theatrics or to make his presence felt. Cold, precise, and deeply dangerous, he moved through the late stages with the quiet confidence of someone who has been here before and expects to be here again. Chetrariu simply applied pressure and the Romanian picked his spots.

One of the pivotal moments of the final 9 came when Charlie Porter went all in against Ray Bryant.

Ray looked down at pocket Jacks and made his move.  

He shoved.  

Charlie Porter sat with A♠6♠… and made the call.

The money was in.  

Ray was ahead and the flop came clean.  

The turn stayed quiet.  Then the river… an Ace.

Just like that.  Charlie’s A6 had spiked the one card that mattered.  

Ray’s Jacks, once so proud, now worthless on the felt.

Three times Ray had gone all-in ahead on the final table and three times the deck had answered with cruelty.  This one, against the eventual champion, was perhaps the deepest cut of all. Then to Bogdan Chetrariu who shoved his 33 leaving Charlie Porter with a decision. He made the call with 66 and the board stayed clean leaving him with third place and €5,300 but the table knew the truth: this was no fluke. Bogdan Chetrariu belongs at the sharp end of any field he enters.

Once the battle reached heads up it was Robbie Bryant and Charlie. A short break and a discussion saw the 2 return to agree a heads up deal.

Robbie  took €10,000 and the knowledge that he had been the last man between Porter and the crown. Charlie walked out with the title and €12,245 after the 2 players shook hands. The crossbar specialist no more. Charlie Porter is your €30K in a day Main Event Champion.

Some nights the cards just decide.  

Some nights a man decides them.

This was one of those nights.

Charlie Porter, Main Event Champion.

Killian Keeps the Pressure Up at the Top of the Leaderboard Race

Killian Farrell is keeping the pressure firmly on at the top of the leaderboard race, adding another strong result to his points tally at the Limerick €30K in a Day.

Farrell came out on top of Saturday night’s NLH, navigating a field of 56 entries to take down the €6,720 prize pool and collect €2,210 along with 500 IPT points.

Farrell had to overcome Kul Prasad Ghale heads-up, with Ghale taking €1,380 for second, while Marius Tersanszki finished third for €980.

With another 500 points now added to his tally, Farrell has once again underlined his consistency on the tour  .The message is clear: Killian Farrell isn’t giving up his position at the top without a fight.

Another bumper event comes to a close and next up we have Tullamore’s €30K in a day, which has now been extended to include an extra Main Event Flight. It runs from Friday, September 18 to Saturday September 19th at the Midlands Card Club.