Former champion Doherty's future unclear after World Championship qualifying defeat

Doherty ruled the snooker world in 1997 when he upset the odds in defeating the all-conquering reigning champion and world number one Stephen Hendry - who was on an incredible 29-match winning streak in the Championship - 18-12 in the final.

The Irishman became the second player from outside of the United Kingdom to lift the iconic trophy at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, following in the footsteps of Canadian winner Cliff Thorburn from 1980.

Returning as the title holder the following year, Doherty went all the way to the final - only the second first-time Crucible winner to do so - although his bid for back-to-back crowns was denied by John Higgins, 18-12. Five years on from that, Doherty made the final again, but this time was stopped by Mark Williams, 18-16.

Doherty bows out of Championship in opening qualifier

Against Whelan - who was in the tournament as a Q School top-up - 56-year-old Doherty made a solid start as breaks of 53 and 54 helped him en route to a 2-1 lead.

Englishman Whelan then strung together four consecutive frames to go 5-2 up and guarantee himself a session lead, but Doherty responded in style with runs of 75 and 116 to finish their opening afternoon only one behind at 5-4 down.

On resumption the next afternoon, though, 28-year-old Whelan claimed five of the six frames - helped by breaks of 59, 85 and 67 to record a 10-5 victory over the former world champion.

Whelan goes on to meet another experienced, multi-time ranking event winner in Robert Milkins in the second qualifying round - another player whose green baize future is unclear.

What next for Doherty?

An ever-present on the professional snooker circuit since 1990, Doherty has six ranking titles to his name, and been a finalist in both the UK Championship and Masters Triple Crown events.

A top 16 star for many years, ‘The Darlin’ of Dublin’ scaled to a career-high of number two in the world rankings.

In recent times, though, Doherty has been positioned towards the foot of the global standings and has needed to rely on invitational tour cards in order to continue his journey on snooker’s top flight.

ITCs have been issued to a few players over the past decade or so in recognition for their outstanding contribution to the sport. Fellow snooker legend Jimmy White is currently on tour with one, and Thai ace James Wattana has been in the past, too.

Doherty has been utilising an ITC, but with that two-year pass now expired, and having failed to retain his pro status through the rankings or by qualifying for this year’s Crucible, he faces relegation from the World Snooker Tour.

This season, Doherty, who has opted out of several tournaments, has struggled to pick up victories, although he did win back-to-back matches to qualify for the main venue stages of the German Masters in Berlin.

There have been no whispers as to whether Doherty wants to continue being a professional player or not, nor on whether he would/will be offered another ITC. With White several years older than him, though, a precedent has kind of been made, and it seems likely he would be awarded with one if he so wishes.

ITC announcements have come closer to the end of the season, so we will await news on what the outcome will be.

Despite his qualifying round loss, Doherty is still set to play at the Crucible during next month’s 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship between May 6-10.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 World Championship qualifying rounds, visit here.