IRELAND'S newest world champion, Ken Doherty, is expected to touch down at Dublin Airport at 1.50 p.m. today before travelling to the city on an open-top bus.
The Ranelagh man's rise to the top of world snooker appeared to have taken the city fathers by surprise yesterday, with sources complaining that the short notice made a full civic reception impossible. Instead, the hero of the Crucible in Sheffield will have a private reception in the Mansion House at 4 p.m., to be followed by an evening of celebration in his home village.
The southside suburb was preparing to deck itself out in bunting and banners last night, as traders showed their gratitude to a particularly loyal son. "He made a point of saying he was from Ranelagh," said the clearly delighted chairman of the local traders' association, Mr Liam O'Hagan.
The champion's local snooker club, Jason's, will also be rolling out the red carpet, although it is not equipped for a full celebration. "We don't have a drinks licence," said manager Martin Cosgrave, killing off any lingering associations between snooker halls and misspent youth.
If Doherty survives the Dublin revelries here, he has one further celebration in mind. He hopes to show off his trophy at Old Trafford next Saturday, where his beloved Manchester United will be celebrating the premiership title against West Ham.
The Taoiseach added his congratulations to those of the President yesterday, when he joined a celebratory phone-in on RTE's Liveline programme. No stranger to being in among the reds himself, Mr Bruton accepted the champion's offer of a free snooker lesson. George Best and Daniel O'Donnell were among other well-wishers who called the show.
Notwithstanding Ken's loyalty to Ranelagh, the Lord Mayor of Dublin was keen to get in on the act too. Besides preparing to host today's reception, Mr Brendan Lynch faxed the new champion in England, telling him Dublin was "rightly proud" of his brilliant performance.
Doherty plans to settle in Ranelagh. With more than £200,000 in his bank account as a result of his weekend exploits, he is well equipped to cope with Dublin's booming property market.
