By World Snooker Tour

"Not every day will go your way, but every day, you get to choose your state," according to the American motivational speaker Tony Robbins, and that's an ethos Fergal Quinn has taken on board ahead of his first season on the World Snooker Tour.

We spoke to Northern Ireland's 25-year-old Quinn ahead of Q School in May, when he explained that he had dedicated his life to snooker in recent months to prepare for a crack at gaining a tour card. But his plans were scuppered just before the first event when his car was broken into, a window smashed and valuable items stolen. 

"I spent all the next day on the phone trying to sort things out like the repair and insurance," he explains. "I wasn't prepared for my first match and I lost 4-1 (to Mark Bell) when I had expected to win. So for event two I was determined to have the right state of mind for every match, regardless of anything else going on in my life. I had prepared really well for Q School and I had to give myself the best chance.

"I had a really good routine, in between matches I would take a cold shower and read books by the likes of Tony Robbins and listen to podcasts. I try to fill my mind with the right things and I believe that new experiences and coming through challenges makes you stronger. Going into each game I was really laser-focussed and I fought so hard. My absolute determination to get through the event outweighed any nerves. You can achieve anything when you have emotional intelligence, you are mentally strong and well prepared, avoiding self sabotage." 

Quinn won five matches in Event Two, all by a 4-1 scoreline, beating the likes of Sean O'Sullivan, Ashley Carty and Dean Young to earn a two-year tour card for the first time. He will make his pro debut on Monday against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the Wuhan Open qualifiers, and is ready for the new challenge having moved to Sheffield where he will be based at Victoria's Academy.  

"I'm really excited to see what the next two years has to offer," he said. "I have proved I am good enough to be a pro but I know that's only the beginning. I will have to practise harder than ever. I have given myself this chance and I want to make the best of it, I know I need to take it very seriously.

"I have not always been dedicated to snooker. The last time was in 2020/21 when I had places in a few pro events. I was in Darlington at the time at the Q House academy, practising with the likes of Igor Figueiredo, Hossein Vafaei and the Thai players. It's much easier to do when everyone is working hard in an environment like that. 

"It's great now to be in a big city like Sheffield, there is no better place to be. There is a buzz around it the academy with around 15 pros based there, including Zhao Xintong. I have practised with him before, he's very humble and always happy to have a game with whoever is available."