Joe Delaney
DOB: August 4th, 1972
Nationality: Irish
Turned Pro: 1991
Highest Ranking: #58 (2007/8)
Current Ranking: #63
Highest Break: 126 (2005 Irish Masters Qualifying)
Career Highlights: Qualified for the final stages of the 2005/6 UK Championships and the 2007 World Championship
Career Summary
Joe turned professional in 1991, but it is only since the 2003/4 season that he has been able to maintain a consistent spot on the main tour. Every year though has been a struggle as with only the top 64 players certain to remain on the tour, Delaney has not been able to get higher than 58th position as he did in 2007/8.
He did perform well to get this high though as he reached the last 48 of the UK Championship and Welsh Open, before defeating Ian Preece, Barry Pinches and Alan McManus to reach the last 32 of the World Championship. His Crucible debut against Matthew Stevens however was to end in disappointment as he went down 10-2 to the twice world finalist.
2008/9
The 2008/9 season was another tough one for Joe but importantly he won crucial matches in both the UK and World Championships to just about keep his top 64 place.
His win over Wayne Cooper was particularly dramatic as having seen a big lead reduced to nothing as Cooper made it 8-8, he went back in front at 9-8 and then played a brilliant 18th frame. He started off by drilling in a sensational long-red before making a cool 60 break to move into the next round and book a tie with Judd Trump. Though he lost out 10-1, he had at least done enough to keep his place on the tour for another season.
