Thomas Gallagher Wins Grand Prix Killarney Main Event For €35,878

Irish eyes were smiling yesterday when the home nation scooped 8 out of the top 9 spots at the Grand Prix Killarney Main Event, with Roscommon man Thomas Gallagher taking the title, trophy and €35,878, describing the win as “an absolutely fantastic experience for me as a recreational player!”

The €340 buy-in Main Event at Ireland’s National Event Centre (INEC) and Gleneagle Hotel saw the best part of 1000 entrants playing for the €300,000 prize-fund, with players from Italy, Germany Poland and England among the strong Irish contingent.

Aside from the lucrative cash prizes up for grabs, with 100 players cashing, anyone who made it to Day 2 online through the Party Poker qualifiers earned a Golden Chip, which meant if they made the final table they would receive a Caribbean Poker Party package to the tune of $10,000.

As it transpired, three of the players managed that feat, the paydays for Colin Quarry, Mike Quirke and Ronan Sweeney sweetened by the wonderful Party Poker bonus on offer, while the entire final day was streamed live with Padraig Parkinson in the commentary booth…

With 3 players left, the talk inevitably turned to deals and the trio eventually settled on a chip count split of the lion’s share of the cash, with €5K left over for the winner, and in traditional Irish fashion the deal was sealed by a quick celebratory pint before resuming play for the trophy!

When Gallagher finally disposed of Yue Wang in 3rd and then Ronan Sweeney in 2nd to take down the title, he stated:

“I’m absolutely delighted! I’ve been playing poker round the West of Ireland in pubs and clubs… for the last 20 years, and it’s a dream come true to win a tournament with, what, 906 runners? I drove down here with 6 lads from County Roscommon. We play in a local game… and came for a weekend away, we had great craic,” a beaming Gallagher said, adding, “I’ve won it after 3 gruelling days – it’s an absolutely fantastic experience for me as a recreational player that just plays with lads for fun down the pub on a Thursday night.”

Final result of the €340 Main Event

*Prize determined as part of three-way final table deal