Schools Are Cool For Keogan

Christopher Keogan scored the best win of his career so far at the Coral Welsh Open today, beating Alan McManus 4-2.

By James Lloyd

Doncaster’s 24-year-old Keogan is playing his debut season on the pro tour having come through Q School last May. He has found the going tough so far, but showed his potential today with a fine win over world number 28 McManus, knocking in breaks of 84 and 70 as he set up a last 64 clash with Hossein Vafaei.

Keogan has plenty of strings to his bow away from snooker. He works as a part-time Teaching Assistant in his home town, and plans to inspire the next generation of Yorkshire potters.

He said: “I started in a primary school, then that changed structure so I’m now at a secondary school called Hungerhill Academy in Doncaster.

“They do something called enrichment every Wednesday afternoon. The kids do all sorts of activities like gardening, 5km runs and now they have snooker on the list. I am working with World Snooker to get some tables into the school as the kids love it.”

Keogan practises at the Star Snooker academy in Sheffield and has been handed the job of minibus driver – ferrying fellow professionals from the academy between tournaments.

He added: “I help the academy out with the driving with the people carrier. I drove it down here to Cardiff with Igor Figueiredo, Thor Chuan Leong and James Wattana. I drive it as they aren’t used to the roads and I have the licence so I drive it down.

“The academy is a good environment to learn in. We are always pushing each other and I think it has sharpened me up. My goal is to keep learning, apply myself as much as I can, and hopefully pick up wins along the way. I’ll take it one match at a time.”