[retired_kikiiscwazy]

Whirlwind Jimmy makes a prison break . . . for charity

THE 'Joy has never seen anything like it.

Snooker legend Jimmy White yesterday delighted inmates in the Dublin prison by playing them in a unique charity "prison break".

Killers, drug dealers, convicted armed robbers and other figures from the criminal underworld yesterday packed into the jail's spartan auditorium as White, nicknamed the 'Whirlwind', visited the prison to play a selection of prisoners.

Under the watchful gaze of warders, Mr White emerged to a rapturous welcome dressed in black waistcoat and trousers.

The south Londoner, crowned the 'People's Champion', didn't disappoint his audience with a display that lifted them from drab daily routines.

Prison officers said the wings were buzzing with anticipation over the last month as inmates played each other for the chance to take on the six-times World Championship runner-up.

"One (of the inmates) was quite good, the second frame," said White after the exhibition, which raised money for Ireland's Special Olympics team.

"Some were a bit nervous there.

"They probably play a lot better than that on the wing."

He agreed to the exhibition match after fellow professional snooker player Alfie Burden's Dublin-born friend was imprisoned there earlier this year.

The convicted man, who can only be identified as Derek, played professional soccer for Swansea and Oldham Athletic before becoming a private investigator.

The plan was hatched inside Mountjoy six weeks ago when Burden visited his friend who was looking for a focus during his 18-month sentence for assault.

"I said why don't you put it to them that me and Jimmy can do an exhibition?" said Mr Burden.

Inmates in the 'A' wing presented White with pink cue towels embroidered in the prison fabric shop with the star's name and "Mountjoy Prison 2007".

- Brian Hutton

Lock him in there :cool:

[aeonteal]

New season \o/ definately gonna make the effort to get to the World Champs next year, even if it is miles away already.

[aeonteal]

Originally posted by Mika:
Lock him in there :cool:

He would fit in tbh

[Mindzei]

ROS iafc

[retired_leaf9]

The rankings seem a bit of a shambles. How can Stephen Hendry still be in the top ten, I thought he hadn't won anything for at least two years. Mark Williams too, he's looked like he can't be a*sed for the past 3 seasons.

Oh and ROS iafc

[BarryLFC]

Who is this "Derek" that played for Swansea and Oldham then?

[retired_kikiiscwazy]

Originally posted by superayrunited:
The rankings seem a bit of a shambles. How can Stephen Hendry still be in the top ten, I thought he hadn't won anything for at least two years.

Neither has Ronnie.

[retired_kikiiscwazy]

Originally posted by HD:
Who is this "Derek" that played for Swansea and Oldham then?

Yeah I was wondering that, no idea.

[runronnirun]

hmm, wonder where the UK is gonna go then. Preston would be ideal really, probably too much to hope for.

[retired_kikiiscwazy]

Rumours for Telford which has upset a lot of people I know as allegedly it's a shocking venue.