paddypowerpoker.com pro Ciaran ‘Big C’ O’Leary finishes third

The quartet of Marty Smyth, Eoghan O’Dea, Ciaran O’Leary and Liam Flood completed a historic 1-2-3-4 in the Poker Million final in London on Friday, December 12th.  The Irish professionals were joined on the final table by internet qualifiers Kevin Allen of England and Sven Peter Neilsen of Norway.  However, these two players were the first to be knocked out, leaving the four Irishmen to fight it out for the bulk of the prizepool and the glory.

Liam ‘The Gentleman’ Flood, one of the best known Irish professionals due to his decades of success at the tables and long involvement with the Irish Open, was knocked out in fourth spot.  He was followed by Paddy Power Poker pro and WSOP bracelet-holder Ciaran ‘Big C’ O’Leary, leaving Eoghan O’Dea, who won $315,000 and captured the ECOOP III Main Event crown earlier in the week while playing on Paddy Power Poker, heads-up with former Irish Open winner Marty Smyth.

O’Dea eventually took the runner-up spot, allowing Smyth to add the Poker Million title to his trophy cabinet and $1,000,000 to his bank account.  This clean sweep of the top four positions completes a remarkable year for Irish poker, with the numbers attending live festivals and playing online flourishing despite a slowdown in the wider economy.

paddypowerpoker.com launches Poker Million betting market

Paddy Power Poker today launches the Outright Winner betting market for the 2008 Poker Million, after four of the six final table seats were claimed by Irishmen following stunning performances in the semi-finals.

Paddy Power Poker pro Ciaran ‘Big C’ O’Leary goes into Friday’s final holding the joint chip lead alongside Eoghan O’Dea, who won $315,000 and captured the European Championship of Online Poker III Main Event crown earlier in the week while playing on Paddy Power Poker.  They are joined by compatriots Liam ‘The Gentleman’ Flood and the reigning WSOP Pot Limit Omaha World Champion and former Irish Open winner Marty Smyth.  The final two seats are taken by two internet qualifiers, Kevin Allen and Sven Peter Neilsen.

All eyes are now on the $1,000,000 first prize on offer to the outright winner of the tournament, while the other five players will make do with prizes ranging from $75,000 for sixth place to $260,000 for second.  The final table will be shown live on Sky Sports 3 from 7pm.

Poker Million – Outright Winner*

Marty Smyth (282,000)           3/1

Ciaran O’Leary (339.000)       7/2

Eoghan O’Dea (339,000)         7/2

Liam Flood (237,000)              4/1

Kevin Allen (224,000)             5/1

Sven Peter Neilsen (179,000)  8/1

*Odds are subject to change. The Poker Million betting market can be found at www.paddypowerpoker.com. Click on poker on the left hand side of the page.

Popular Irishman finishes semi-final as chip leader

Ciaran ‘Big C’ O’Leary, paddy power poker brand ambassador, emerged as chip leader following the first semi-final of the Poker Million in London, England.  O’Leary, who joined an elite club of Irish WSOP bracelet holders when he won the $1,500 No Limit holdem Event 3 of the WSOP 2007, takes 339,000 chips through to the Poker Million final.  The event will be shown live on Sky Sports 3 from 7pm on Friday, December 12th.

The affable Corkman was joined by compatriot Liam ‘The Gentleman’ Flood and Kevin Allen in making it through the semi-final tournament, with all eyes focused on the $1,000,000 first prize on offer Friday night.  The other prizes to be won range from $75,000 for sixth up to $260,000 for second.

“We are thrilled with Ciaran’s performance in the Poker Million; he won his heat outright and finished chip leader in his semi-final”, said Eric Booth, Head of Poker at paddy power poker.  “He’s well placed to power his way to victory on Friday and has been boosted by all the support received from paddy power poker players, both on the poker tables and via his official blog. Hopefully he is giving us a preview of what to expect of him next April at the paddy power poker Irish Open; we’d love to see his name on the Terry Rogers Memorial Trophy!”