Newbridge snooker star Boileau shocks world number 6 in stunning win at the Welsh Open

Newbridge snooker star Josh Boileau pulled off the shock of the tournament at the Welsh Open yesterday afternoon when he knocked out world number 6 Shaun Murphy in the second round of the tournament.

21-year-old Boileau was a big outsider going into the match against the 2005 World Champion, but he stormed into a 3-0 lead, before Murphy clawed his way back in by winning two frames, but the Newbridge man held out to come through on a scoreline of 4-2. Boileau, who only turned professional last year, stated after the match that Murphy was his inspiration when he was younger, and the English man's 2005 World Championship win was one of his first memories of watching snooker.

“Just to play Shaun today was a dream come true, and to beat him is something I will always remember," said Boileau.

“He inspired me, I started playing after watching him win in 2005. He beat Matthew Stevens in the final and I have played Matthew a few times too.

“I was ten years old at the time. I played pool, but I had never played snooker and it started to interest me when it was on the TV. So to beat Shaun now is very special.”

“Now I have beaten Shaun I can’t see why I can’t win a few more matches. I’d like to play all of them – Ronnie, Mark Selby, anyone. Give them to me and we’ll see what happens.

"I can’t see why I can’t win a few more matches."

He will go on to play Robert Milkins in the round of 32 later on today after he came through a rather comfortable tie with Eden Sharav in the second round, winning 4-1.