Donal’s Corner – Leaderboard 2025 Comes to an Incredible Crescendo in Portlaoise

This is the end

Beautiful friend

This is the end

My only friend, the end

Jim Morrison probably wasn’t writing about Paul Carr, Shane Keary and Killian Farrell in 1967 but he did claim to be a shaman and “All the children are insane” sure seems appropriate.

Anyway, back on planet IPT, the 2025 Leaderboard race ends in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise on December 27th. Paul leads the way with 7,770 points, closely followed by Shane on 7,380 and Killian on 7,220. The winner in Portlaoise will gain 700 points meaning that any one of the three could emerge as the Champion Player of the Year. Everyone who plays the Irish Poker Tour knows that there is a wonderful antagonism between the three lads meaning that the eventual winner will take inordinate pleasure in rubbing his closest opponents’ noses in his triumph.

Elsewhere, the race for a top 16 finish and a place in the Leaderboard Playoff, where over €37,000 will be up for grabs, is incredibly tight also. Anyone as far down as Paudie Cusack in 30th place could grab a place in the Dublin fiesta with a win in Portlaoise. Michael Fitzgerald is clinging on to 16th at the moment but it is almost certain that there will be a number of positions switched before the dust settles.

 

Our total leaderboard prizepool stand at €51,200 . An incredible number.  Good luck to all those fighting it out in the top 16 playoff where the pot of €37,000 will be on the line.

See you in Portlaoise!