Killarney Poker Festival – Day 5 Wrap
At events such as The Killarney Poker Festival, throughout the week friendships are forged that will last a lifetime. With the common ground being the poker, people from every walk of life come together. One of the IPT’s main ethoses is to create an environment that is inclusive and focused on the players’ experience. Walking around the room you immediately feel welcome to join in for a bit of craic on or off the table. With 2 days to go in the festival there was still a lot of poker to be played.
Saturday began with the Killarney Main Event Day 1G with a queue forming out the door as those eager to have another go, or just arriving wanted a chance to get to the next stage of the Main Event. With 157 entries getting up bright and early the Gleneagle was alive with anticipation. From this flight 35 players went through the highest stacks brought forward were with Stephen Cullen and Tommy Bardon, who had 333,000. The highest stack was with Paul Coyle, who had 508,000.
There was one last chance for players to qualify for Day 2 of the Main Event in the form of the Killarney Main Event Day 1h Hyper. This attracted 41 entries bringing the overall prize pool for the Main Event to €535,085. From this fast-paced format there were 14 players that made it through to the next stage. The highest stacks were with Vidmantas Beliauskas, who had 133,000, Mark Buckley had 292,000 and Tomas Geleziunas, brought forward 326,000.
The Killarney 300 got off to a roaring start with many onlookers keeping one eye on the progression of the Main Event. With 370 entries this propelled the prize pool to a whopping €94,130. When the payouts were announced those still involved realised, there was an incredible chance to turn their €200 buy-in, into €21,000, which was the potential prize for first place. As the pack thinned a 4-way ICM deal was done in 4th was Dave Kingston, who banked €11,590, in 3rd and pocketing €11,915 was John Gonzalez. 2nd place went to Edgar Fic, taking away €12,255. The winner who had been listening closely throughout the festival to wise words from Dara O’Kearney took home the trophy and €14,530 was June Jenkins.
Next up was the big one, the Killarney Main Event Day 2. Those that bagged up had to get through the 2nd stage to make it through to the final day. With the GTD smashed — 899 total entries creating a prize pool of €535,085 and a first prize of €100,000 — the Main Event was a ball of excitement.168 entries had made it through, 90 were to be paid. As play progressed and players were left by the wayside, one of the highlights for all but 1 person at a festival, was approaching. After a few close calls, that resulted in players doubling up. It was Gerard Ward who was our unlucky player to finish in 91st and just miss out on cashing. His A♠K♠ looked good against Charlotte Waters’ J♥10♥ until the flop came A♥Q♠K♥. The board ran out 2♦5♣ and we had to say goodbye to “Sugar”.
The room erupted in elation and those just holding on could breathe a sigh of relief. The Day 2 played on until level 25 which meant that 23 players held on to make it through to the Killarney Main Event Day Final. The highest stacks going into the final day were with Cahal Heapes who has 2,140,000, 2nd highest stack is with Adam Green, who amassed 2,230,000. The chip leader and by quite some margin going into the final is Ed Fogarty, who has 5,900,000. How will this play out? Only time will tell.
The Saturday Omaha drew 75 entries, building a prize pool of €19,440 and setting the stage for a new champion. With Shane Keary’s run cut short, the title was there for the taking and the chips moved around the table in a game of shifting momentum. Dmytro Ponamarov bowed out in 3rd for €2,700, leaving just two players standing. A heads-up deal saw Daryl McAleenan secure €5,000, while Gerard Carbo Santamaria from Andorra — one of the WPT Global Golden Ticket holders — sealed the victory. Gerard, here with his wife and enjoying a wonderful weekend, captured the title, the trophy, and €5,040. A proud moment for the Andorran, and the perfect ending to a trip that will be fondly remembered.
The NLH Turbo Freezeout again saw a great turnout with 105 entries bringing the prize pool to €17,135. As the day turned to night, it got down to the final table. Players began to get eliminated and when there were 4 players left Anne Pearson, who was lowest stacked, doubled up numerous times to become the chip leader. A deal was done which meant 3 would take home €2,900, and the winner would bank an extra €335 and take home the trophy. The winner was Keith O’Connor, who took home the trophy and €3,235. In 4th was Pavlo Havrylyshen, in 3rd Anne Pearson, and 2nd was Norbert Golebiowski all banking €2,900.
What else is there to say than…IT’S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
Players who have qualified will be getting their rest ready to do battle one last time, who will be crowned champion of The Killarney Festival 2025, make sure to stay tuned to livepokerupdates to find out.