Joe O'Connor

Bio

Leicester’s Joe O’Connor enjoyed the best season of his career during the 2022/23 campaign as he reached his first ranking event final at the Scottish Open.

Impressive victories against Zhao Xintong, Ding Junhui, Mark Williams and Ricky Walden saw him equal his previous career-best semi-final run, before a standout 6-3 win against Neil Robertson saw him go one better in Edinburgh.

Although he would lose the title match 9-2 to Gary Wilson, he would go on to reach the quarter-finals of the Welsh Open and the semi-finals at the Players Championship later in the season and break into the world’s top 30 for the first time.

O’Connor made his debut in the televised stages of the World Championship in 2024 after defeating Matthew Selt 10-8 in the final qualifying round.

At the Crucible, O’Connor faced four-time world champion and friend Mark Selby – defeating him 10-6, before losing to eventual champion Kyren Wilson in the last 16.

O’Connor had previously reached his maiden ranking semi-final at the 2019 Welsh Open following impressive victories against K. Wilson, Ding Junhui and defending champion John Higgins.

He also scored wins against Higgins at the China Open and Ryan Day at the UK Championship to earn the ‘Rookie of the Year’ prize at the annual World Snooker Awards.

Early Career

He joined the World Snooker Tour at the start of the 2018/19 season following victories against Brandon Sargeant and Oliver Brown at the EBSA Play-Offs in Sheffield.

He is also a former winner of the English Amateur Championship, having defeated former professional Andrew Norman 10-3.