Chipping away...

I am in the middle of exams at the minute and for the first time, academically, I've been doing more than cramming the morning of exams and faking, "issues", to get me out of penalties for late assignments and lack of attendance.

For the first time in four years I didn't attend the Irish Open. I usually love that weekend, but with an exam early the following week, Ii decided to give it a miss and spend the Easter with my family in Galway.

There was a touch of the recovering alcoholic who can't attend his nephew's 10th birthday party for fear of drinking anything he can get his hands on.

I was delighted to see Seamus go so deep. Plaudits have not been of short supply for Seamus following his handling of bad beats in such a major event. Glad to see him getting the recognition amongst the wider public, rather than just the guys who always knew how good he is.

I was due to play the JP Masters but another exam and a friend's stag party took precedence. I did make it back up in time to play the €150 side event. It managed to get only 53 runners which was a bit of a letdown.

I played quite well, ran good at the important moments and in the end was unlucky to finish 3rd. I felt for JP on a personal level as he runs the best show in Ireland but was let down by a lack of support this week.

Maybe a change of venue and back to the Maldron is what's needed.

I did manage to find some degens with no homes to go to. Doke and Badge Head were having a good time along with Danny, Phil Baker, Breifne and some of the dealers. It really was upsetting to see how dead the place was.

Next up is the UKIPT Cork and then I'll keep plugging away online. Myself, Tom Kitt and the Goat were due to get a house with Fergal Nealon but I decided against Vegas this year.

The last three years have pretty much been a cycle of January-May build up some sort of a roll, June-August blow that roll in Vegas, Sept- December get staked to get me back on my feet! Think that needs to be changed so I'm gonna stick to the online grind.