- Dene O’Kane has died at 61
- The billiards legend suffered a fall at his home
- O’Kane was revered by his great snooker partner
New Zealand snooker legend Dene O’Kane has died aged 61 following a tragic accident at his home on Waiheke Island.
O’Kane made snooker very popular among New Zealanders in 1987 after his incredible exploits at the World Billiards Championship, in which he reached the quarter-finals that year and also in 1992.
The familiar name reportedly fell at home earlier this week and died in hospital yesterday, according to the New Zealand Herald.
O’Kane reached a career-best ranking of 18th in the world in 1991/92, remaining in the top 32 until 1996. He retired from the sport with earnings of £415,000 in 2007.
The 61-year-old later became a real estate agent but continued playing pool in his final year and took part in exhibition tournaments around the world.
Billiards legend Dene O’Kane has died aged 61 after an accident at his home
O’Kane also served as president of Masse, a top-level cue club, and was held in such high regard among his peers that he played at showcase events alongside figures such as Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor.
“I remember talking to Dennis Taylor and he told me how much he admired Dene,” his secretary, Bernie Endres, told the Herald after O’Kane’s death.
‘He talked about how difficult it was for those guys in the UK to make it to the professional circuit, let alone for someone from a country at the bottom of the planet.
“Someone who had left home at his age, without money to survive and succeed on the professional circuit.”
Reflecting on his career two years ago, O’Kane said: “It could always have been better, that’s what I say.”
“But when you’re at the top, you just have to get what you grab, what you can, and I had some very, very good years on the pro circuit.”
The New Zealander reached the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship on two occasions
O’Kane arrived in the UK at the age of 17 with a promising reputation as a New Zealand amateur and champion.
—That was early 1981, mid-February, which is a stupid time to go, you know, because it’s the middle of winter… but I got to Heathrow. He had two suitcases with pool cues and £700 in his pocket.
During his career, O’Kane won 10 New Zealand titles, two Australian Opens, two Oceania Championships and three World Masters Championships in 2004, 2005 and 2008.
Endres said: “He was always great company, a real character.”