Dubliner Crowned Irish Poker Championship Winner

The 2009 Party Poker Irish Poker Championship got under way with 255 players at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Galway.   After all the dust had settled, 23 year old Dublin native Rory Rees Brennan was the champion taking home €160,000 for his effort in the €2,000 buy in tournament. 

In a press release Brennan said, “It’s unbelievable to take down this tournament. I went to the final table as chip leader, but at times I thought I was down and out. I am proud of how I played and, in particular, how I changed gears at key times.”  The top 26 players were in the money and brought in such notable names in poker as World Poker Tour host Mike Sexton, Marty Smyth, "Cowboy" Kenna James and the 2008 winner Jude Ainsworth.

The money bubble burst at the end of Day 2 which meant that those returning for Day 3 would have a little extra money in their pocket.  Below are the top 10 finishers of the Party Poker Irish Poker Championship and their payouts:

1st Place: Rory Rees Brennan, €160,000
2nd Place: Chris Dowling, €90,000
3rd Place: Ben Vinson, €55,000
4th Place: David Poole, €30,000
5th Place: David Curtis, €20,000
6th Place: Krzysztof Gwvszko, €15,000
7th Place: Peter Murphy, €12,500
8th Place: Derek Murray, €10,000
9th Place: Rory Liffey, €8,000
10th Place: Rory Brown, €7,000

A €750 buy in side tournament was held in addition to the Main Event.  At its final table were David "Devilfish" Ulliott, Surinder Sunar and Ainsworth.  At the highly publicized event, Ulliott broke out early and maintained his lead to the end, taking home €33,000.  “I got a lot of chips early in the tournament, which meant players were moving in with all sorts of marginal hands. I got lucky once against Paul Jackson with A-J against his queens and when I got heads-up against Surindar Sunar, I don’t think he won a hand.” Ulliott said about his win.