Patrick Clarke Wins Poker Irish Open For €200k

Patrick Clarke has won the 2014 Paddy Power Poker Irish Open Main Event, after besting a field of 411 players over four days on his way to lifting the title, and collecting the top prize of €200,000.
Clarke gained entry to the €2,250 buy-in tournament via a €4 online satellite, and following his remarkable victory the Irishman was in the mood for celebrating and promptly announced, “I need to get a drink, quick.”
In total, 47 places were paid and amongst the notable players seeing a return on their investments was Gerard Harraghy in 30th ($5,250), Chris Dowling in 24th ($5,250), David Masters in 19th ($6,355), and Jesse May in 17th ($7,599).
By the time the final table of eight had been reached, Patrick Clarke was the chip leader on a 2.8m stack, followed by Liam Chevalier (1.7m), Dave Pollock (1.55m), and Barry Donovan (1.5m). Also competing for the title was Thomas O’Shea (1.3m), Oliver Lynch (1m), Jonathan Lundy (850k), and Michael Gilligan (800k).
Patrick Clarke (A-A) then proceeded to bounce Jonathan Lundy (A-K) from the competition in 8th (€19,250), before being dealt pocket tens and hitting a set to do likewise to Barry Donovan (K-K) in 7th for €26,500.
Clarke (A-8) subsequently dispatched Michael Gilligan (Q-10) to the rail in 6th (€38,500), and after Oliver Lynch exited in 5th (€54,500), Clarke resumed his assault on the final table when his A-10 bested Thomas O’Shea’s Q-9 to eliminate him in 4th for €73,800.
Three-handed play continued for a while, until Clarke (8-8) knocked out Liam Chevalier (4-4) in 3rd (€97,500) to usher in the heads-up phase of the tournament. Going into the final battle Clarke held a 2 to 1 chip advantage over Dave Pollock, and in addition to  the title and the €200,000 first place prize, both men were also playing for the extra €50,000 reserved for the Sole Survivor.
After some play, the defining hand was eventually reached with both  Clarke (K-8) and Pollock (Q-7) all-in on a 2-7-K flop. The turn and river subsequently produced a 4 and a J to consign Dave Pollock to a runner-up finish worth €130,500, while Patrick Clarke was crowned the champion.
Final Table Results:
1st. Patrick Clarke – €200,000*
2nd. Dave Pollock – €130,500
3rd. Liam Chevalier – €97,500
4th. Thomas O’Shea – €73,800
5th. Oliver Lynch – €54,500
6th. Michael Gilligan – €38,500
7th. Barry Donovan – €26,500
8th. Jonathan Lundy – €19,250


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