Ireland's John Gray Wins International Poker Open 2010

John Gray (28) from Drogheda in Ireland has won the International Poker Open (IPO) 2010, after defeating a field of 1,293 players over three days to take down the title, and the €50,600 ($70,091) first place prize.
The €180 + €20 buy-in competition continues to be Europe’s largest poker event and a wide array of pros, amateurs, celebrities and Internet qualifiers turned out for the Boylepoker sponsored event at Dublin’s Regency Hotel. Included amongst the talented field were such players as Neil Channing, Padraig Parkinson, Surinder Sunar, Liam Flood, Jessie May, Andy Black and “Mad” Marty Wilson.
After the two starting Day 1 flights of the tournament were completed, 121 players found themselves in the money on the final Day 2.
Eventually the competition played down to its final table of nine with Irish player Eddie Landy way out in front on 2.945 million chips, followed by Gavin Flynn (Irish) on 2.225 million, and Aidan Connolly (Irish) on 1.725 million. Also at the final table were Conor Reddy (Irish) on 890k, Vincent Cosgrove (Irish) on 800k, Leon Pascal (French) on 790k, John Gray (Irish) on 790k, Craig Borrer (English) on 595k and Daniel Ward (English) on 555k.
First to exit the final table was Daniel Ward in 9th (€4,618) after having his Qc-9c push called by Gavin Flynn’s A-J. Leon Pascal was next to leave in 8th (€7,057) when his A-K fell to Craig Borrer’s pocket 6’s, only to be knocked out himself soon after in 7th (€9,395).
The 20-year-old Conor Reddy then collected €11,416 for his 6th place finish, while Vincent Cosgrove was eliminated in 5th (€13,944) after his Ah-Qs was beaten by John Gray’s pocket Kings.
Finally Gavin Flynn was eliminated in 4th (€17,735) and Aidan Connelly in 3rd (€23,538) to force the heads-up phase of the tournament between John Gray and Eddie Landy.
The decisive hand was played after Gray was dealt pocket jacks to his opponent’s 10d-4d, who subsequently pushed his short stack to the centre of the table. With the board running out Ac-Qd-8h-7d Eddie Landy was hoping for another diamond on the river to complete a flush but a harmless 3s sealed his fate and he took away €33,683 for his runner-up finish in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the County Louth man was crowned the International Poker Open Champion 2010 and collected €50,600 for his excellent victory. Commenting afterwards, John Gray said: 
“I feel great, it’s a bit surreal. I don’t know what to think, I can’t believe it but it will probably sink in tomorrow.”