Show goes on for mourning Maguire

Stephen Maguire will put personal tragedy to one side to begin his Pukka Pies UK Snooker Championship campaign in Shropshire tomorrow.

The world No 2's grandfather Paddy Maguire, arguably the Scot's greatest supporter who even converted his own home during the early 1990s so his grandson could practice on a full-sized table, died earlier this week.

And Maguire will miss the funeral as he is playing against Michael Holt in the first round at Telford's International Centre tomorrow.

But the Scot said Paddy had told him the snooker had to come first - no matter what happened.

"My granddad told me he wanted me to go to the UK Championship. That's what he wanted me to do, and I will be carrying out his wishes," said the 2004 UK champion. "Naturally this is a sad time. But I can console myself thinking he did see me win and about how much he enjoyed being in York that night I won this title."

Maguire will be in action on a busy opening Saturday featuring eight first round matches, four of which will be played to a conclusion.

Last year's winner Shaun Murphy begins the defence of his title against Gerard Greene, while there is a clash of former world champions when Mark Williams and Graeme Dott clash.

Tickets remain available for the early stages of the tournament.