Ken Doherty is looking to next week's Irish Snooker Open to give him an end of year lift in the rankings. There is also the inviting prospect of a top prize of £50,000 in this inaugural event at the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght.

"Obviously there's going to be extra pressure on me playing in my own backyard," said the world number six, yesterday. "But I proved I could handle pressure at the highest level by winning the World Championship."

Doherty, who is competing in the invitation German Masters this week, is acutely aware of having squandered the chance of victory when losing 7-6 to Stephen Hendry in Malta last Sunday. But he insisted: "My game is in good shape and I'm upbeat about my chances next week."

He went on: "I can think of no better way of celebrating Christmas at home than as the new Irish Open champion." In fact victory would complete a unique double for Doherty, who was awarded the Benson and Hedges Irish Masters earlier this year when Ronnie O'Sullivan was stripped of the title because of drug-taking.