Leo Fernandez
| Born |
5 July 1976 Limerick |
|---|---|
| Sport country |
 Ireland |
| Nickname | Fandango |
| Professional | 1995–1997, 1998–2001, 2002–2006, 2007/2008, 2016– |
| Highest ranking | 67 (2004/2005) [1] |
| Current ranking | 127 (as of 31 October 2016) |
| Career winnings | £125,000[1] |
| Highest break | 140 (2015 Q School)[1] |
| Century breaks | 32[1] |
| Best ranking finish | Last 16 (2003 Welsh Open)[2] |
| Tournament wins | |
| Non-ranking | 1 |
Leo Fernandez (born 5 July 1976 in Limerick) is an Irish professional snooker player.
Career
Fernandez finished second on the PIOS Order of Merit in 2007 gaining promotion to the Main Tour for the 2007–2008 season, although he failed to finish inside the top 64 and was relegated after that season. He has been on and off the Main Tour a few times during his career, failing to make any significant impact each time. He suffered from testicular cancer in 2005 but continued playing while he recovered.
His best ranking event display came when he reached the last 16 of the 2003 Welsh Open, defeating opponents including fellow Irishman Fergal O'Brien and Mark King.[2] He qualified for the 1999 World Championship but drew Ronnie O'Sullivan and lost 10–3. He also reached the final qualifying round in 2004, losing 10–8 to Dominic Dale. He was Jamie Burnett's opponent in 2004 UK Championship qualifying when Burnett scored a 148 break, the first ever break in excess of 147 in a professional match.[3][4]
As an amateur, Fernandez reached the final of English Amateur Championship in 2010, losing to Jack Lisowski, playing in the tournament again in 2011 and winning the title, victorious 10–6 in the final over John Whitty. He entered Q-School in 2015 and made it to the final round before losing 4–1 to Rhys Clark.[5] In October 2015, Fernandez played in the Asian Tour, and reached quarter-finals of the Haining Open before losing 4–1 to world number 11 Ricky Walden.[6] This need being enough for Fernandez to qualify the main tour, however Fernandez was suspended from the sport of snooker for a period of 15 months following corruption charges and would not be eligible to participate in snooker events before 27 August 2017. [7][8][9]
Personal life
Fernandez was born in Limerick, Ireland, but currently lives in Bexhill-On-Sea, England, where he is the resident coach and manager at O'Sullivan's Snooker & Pool Club.[10]
Career finals
Non-ranking finals: 1 (1 title)
| Outcome | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score |
| Winner | 2001 | Challenge Tour Event 2 |  Ryan Day |
6–3 |
Amateur finals: 3 (2 titles, 1 runner-up)
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1. | 2006 | 2006 PIOS – Event 3 | Lee Walker |
6–5 |
| Runner-up | 2. | 2010 | English Amateur Championship |  Lisowski, JackJack Lisowski |
2–9 |
| Winner | 3. | 2011 | English Amateur Championship | John Whitty |
10–6 |
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Career-total Statistics for Leo Fernandez – Professional". CueTracker – Snooker Database. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- 1 2 "Leo Fernandez - Profile". World Snooker. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- ↑ "Scot Burnett compiles 148 break". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- ↑ "Burnett's break goes one better". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- ↑ "Snooker star narrowly misses out on tour place". Hastings Observer. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- ↑ "Fernandez Run Ended but Main Tour Hopes Remain Alive". snookerhq.com. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- ↑ "WPBSA STATEMENT – LEO FERNANDEZ". World Snooker. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ↑ "FLeo Fernandez handed 15-month ban after admitting corruption charge". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ↑ "Leo Fernandez is suspended from snooker for 15 months". Sky Sports. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ↑ "Leo Fernandez". O'Sullivan's Snooker & Pool Club. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
External links
- Leo Fernandez at CueTracker.net: Snooker Results and Statistic Database
- Leo Fernandez at World Snooker
- Profile on the Global Snooker Centre