May 15th 2024.
Dene O'Kane, a beloved figure in the world of snooker, has sadly passed away at the young age of 61. He was widely recognized as New Zealand's greatest snooker player and his death has left a void in the hearts of many.
According to reports from the New Zealand Herald, O'Kane passed away in a tragic accident at his home on Waiheke. He had fallen earlier in the week and was hospitalized, but unfortunately did not recover.
During his prime, O'Kane was a force to be reckoned with on the snooker table. He reached the quarter-finals of the World Championship twice, in 1987 and 1992, during a highly competitive time in the sport's history. He even climbed as high as 18 in the world rankings and reached a ranking final in 1989, narrowly losing to Mike Hallett.
After retiring from the game, O'Kane became a successful real estate agent and also served as the chairman of the Massé cue sports club. His impact on the sport was undeniable, as noted by Bernie Endres, the club's secretary. Endres praised O'Kane as the greatest New Zealand snooker player and a massive presence in the world of cue sports. He also shared a special memory of O'Kane being admired by Dennis Taylor, a fellow professional, for breaking through in the sport despite the challenges of being from a small country.
O'Kane's passing has also been mourned by other players in the snooker community. Former world number three, Neal Foulds, who competed against O'Kane during their prime, shared his sadness on social media. He remembered O'Kane as a "good guy" who always had a touch of class and offered his condolences.
Alfie Burden, a current professional, also expressed his devastation at the news of O'Kane's passing. He shared that O'Kane was not only a great player, but also a great friend who took the time to practice with him when he was a young player. Burden also fondly recalled their time together off the table, sharing meals and making memories at tournaments.
One of O'Kane's most memorable moments on the baize was when he used his platform as a snooker star to make a moral statement. In 1995, he protested against France's nuclear testing in the Pacific by wearing an anti-nuclear sticker on his waistcoat during the Thailand Classic in Bangkok. He explained that it was his independent way of showing his disapproval of the testing and it was effective.
O'Kane may be gone, but his impact on the sport and the world will not be forgotten. He will be greatly missed and remembered as a talented player, a kind soul, and a champion for important causes. As Kyren Wilson, a fellow professional, said, "snooker has lost a great guy and a great competitor."
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