Rotherham's Ashley Carty seals return to pro snooker ranks after play-offs triumph

The 27-year-old won the 16-strong Q Tour play-offs at Darlington to earn a two-year ticket back to the main circuit and the right to mix it with the big names again.

Relegated off the tour last year after four terms, Carty was ranked 13th for this year's play-offs, with six-event Q Tour winner Martin O'Donnell having already claimed the other card.

Carty had a nervous start in the opening round and trailed Farakh Ajaib 3-0 before surging back to win 4-3.

He then beat Hamim Hussain 4-1 and turned around a 2-0 deficit to Ross Muir in the semi-final to take it 4-2.

That victory set up a decider against Austria's Florian Nuessle which Carty won 5-2.

"I got off to a really bad start at Darlington," said Ashley. "I was really nervous. After I got that first round match out the way I felt fine for the next three games. Even in the final I felt quite good and I've not felt as confident in a long time. It's good to be back."

Carty returns to the main tour for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns, with the new season due to start in the summer.

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