PartyPoker Irish Poker Championships, Galway, Ireland, €2,000 No-limit Hold'em, 2nd-4th January 2009

Entrants: 255
Buy-in: €2,000

1. Rory Rees Brennan, €160,000
2. Chris Dowling, €90,000
3. Ben Vinson, €55,000
4. David Poole, €30,000
5. David Curtis, €20,000
6. Krystof Gwvsko, €15,000
7. Peter Murphy, €12,500
8. Derek Murray, €10,000

23-year-old Dubliner Rory Rees Brennan celebrated late into the night after scooping €160,000 and the title at the first major poker tournament of 2009, the €2,000 buy-in (9% withheld) PartyPoker.com Irish Poker Championship. The Pokerevents.ie organized event took place at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Galway between the 2-4 January and attracted 255 runners.

Brennan has been a professional poker player since he left University College Dublin in 2006 after completing a course in commerce. He has been widely tipped for great things by the Irish poker community and is best friends with Eoghan O'Dea, who has also recently exploded on to the live circuit with his recent runner-up finish in the Poker Million. Brennan has already had great success online and is a member of PartyPoker.com's new Palladium Lounge for top players.

"It's unbelievable to take down this tournament," said Brennan. "I went on to the final table as chip leader but at times I thought i was down and out. I am proud of how I played and, in particular, how I changed gears at key times."

Brennan now plans to use his big windfall as a bankroll for more tournaments with the Aussie Millions and the Asian Poker Tour Philippines in his sights. He also said that the winnings would be useful for purchasing a new car and eventually starting a business.

The runner-up was 30-year-old Ballymore Eustace electrician Chris Dowling, who went home with €90,000. Late into the night Dowling was heard commenting how it would be good if the tournament concluded soon as he had to pick up his apprentice and go to work that morning! Dowling had previously cashed at small Irish festivals and plans to use his winnings to contribute towards building a new house.

The key hand came when Dowling pushed all-in with 9-6 off-suit. Rees Brennan quickly called with A-10 off-suit and his heart was in his mouth when a 9 came on the flop. The turn came an A to give the young Irish sensation victory and send his big supporting group into rapturous applause.

The third place finisher was Ben Vinson from Essex in the UK, the son of poker professional Alan Vinson. Vinson Jr dazzled with his creative play at the final table but eventually came unstuck. Fourth place went to Manchester’s David Poole, with local success for Galway as David Curtis finished fifth. Sixth place went to Poland’s Krystof Gwvsko, who qualified through a unique IPC satellite at the Olympic Casino in Warsaw. Seventh was Peter Murphy from South Armagh, with Derek Murray from Galway in eighth. The televised table bubble boy in ninth was popular pro Rory Liffey.

The €750 side event produced an awesome final table including David ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott, Surinder Sunar, 2008 IPC champion Jude Ainsworth, Paul Jackson and Marc Goodwin. The Fish was dominant throughout and picked up first place and €33,000.

Plenty of top class Irish pros flocked to Galway including Marty Smyth, Ciaran O'Leary, Liam Flood, Donnacha O'Dea and Padraig Parkinson. There was also a big international contingent in attendance including 'Ambassador of Poker' Mike Sexton, Kenna James, Mad Marty Wilson, Julian Gardner and 2008 Irish Open champion Neil Channing. France was represented by Claude Cohen and Veronique Gourdon, Poland by television presenter and boxing champion Agnieszka Rylik, while Spain's charge was led by Leo Margets and PartyPoker.com Women's World Open II star May Maceiras.

Also in attendance were 16 online qualifiers who won packages for the main event on PartyPoker.com. The package was worth $5,000, including the $2,800 buy-in, $1,000 spending money and accommodation in a luxury hotel. A large contingent qualified for only $3!!!