Ken Duhreti, the 1997 world champion, played against “92 category” throughout his career and felt that this match was “the tie”.
The Irish said: “They have been at the top of the game since 1992, 33 years old, and they are still at the top and are still producing.”
“As you get older, it becomes more difficult because players are like me, Stephen Hinderi, Alan McManos, and Peter Eddin, have all discovered. It is difficult to deal with stress and intensity and also be able to devote your life to the game.
“You become a father, a family man and it is difficult to devote themselves to the game, but they still have appetite, desire and hunger, and this is an incredible talent either.
“I have recorded the heads with them for 30 years. I overcame them all, but I lost them all in a big finals. I went through great times that I played for them and you enjoyed it because it was a great test for your private day.”
Duhreti, part of the BBC TV team for the competition, was that the atmosphere would be electric.
He added: “When you see them enter the crucible for their match, they will get permanent applause as they did in the master's degree.” “We may not see this type of three again, so we have to enjoy it while we can. They have given great entertainment and wonderful matches and are still progressing.”
Sean Murphy cleared Jude Trump, who hit him 13-10 on Monday, to win the title but believed that Williams Higgins would become “great for sports”.
He added: “92 category is three of the best players we have seen ever, and it is great to watch them.
“None of them will be here if they do not want to be, it is clear that they love him enough to put themselves through it.”
