Snooker Legend's 'Fame Too Much'

Twice world champion Alex Higgins' personal life was 'snookered' by his sporting success.

That's according to the Dean of Belfast, Dr Houston McKelvey, who also criticised media coverage of the flamboyant Belfast-born ex-world champion's life.

He said today that personal problems suffered by the snooker legend Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins stemmed from him becoming famous at a young age.

Mourners at his Belfast funeral were told today that: "Alex, at a very young age, encountered two of the greatest temptations possible - fame and fortune.

"He found it difficult to cope with both. He was not the first to find this difficult, and he certainly will not be the last."

McKelvey said some of the coverage of Higgins's life and death had been too judgmental, adding: "Many people - informed and ill-informed - have commented publicly on Alex, his life and his lifestyle over the past few days.

"It has been a media fest fed by a public which turns, often like a shoal of piranha fish, from one personality to another.

"Since Alex's death, many have been judgmental - despite the fact that there are few Irish families that I know of who don't have their own character to cope with in the family system."

The senior clergyman was speaking as snooker stars joined mourners at the funeral service, including friend and fellow player Jimmy White who had arrived at the cathedral to pay his respects.

Other famous names in attendance included the Dubliner Ken Doherty, also a world champion, the seven-times world champion, Stephen Hendry, and the Irish professional Joe Swail.

The final journey of Higgins, who was found dead at his flat in Belfast last weekend after a long battle with throat cancer, began from the south of the city following a private service at his family home in Roden Street.

His coffin was taken to the cathedral on a horse-drawn carriage and passed by a mural in the Sandy Row area paying homage to the 'people's champion'.

Hundreds of fans lined the route from the Donegall Road area through the city centre.

The 'Hurricane' won the world title in 1972 and 1982 despite being a controversial figure who was banned from five tournaments and fined £12,000 in 1986 when he head butted the UK championship tournament director, Paul Hatherell.

(BMcC/GK)