Snooker: Ebdon is heading on right road

Peter Ebdon's dream of regaining his world title is alive after a badly needed confidence boost at the Irish Masters in Dublin late on Sunday night.

The 33-year-old world No 7 beat surprise finalist Mark King 10-7 to take the £48,000 first prize, and, with the World Championship at Sheffield just three weeks away, Ebdon has found form at exactly the right time.

"I have got a lot of positives to take away from this tournament," said Ebdon, who won five of the last seven frames after King levelled the match at 5-5. "[But] I have got a lot to improve on before I get to Sheffield. However, I am heading in the right direction," he said.

King had defeated Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White, Graeme Dott and Ken Doherty to reach the final but found Ebdon a different proposition.

Ebdon's victory - nine years after his last Irish Masters triumph - stops a slide down the rankings. "I would love to stay in the top eight," he added. "The way I have been playing I would be lucky to stay in the top 16."