Kilkenny school teacher bags 'career-defining' poker win against best in Europe
The Kilkenny man made headlines at the Irish Open 2026 Main Event in Dublin
Two Irish players (including one from Kilkenny) have made headlines at the Irish Open 2026 Main Event in Dublin, finishing in the top 10 of one of Europe’s largest and most competitive poker festivals.
Matthew Twomey, 62, from Limerick, secured 8th place and €62,170 after earning his seat through a live satellite.
A veteran of nearly 50 years of poker, Twomey described reaching the final table as “fantastic” and praised the tournament’s inclusive atmosphere.
Close behind, Edward Dunphy, 33, a primary school teacher from Kilkenny, finished 9th, taking home €47,800.
An online qualifier through Boylesports, Dunphy has been chasing the Irish Open dream for five years.
A hurling enthusiast, he called the experience “career-defining” and expressed excitement at achieving his first major final table.
The Irish Open 2026 spanned 12 days with 86 events, culminating in the €2,500 Main Event, which smashed its guarantee to create a €4,852,910 prize pool.
The tournament welcomed 5,003 players from over 60 countries, delivering world-class competition and life-changing prizes.