Ken Doherty (4)
His renaissance this year has been nothing short of spectacular. Had Doherty beaten Stephen Ebdon in Edinburgh in last week's Scottish Open final, he would have become one of only three players along with Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis to win three successive ranking events. Doherty (31) goes into the World Championships with more confidence than any time since becoming the first player from the Republic of Ireland to win it four years ago. Again Ireland's flag bearer, a win against England's Nick Dyson could see him face Dublin's Michael Judge in the second round. Odds 10 to 1.
Patrick Wallace (40)
A surprise qualifier, the Dungannon player narrowly failed to make it to the main draw last year, going out to Dominic Dale 10-8 in the last qualifying round. So it's the first year that the 31-year-old qualified accountant has made it to the Crucible. His first round opponent, Scotland's Alan McManus, is ranked 28 places above him at 12. Wallace's best performance was in 1999 when he reached the last 16 in the Regal Welsh, beating none other than Doherty along the way. Odds 100 to 1.
Michael Judge (31)
Currently on a career high ranking, Judge will be seen by fans in his debut World Championships this year as the man who prevented six-time runner-up Jimmy White from making a return for the 21st consecutive time. One of the circuit's most improved players, Judge (26) has twice been a 10-9 loser on the pink when trying to qualify for the Crucible. He faces the most senior player in the main draw, John Parrott, in the first round and possibly Doherty in the next. Odds 100 to 1.
Fergal O'Brien (13)
A 6-2 win over Doherty in the quarterfinal of the Masters at Wembley this season was followed by a record burst of scoring from England's Paul Hunter in the final. Hunter's four century plus breaks in that clinching session denied O'Brien the title but affords him the status of second favourite Irish player to last the two weeks. The soft spoken Dubliner made it to the quarter-finals last year before going out to eventual winner Mark Williams. Odds 50 to 1.
Joe Swail (11)
Swail's career was defined last year when he thrilled everyone with a completely unforseen run to the Crucible semi-finals, potting a 141 break on the way. Born in Northern Ireland but now living in Manchester, Swail's luck finally ran out when Matthew Stevens beat him 17-12 but not before he had become the first player to regain his top 16 place after dropping out of the top 32. Swail, faces England's Sean Storey in the first round. Self effacing, the crowd like him. Odds 100 to 1.
Odds courtesy of Paddy Power
