The retired trophy presented for the Benson and Hedges Irish Masters Snooker Tournament between 1978 and 1998, hallmarked Irish silver-gilt, the styli

The retired trophy presented for the Benson and Hedges Irish Masters Snooker Tournament between 1978 and 1998, hallmarked Irish silver-gilt, the stylish trophy incorporating as suspended black snooker ball in the design, the triangular wooden base set with silver-gilt plaques engraved BENSON and HEDGES IRISH MASTERS, and inscribed with details of the winners: 1978 JOHN SPENCER 1979 DOUG MOUNTJOY 1980 TERRY GRIFFITHS 1981 TERRY GRIFFITHS 1982 TERRY GRIFFITHS 1983 STEVE DAVIS 1984 STEVE DAVIS 1985 JIMMY WHITE 1986 JIMMY WHITE 1987 STEVE DAVIS 1988 STEVE DAVIS 1989 ALEX HIGGINS 1990 STEVE DAVIS 1991 STEVE DAVIS 1992 STEPHEN HENDRY 1993 STEVE DAVIS 1994 STEVE DAVIS 1995 PETER EBDON 1996 DARREN MORGAN 1997 STEPHEN HENDRY 1998 KEN DOHERTY height 42.5cm., weight just under 2kg.(including wooden base), in original fitted wooden carrying case; sold together with an official programme & a DVD of Alex Higgins final major career tournament victory in the 1989 Irish Masters (4) The Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament started out as a challenge match in 1975 between Alex Higgins and John Spencer.In 1976 and 1977 the event was staged as a four-man invitational, and was replaced by the Irish Masters in 1978. Benson & Hedges continued their sponsorship with the tournament being played at Goffs, in County Kildare. The present trophy was retired after tobacco sponsorship of sports events was outlawed. The Irish government stepped in to fund the event thereafter. A rare opportunity to purchase a majors sports trophy bearing the names of snooker players afforded legendary status thanks to a great deal by the televised boom and professional management and marketing by the likes of Barry Hearn.