Prompted by a tactful query from the ever-professional Hazel Irvine, Ronnie O’Sullivan paid a heartfelt and beneficiant tribute to Paul Hunter on Sunday night time after successful his document seventh Masters title.

There can be one thing extra substantial on right here later right now in regards to the Rocket’s achievement, however I might identical to to dwell for a second on the Leeds man who died simply over 10 years in the past now on the tragically younger age of simply 27 – and his courageous dad and mom Alan and Krystina.

The re-naming of the trophy in Paul’s honour was a becoming and overdue gesture from World Snooker, and credit score to chairman Barry Hearn and others concerned for realising it.

The primary time the trophy was introduced after final April’s determination was all the time going to be an emotional event, and extra so as soon as it was determined that Paul’s father Alan would current it.

His dad and mom are two those that have completed their grieving primarily in non-public away from the general public gaze, and solely those that have suffered the identical horrible loss might probably think about what it have to be prefer to lose a treasured youngster in such circumstances.

World Snooker, the BBC, Eurosport and the written media did every thing they might to pay the proper respect with the precise tone to Paul, not just for his achievements within the event with three thrilling wins, however as a person.

However irrespective of how a lot care was taken, and irrespective of how a lot these efforts had been appreciated by Paul’s household, there should have been elements of the night that had been one thing of an ordeal for them with recollections of their beloved son flooding again.

I had a really temporary phrase with Alan within the after-final get together earlier than heading dwelling. He had proven such dignity all night time, and admitted that the night had been troublesome at occasions for each of them.

All you would actually say was that hopefully he had discovered the night a becoming tribute for his standard son, and say as soon as once more how a lot he was missed by the snooker group in addition to his household and mates.

You’ll be able to solely communicate finest from your individual experiences and I believe each colleague would agree that Hunter was a pleasure to interview, and introduced a box-office glamour to the sport unmatched by any participant apart from O’Sullivan in recent times.

It confirmed monumental braveness from the Hunter household participating within the proceedings final night time, I’m certain handing over the trophy to a participant that had lots of time for Paul and was at his funeral meant one thing, and if O’Sullivan took the event honours then for me Paul’s dad and mom weren’t far behind.