There was a home win in the opening International Poker Open event of 2014 with John O’Shea taking the honours in Galway.

Between 6-10 February the Boylepoke-sponsored pro battled his way through a 606-runner field at the city’s Radisson Blu Hotel and pocketed €21,780 for his efforts.

O’Shea started the final table with almost half the chips in play and hardly put a foot wrong on his way to a heads-up duel with fellow Irishman Geoff Healy.

But a couple of early double-ups put Healy right back in contention and with the stacks about even the pair agreed a chop that would see both walk away with €17,820 with almost €4,000 on top for the winner.

It didn’t take long for O’Shea to finish things off, turning a set with pocket 10s to crush Healy’s pocket fours.