Joe Swail can't wait to get back on the baize at the Northern Ireland Trophy as he attempts to banish the pain of his final outing of last season.

The Belfast cueman crashed out of the 888.com World Snooker Championship in agonising fashion, losing 13-12 China's Liang Wenbo having missed the final brown in the deciding frame.

But he has finally cast aside his disappointment and is now focused on the season-opening event at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast in late August.

The world No 20 said "It's taken me quite a while to get over that match, and the new season can't come quickly enough for me so I can forget about it.

"I didn't play well last season but things were coming together at Sheffield, and if I had won that game, who knows what could have happened? That's why I was so disappointed.

"I was proud of the way I came back from 12-8 to 12-12, I gave it my best shot but it was such a sickener to lose. In a way I wish I had lost 13-8, that would have been easier to take.

"I was so close to getting into the top 16 so if I play well this year I could definitely achieve that. I'm starting the season with a clean slate, a new attitude and a new cue, and I'm really looking forward to it."

The 38-year-old added: "There's no better way to start than with my home tournament.

"All of the players love the venue and we get great support there, especially last year when Mark Allen got to the semi-finals. It's a great chance for the people of Belfast to see some top class snooker."

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