Donal Norton open-shoves pre-flop and after some thought, Neil Channing makes the call, showing A 9 to Norton's 5 5. We're racing for the tournament title, and the flop comes A Q 10 to give Channing the lead. The turn is the K and the river the A and Channing makes trips to win the 2008 Irish Poker Open!

For the win, Neil Channing takes home €801,400 while runner-up Donal Norton earns €420,000 for his efforts. Congratulations to both finalists, to Headmaster Liam Flood and to all of Ireland for putting on a poker tournament that so well represented the Emerald Isle!

The level is over and the blinds are up once more. Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion of the 2008 Irish Poker Open!

Donal Norton limps-in and Neil Channing checks his option. The flop comes 9 8 6 and both players check. The turn is the 8 and Channing leads out for $100,000. Norton raises to $400,000 and Channing makes the call. The river is the A and Channing checks to Norton, who bets out $400,000. Channing calls and Norton shows J-8 for trips. Channing, however, has K-8 for trips with a better kicker and he takes a substantial pot.

Neil Channing raises to $175,000 and Donal Norton makes the call. The flop comes K-10-8 with two hearts and both players check. They check again after the T hits on the turn and when the 6 comes on the river Norton checks a third time. Channing bets $150,000 and takes down the pot.

After only two hours of play at the final table in Dublin we're heads-up between Donal Norton and Neil Channing. Here are the chip counts as play gets underway:

Neil Channing	$4,436,000
Donal Norton	$2,238,000

 

Neil Channing open-shoves from the small blind and in the big blind, Thomas Dunwoodie makes the call, pinning his tournament life on the strength of his A 8 and finding himself ahead of Channing's A 7. The flop comes Q-4-3 and Dunwoodie maintains his advantage. The turn is a nine and nothing changes, but the river card is the 7 and Channing rivers a pair of sevens to send Dunwoodie to the rail.

The Englishman is out in third place and will take €275,000 for his time.

Thomas Dunwoodie moves all-in from the small blind again and Donal Norton makes the call, showing 8 5 to Dunwoodie's 9 7. The board comes Q-Q-2-6-4 and nine-high is good, doubling up Dunwoodie and keeping him in the hunt.

Thomas Dunwoodie open-shoves for his last $256,000 from the small blind and Donal Norton makes the call in the big blind, turning up A-5 to Dunwoodie's A-4. The board comes J-10-8-6-Q and the players split the pot.

Neil Channing limps-in and Thomas Dunwoodie completes in the small blind before Donal Norton checks his option in the big. The flop comes J-5-5 with two spades and the action checks to Channing, who bets out $150,000. His opponents fold and he takes the pot.

The break is over and the cards are back in the air from Dublin. Here are the chip counts as we begin three-handed play:

Neil Channing	$3,790,000
Donal Norton	$2,434,000
Thomas Dunwoodie	$422,000