Alex Higgins died at the weekend.

I still remember the Christmas we got a pool table. It was set up in our split level garage and became a permanent source of rivalry in our family . Pot Black reigned supreme and Alex Higgins or the Hurricane almost made having an anger management problem cool.

I've never had the patience for many games, Snooker always frustrated me so I responded to his tirades. Apart from the odd cameo with my father at the RSA I'm retired these days. I used to play pretty much every day but I think I snapped my cue in two over my knees probably 10 years ago now, about the same time I gave up smoking and drinking.

Brilliant, self destructive he was an inspiration to me for all the wrong reasons growing up.

Dead at 61, toothless and eating baby food alone in a council flat I'm glad the infatuation stopped but still sorry to see how it all ended.