New Zealand Snooker Legend Dene O'Kane Interview

In this fascinating interview, New Zealand's greatest snooker player Dene O'Kane provides broadcaster Mark Watson with some insight into how he got involved in what many regard as the golden era of snooker. A two-time World Championships quarterfinalist in the late 80s and early 90s, Dene was in the thick of the action with the likes of Alex Higgins, Jimmy, White, Steve Davis, Steven Hendry, and so many other great players of the time. Dene discusses everything from moving to the UK as a 17-year-old, the lowlights and highlights of his career, how juniors can follow in his footsteps, the future of cue sports, and everything in between.

[@lyneemathison2402]

Great Interview Dene, REST IN PEACE. 🙏

[@BunyanaRed1958]

Yeah. Really awful news.

[@zzmike]

Fascinating interview, spoiled, for me, by the ultra-irritating background music. I would have watched the whole thing, but the music forced me away after about 7 minutes in as i could not stand listening to it any longer. --Mike

[@thomasgray5406]

That music is so irritating.

[@joriah69]

Fab…aside from the irritation of the porn music,this guy has tales that doesn’t need this disrespect of crap tunes above his cool tales, terrible

[@trimmocha42]

Very sad to hear of his passing. Such a gentleman and a great ambassador for NZ.

[@thomasgray5406]

RIP Dene. Great player and charismatic. Pity this interview has thar cretinous mood music throughout and a rather amateurish interviewer.

[@ianwatkins6202]

This was a very interesting listen 😊Always like Dene's playing style! New Zealand has sadly lost a real rem on a man, ture gentleman ! RIP. DENE

[@AnnBennett-js4oy]

Such a talented player. RIP Dene, great loss for many of us.

[@vilekangarooo5068]

Dene was a good man RIP

[@danielkarmy4893]

I've always liked watching Dene play and always rated him very highly. He's the trailblazer that nobody ever seems to talk about, which is a great shame because he sacrificed just as much as the others who are more celebrated - the likes of Neil Robertson, James Wattana, Ding Junhui, Eddie Charlton, Cliff Thorburn, and so on. Still a classy player, always a classy chap. 🙂

[@Charlie_Crown]

Excellent player, great story behind him, one not told nearly enough, an inspiration, RIP Dene, gone way too soon

[@AnnBennett-js4oy]

RIP Dene. Such a huge loss.

[@SnookerMafia-or6nu]

A really sad loss. R.I.P Dene. Sadly missed.

[@christopherlogan9315]

Great interview. Dene made huge sacrifices at such a young age to achieve his dream. 17 year old boy with just a cue and £700 in his back pocket, travelling to the other side of the world - now that is dedication.

[@Charlie_Crown]

Absolutely, a great story, a brave story, one of dedication and determination

[@davidsmith5523]

Dene O'Kane beat Steve Davis in a team event once. He played very well. Incidentally i recall reading that he borrowed the book Spencer on Snooker so frequently from his local library that the Librarian eventually gave the copy to him.

[@Billy.Nomates]

Turned pro at 84,wow

[@BadgerBotherer1]

Turned pro at 84, died at 61 - quite a feat. R.I.P., Dene,

[@michaelthompson2967]

Meant 1984 surely.

[@Billy.Nomates]

@@michaelthompson2967 I'm sure..I was just being sarcastic

[@michaelbardeleben4519]

New Zealand has a proud billiards history and I’m certainly coming around and embracing their love for the sport. They love pool…all forms of pool but my favorite is their spots and stripes pool on 7 foot table. Rules are a bit funny but I could very easily and lovingly adapt my game into the NZ way of life. Beautifully stunning vistas their Islands have as well. The perfect retirement spot with golf and pool my retirement pasttimes.

[@jwbjwb999]

RIP Dene. I'm even more thrilled now that you thrashed me at the Yacht Squadron that evening. What a great interview and a great insight into a great NZ snooker player.

[@BigAmp]

Nice video. Well done Dene O'Kane, himself and Clark McConachy the best ever from NZ.

[@richardevans3253]

Remember watching Junior Pot Black with Dene Okane playing ,along with John Parrot etc .

[@gregorymartin4767]

Had some great victories at the crucible,RIP Dean 👍

[@digeme69]

The Connaught Rooms in London mentioned by Dene is still there and held the qualifiers for the Dulux British Open in 1985. It was the only time a snooker event was held there. The snooker club next door is now called Sway and is a drinking/club establishment. I remember seeing Dene in HSBC near Holborn around 20 years ago.

[@TerryDonoghue-t4d]

I still go to the Connaught Rooms for property auctions today. Played snooker there when I was a kid mid 80’s.

[@RFED2O]

Knew him from the 80s coming up to Winners Snooker Club in Southgate, London... Lovely bloke, just a standard bloke and you would never of thought he was a pro snooker player... RIP Dene

[@Charlie_Crown]

He did it the hard way, a very determined person

[@dean147uk]

RIP Dene x

[@GregoryPaulDavis]

Nice informative chat! Well done.

[@michaelthompson2967]

May you R.I.P Dene O'Kane. From another Kiwi.

[@roadofsnookerfinals6572]

Goodnight Dene.

[@mickykedian7753]

Great interview. RIP Dene

[@RFED2O]

Dene O'Kane a man from New Zealand yet still chats about The Great Alex.. Alex charmed and sprinkled his magic on everyone around the world

[@mattbrierley2807]

Should do the Seniors next Year ,nice guy great player 😊

[@friendanderson2754]

A good interview Dean, regards Chris Anderson .

[@GENESIS.50-20]

RIP you were my hero on the table. My friend played you at a rsa. .

[@freshstef2k7]

Really enjoyed watching this

[@mabbrey]

great chap

[@petermischefski183]

I remember it all so well Dene, great days, well done mate!

[@nzbsasecretary5141]

Great Interview - hope to see Dean more around the NZ snooker scene - come have a game at PCC

[@mikerusby]

I remember Dean, not a bad player. man he got old :)

[@ianstewart3799]

A great listen, didn't realize the level of achievement was that high. Well done Dene!

[@digeme69]

The match with Thorburn from the WC 87 is featured in this review of the season starting at the 13.30 mark kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJi9aqKCaKdojZI

[@ianstewart3799]

Brilliant break and completion of match! Very enjoyable to see.

[@Billdick360]

Mercentile credit sponsored a big tournament.