#213: “You Can’t Stop The Beard”

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Kevin Killeen marches to the beat of his own drum, that and the drum most likely being beaten by his multi-coloured onesie-wearing comrades as they chant “You Can’t Stop The Beard” from the bleachers. Never have I known a more single-minded, confident and hungry young poker player. Never have I known a man whose intelligence, aggression and composure better suited the game of poker. Never have I been so pleased to see a person get what they deserved as I was last week when Kevin was crowned UKIPT Dublin Champion.

It was a carnival atmosphere in the Round Room of the Mansion House as host with the most David Curtis got the party started, buying the first round for all assembled. It was party-time on the rail as the final table developed, whittling down to a top-class short-handed contest. It was all business on the felt as the remaining competitors eyed up the title and a substantial pay-day. Kevin may have looked like the product of an unholy union betwixt Viking and Teletubby but he never let the occasion distract him from his goal. “They’re not taking my trophy”, said Kevin to Nick Wealthall literally seconds before the final table commenced.

The Firm were, of course, present to support their man. Dara, Daragh and myself love a good rail and the UKIPTs have been kind over the years, always providing at least one deep run in the Main and a couple of Side Event Final Tables (UKIPT Dublin was especially kind this time around with 5 Main Event cashers and three side event FTs). Truth be told though, this day was about Kevin and the people closest to him. We were onlookers, band-wagoners and eventually party gate-crashers.

Fintan Hand is the type of best of friend you want; a consummate pro at the tables, a consummate jester off of it. He is a smart man who knows how to have fun. Mammy Torino is the type of mammy you want; a friend first who understands her son, supports him and is so very, very proud of the man he has become. In fact, Kevin’s entire entourage are the type of posse you want; a colourful, loyal, fun-loving, rowdy but fair bunch. As the final river was dealt, they raised Kevin onto their shoulders but they equally gave Max Silver and all that fell before him a collection of deserved, sincere and spirited ovations. True sports-fans, they understood what makes a sporting occasion. And if ever a poker game could be called a sporting occasion, this was it. For it pit one of the best players in Ireland (although many would not have known that) against one of the most successful and decorated English poker players in recent history. There was an inevitability that it would come down to them.

Max got the better of the small-ball exchanges and, in total, he put Kevin all-in at risk four times. Twice the man from Skerries was ahead, once flipping and once behind. He won all four. Then, after the tables had turned and momentum swung in Kevin’s favour, he 3-bet induced KQ and Max took the bait with Q8s. The run-out was kind and pandemonium ensued. Drinks went flying, Irish flags were hoisted and from Kevin, there was an explosion of emotion. Dennis Taylor 1985. Ray Houghton 1988. Steve Collins 1995. Keith Wood 2001. Kevin O’Brien 2011. Kevin Killeen 2014. You can’t stop the beard.