“I went to the World Games knowing I'd have to play my way into the tournament in the pool games because I hadn't been able to practice for four weeks," says Dinsmore, who is given generous time off to compete internationally by his employers Bank of Ire-land Banking 365.

"I knew I would struggle, so when I beat the World champion Chu Shou Wei from Taipei in my fourth pool match, it was a huge boost I had been 1-5 down and came back to win 7-5."

Pool is huge in Taipei and Wei, aged 50 and one of the most experienced players, is a full time player, paid by the, government. Dinsmore came top against him again in the final. "I beat him 11-7 which is the exact score I recorded when I won my first World title," he says.

The only fly in the ointment came in the 8-ball competition, where Dinsmore lost to Wei in the semi-finals. "We don't play much 8-ball here since I come from snooker, the 9-ball game, which is based on potting, suits me better. Still, a gold and a bronze from the games isn't bad."

Dinsmore isn't Sure where he'll go from here. "I-badly need some-where to put my table so I can practice. Unfortunately, cue sports aren't part of the Paralympic programme so are not recognised by the Sports Council." Even a small grant from the Sports Council would go a long towards paying the rent on practice space. "Not to be bigheaded, but I feel I'm worth it How many other World and European champions does Ireland have?"

Although tempted to give up, the lure of adding to his tally titles is proving tough to resist. "All I know from the last few weeks not playing is that I love my sport and I want to continue. But to stay on top, I must have somewhere to practice daily."

Lindie Naughton, Evening Herald, 20th October, 2005