Wang Triumphs After a Grueling 14-Hour Battle
The 2025 Irish Poker Tour made another successful stop in Athlone over the weekend, where Yue Wang captured the €30K in a Day Main Event title after an intense 14-hour marathon. The €200 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em showdown drew 235 entries, crushing its €25,000 guarantee to create a €38,350 prize pool. Wang, representing Ireland, outlasted a strong field to claim the trophy and a career-best payday of €10,000.
A Mix of Amateurs and Pros in the Field
The affordable buy-in attracted plenty of recreational players, but the event also saw several Irish poker notables take a seat, including Gavin O’Rourke, Mick Graydon, and the legendary Andy Black. Despite their experience, none managed to make the money, with IPT regular Anthony Crampton bursting the bubble in 25th place. His elimination ensured the remaining 24 players locked up at least double their investment.
Final Table Action and Results
By the time the nine-handed final table was set, every remaining player was guaranteed at least €1,000. Jason Ward exited first, followed by John Murphy and Callum Houston. Lithuania’s Mindaugas Arlickas finished sixth, earning his first four-figure live score with €1,700.
Junior Costa’s strong run came to an end in fifth, while Cormac McGinty claimed fourth for €2,800. Stephen Dwyer bowed out in third for €4,000, setting up a heads-up duel between Wang and Lithuania’s Vilius Kadelskas for the €10,000 top prize.
Final Table Payouts
| Rank | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yue Wang | Ireland | €10,000 |
| 2 | Vilius Kadelskas | Lithuania | €6,000 |
| 3 | Stephen Dwyer | Ireland | €4,000 |
| 4 | Cormac McGinty | Ireland | €2,800 |
| 5 | Junior Costa | Ireland | €2,200 |
| 6 | Mindaugas Arlickas | Lithuania | €1,700 |
| 7 | Callum Houston | Ireland | €1,400 |
| 8 | John Murphy | Ireland | €1,200 |
| 9 | Jason Ward | Ireland | €1,000 |
Heads-Up Duel and Wang’s Career Milestone
The heads-up battle was a fierce clash between two determined competitors. Kadelskas, who began recording live tournament results only in 2024, was chasing his first IPT title after already amassing nearly $40,000 in winnings this year. However, Wang’s consistency and composure proved too strong, and he sealed victory to claim his third IPT title — and his first Main Event crown.
This win completes an IPT hat trick for Wang. He previously won two side events in Galway: the €200 Pot-Limit Omaha 4/5/6 Card at the Tribesman Poker Festival in September 2023 for €2,900, and the €100 No-Limit Hold’em event in December 2023 for €1,480. His latest triumph marks his biggest live cash to date.
Next Stop: Siege of Clonmel IV
The Irish Poker Tour rolls on to its next destination — the Talbot Hotel in Clonmel, County Tipperary — for Siege of Clonmel IV, taking place from October 17–19, 2025. The three-day festival will feature seven events, including a €200 Main Event boasting a €50,000 guarantee.
Earlier this year, in May, Tommy O’Rourke conquered the Siege of Clonmel III Main Event, defeating a 415-player field to pocket €13,830 from a €67,730 prize pool. With that record, the upcoming stop promises yet another weekend of high-stakes action and big wins on the Irish poker scene.
