SNOOKER: Stoke potters Dave Harold and Jamie Cope are relishing the chance to shine when the new snooker season begins tomorrow.

Harold and Cope kick off their 2008-09 campaigns at the Northern Ireland Trophy, which runs at Belfast's Waterfront Hall from August 24-31.

And for 41-year-old Harold it's the chance to put his new cue to use at the first ranking event of the new term.

The Trent Vale cueman has swapped his 14-year-old cue for a new model – and he's looking to start the season with a win.

"I've got a new cue, I've been battling with it for the last five weeks," revealed Harold.

"I had my old cue for 14 years, but I decided I just wanted a change. That cue's been locked away, I'd never give it away, I've got too many fond memories of playing with it.

"But getting a new cue is a fresh start for me. I want to start the season well and hopefully this cue will help me."

Harold has been practicing hard with his good pal Ian McCulloch, the Preston potter and former World Championship semi-finalist.

But the former Asian Open champion has been surprised how much time he's had to practice, especially with the birth of his daughter Millie.

"I've not had that many sleepless nights to be honest, she's been great," added the world No 28.

"Millie's taken up a fair bit of time, but it's not stopped me practising, she's been sleeping a lot!"

Harold lock horns with Flintshire cueman Ricky Walden in his first-round match tomorrow (1pm). If he wins that best-of-nine frames clash he would play Glaswegian former world champion Graeme Dott in the second phase.

"Me and Ricky are good mates, we usually end up rooming with each other at some tournaments. But funnily enough I've never played him in a professional tournament. We've played in pro-ams before, but never in a major event.

"He's probably the best player outside of the top 32. He's probably underachieved, but he's still a cracking player.

"I can't look too far ahead, but it would be nice to have a crack at Dotty in the next round."

Meanwhile, Longton potter Cope opens his account against Londoner David Gray, an opponent who has not qualified for a ranking event for eight months.

Victory in the first round on Monday evening (7.30pm) would yield a second-round meeting with Cambridgeshire cueman Joe Perry, a beaten semi-finalist at last season's World Championship.

Order of play. Tomorrow 1pm: Mark Williams (Wal) v Marcus Cambpell (Sco); Ian McCulloch (Eng) v Mike Dunn (Eng); Dave Harold (Eng) v Ricky Walden (Eng).

Roll on, roll off (matches to immediately follow): Matthew Stevens (Wal) v Alan McManus (Sco); Stephen Lee (Eng) v Judd Trump (Eng); Dominic Dale (Wal) v Adrian Gunnell (Eng)

7.30pm: Steve Davis (Eng) v Liang Wenbo (Chi); Michael Judge (Ire) v Dave Gilbert (Eng).

– NEIL GOULDING