Noel Furlong, the winner of the 1999 World Series of Poker Main event, businessman and horse trainer passed away on Sunday according to the Irish Times. He was 83 years old and “died peacefully at home” of natural causes.
The poker career of Noel Furlong
As one might expect, 1999’s WSOP Main Event was the highlight of Furlong’s poker career, winning a $1 million prize in addition to the prized bracelet. In the path to the victory, he defeated some of poker’s best of all time including Huck Seed, Erik Seidel, Padraig Parkinson, and Alan Goehring.
His age at the time of the victory was 62, making him the second-oldest player to win the event behind only Johnny Moss, who won three times over 60 years of age including the 1974 title at 66. He is also the only Irish player ever to win the WSOP Main Event.
Very sorry to hear that as well – here are a couple of vintage low-resolution images of you and Noel from the 1999 ME final table. Still watch it a couple of times a year. pic.twitter.com/t37mVc2UON
— JD Terhart (@jdterhart) June 29, 2021
But that wasn’t all that Furlong accomplished on the felt. Furlong amassed $1,145,806 in live tournament winnings, according to the Hendon Mob. In addition to winning the title in 1999, he also had another final table appearance during the same year, a 7th place showing in the $3,500 buy-in No Limit Hold’em event.
The victory in the Main Event also wasn’t the only time that Furlong tasted success in poker’s biggest annual tournament. Ten years earlier he made the final table in the 1989 WSOP Main Event, finishing in 6th place for $52,850. Phil Hellmuth famously went on to win his first WSOP bracelet in the event when he went heads-up against Johnny Chan.
Furlong was also a two-time winner of the Irish Poker Open, winning the event in 1987 and 1989. His last tournament cash came during the Irish Poker Open in 2011 when he finished 32nd in the € 3,500 buy-in tournament for a €9,400 prize.
Poker world reacts to the passing of Noel Furlong
After learning of Furlong’s passing many in the poker community shared their thoughts about the man, including from fellow Irishman and 1999 WSOP Main Event final tablist Padraig Parkinson as well as the Twitter account for the Irish Poker Open.
A gentleman of the game Noel Furlong has passed away at 83. TWO time Irish Open Champion in 1987 and 1989 and WSOP Champion in 1999. He was successful in business, poker and life. May he Rest in Peace.
— Irish Open (@Irish_PokerOpen) June 30, 2021
Great outpouring of respect for Noel Furlong. From Ireland ,the UK, Europe and the USA. I have called and been called by a generation of Irish poker legends. ODea,McKeever, Doherty ,Gray,Black.Lots of stories,even more laughter.But also an acceptance there is more than one way
— Padraig Parkinson (@padraigpoker) June 30, 2021
My favorite Noel Furlong story is about poker, it’s the hand that won him the World Series of Poker in 1999. pic.twitter.com/w0kgxWsCHr
— Jesse May (@ScurrilousMay) June 29, 2021
Rest in peace Grandad, you absolute legend ❤️ I’ve never met someone with quite as many achievements as you or someone with a sense of humour quite like yours, truly unforgettable. Thank you for the many laughs. Love always, your very proud granddaughter x #noelfurlong pic.twitter.com/haP30Yo2uj
— Natalia Furlong (@Natalia_Furlong) June 30, 2021
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