Dave Brennan has been crowned the KKPT Mayo champion for €4,000, just a year after suffering from a life-threatening illness.

The KKPT headed to Mayo for stop 5 of the inaugural season. The €10,000 GTD was once again smashed after 112 entries created a battle for a share of the €14,000 prize pool.

The event was another great success for the KKPT, but the real story to come out of Mayo was one of determination and bravery by the winner. 

In October 2023, Dave, a well-known rugby player and carpenter from Ballyglass, went about a typical day’s work when he was unexpectedly taken ill with chest pains. 

As reported in the MayoLive, Dave composed himself and continued driving, but the pains persisted, resulting in having to stop the vehicle to seek help. Luckily, he was seen by a first-aid-trained neighbour who assisted Dave and ensured he safely got to the hospital. 

Dave had suffered from a stroke, a genetic undiagnosed atrial fibrillation, and needed helicopter assistance to ensure he received urgent care. As Dave is a non-smoker and non-drinker, it was a complete shock to his family and the local community who had gathered at the church to pray. 

Miraculously, Dave was able to recover, which included daily speech, language, and physio sessions. 

With physical sports like rugby still on hold, Dave turned to his passion for poker to fill his competitive edge as he continued his recovery. After winning the KKPT Mayo, Dave said:

“I am feeling great after my win. I didn’t expect to make it to the final table, never mind win the trophy! 

“I started playing poker in home games with friends, and for the past 10 years I’ve played every Friday night in The Shebeen in Balla with an average of 8 or 9 players, so to win a game with over 100 entries was very unexpected!

“Poker has played a big part in my recovery since my illness as I’m unable to play rugby, but poker gets me out meeting people and keeps my mind working. My family encouraged me to go back to playing after my illness. It has also really helped my speech too, since I’m talking to so many different people every time I’m at the poker table. 

“I have found that everyone has great patience at the poker table, as sometimes I get stuck with what I’m trying to say or the amount I’m attempting to bet, but they give me a chance to get my words out correctly.” 

Dave’s achievement demonstrates his determination to ensure his illness does not prevent him from enjoying his hobbies, and he can use poker to speed up his recovery further. But what was his biggest challenge throughout the tournament? 

“My biggest challenge of the day was staying awake! ha

“I had to stay focused as everyone there was a very high-standard poker player. Since my illness, I haven’t played a game of poker for that length of time, so I found it very intense but very enjoyable.

“The most memorable hand was against James ‘Mad Dog’ O’Donnell when it was down to 2 tables. He had 22 and I had AK, and his pocket pair held up. I lost a big chunk of my stack in that hand and thought my luck had run out, but we ended up fighting it out heads-up for the win, and I managed to get the better of him for once!”

Dave alongside runner-up James ‘Mad Dog’ O’Donnell

It was the first KKPT event for Dave, so we are delighted to hear how our community-focused events proudly provided an opportunity for him to be around his peers. As the champion, he also won a €300 ticket to the €100,000 GTD KKPT Final: Dublin from 26 – 30 March. 

“I hope to attend the Dublin final in March if all is going well. I have never played in a tournament like that, so I’m not sure how I will prepare. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and hope for the best!

A huge congratulations once again to Dave, and all the KKPoker team wishes him well on his continued recovery, and we hope to see him in Dublin!

KKPT MAYO RESULTS

1	David Brennan	€4,000
2	James “Mad Dog” O’Donnell	€2,600
3	Alan Rumley	€1,600
4	James Grogan	€1,200
5	Ryan Hennigan	€1,000
6	Richy Duffy	€800
7	Michael Collum	€700
8	Padraig O’Donnell	€800
9	Wayne Tierney	€500
10	Alan Maguire	€400
11	Colin Tempiney	€ 300
12	Johnny Devaney	€300
13	Kenneth Lowelle	€200

NEXT STOP CAVAN

Become our next champion! The KKPT is heading to the Bailie Hotel in Cavan on Saturday 1 March!

€10,000 GTD prize pool with a €150 buy-in. 

Qualify online for just $5 on select evenings at 20:00 GMT

KKPT DUBLIN FINAL

The final event of the KKPT Ireland will take place at the Dublin Poker Club between 26-30 March 2025 with a boosted €100,000 prize pool and €300 buy-in.

Join the online satellites in March 2025 to earn your ticket for just $15!