Some {couples} dream of holidays or fancy dinners, however for Matthew and Sinéad Davenport, it is all about chasing poker glory collectively.
Matthew, a seasoned professional with years of success beneath his belt, and Sinéad, a former nurse who embraced poker full-time in 2024, are an influence couple within the UK poker scene who took the final 12 months by storm.
Banner 12 months for the Davenports
Each Davenports had their finest 12 months but on the dwell felt. Matthew added $448,639 to his Hendon Mob earnings, surpassing the $2 million mark, whereas Sinéad’s $241,834 in payouts in 2024 and $29,460 in cashes already in 2025 introduced her Hendon Mob whole to $391,712.
As a duo, they’ve change into an much more formidable drive on the tables, with their poker journey taking them across the globe. Nonetheless, nearly all of their play occurs on house turf, grinding it out on the Grosvenor United Kingdom Poker Tour (GUKPT) and 888poker’s UK Poker League (UKPL).
Matthew was the standout performer on these excursions in 2024, topping each the GUKPT Nationwide Poker League (NPL) and the UKPL leaderboard.
Sinéad, in the meantime, made historical past of her personal, changing into the primary lady to complete within the NPL’s prime ten. She additionally got here shut to creating historical past within the GUKPT Foremost Occasion, ending a powerful sixth within the £1,100 Blackpool Foremost Occasion,simply shy of changing into the primary lady to win a GUKPT Foremost Occasion title.
Sinéad’s breakout 12 months continued with a number of standout moments. She completed third within the Women Championship on the WPT World Championship, incomes $45,803. Earlier in 2024, Sinéad bagged her first main trophy, successful the UKPL Luton Opening Voyage occasion and turned £250 into £17,865. She secured sixth place within the $600 Championship on the Golden Nugget Grand Poker Sequence in Las Vegas, pocketing $31,635. Again on UK soil, she had a powerful exhibiting on the latest GUKPT Coventry, ending second in The Opener, taking house £22,080 (about $27,403).
Matthew’s NPL victory marked his second triumph, the primary coming two years earlier. His reward? A return to Crew Grosvenor, securing a £75,000 sponsorship bundle. His prime efficiency on the UKPL leaderboard additionally earned him $10,000 in 888poker LIVE packages, loads of buy-ins already sorted for 2025.
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Sinéad Produces Heroics Off the Felt
Regardless of leaving nursing behind to pursue her ardour for poker, Sinéad’s instincts as a former nurse have by no means left her.
“We have been simply sitting there taking part in playing cards, after which instantly, all hell broke unfastened.”
Final summer season, whereas on a poker journey to Las Vegas, these instincts kicked in as soon as once more, however this time, it wasn’t at a poker desk, it was 35,000 ft within the air.
On the flight to Sin Metropolis, a passenger instantly started choking. With out hesitation, Sinéad sprang into motion and was first on the scene. She cleared the particular person’s airway, stopping a possible catastrophe mid-flight. Her swift response undoubtedly saved a life that day.
“We have been simply sitting there taking part in playing cards, after which instantly, all hell broke unfastened. Individuals have been screaming for assist,” Sinéad recalled. “If you’ve labored in nursing, the distinction between somebody needing assist and somebody needing assist proper now. I regarded over and noticed this man, and he was gray.
“All of the medical tools the flight had was damaged.”
“He had vomit throughout him and wasn’t responding. I simply jumped over folks to get to him and bought others to assist me lay him on the ground. A few chest compressions cleared his airway, and I might see he was beginning to come again round.
“Nevertheless it wasn’t simple. There have been a few docs on board, which was good, however all of the medical tools the flight had was damaged, an absolute nightmare. We bought him steady, however then, two hours later, it occurred once more.
“I stored taking a look at my husband, and he was simply shaking his head like, ‘There’s no means we will land, we’re in the midst of nowhere.’ It was a little bit of a nightmare. However ultimately, the man was okay, and that’s what mattered.”
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Sinéad on Embracing the Journey
2024 was a very transformative 12 months for Sinéad. After leaving nursing to pursue poker full-time, she embraced a brand new sort of freedom. The liberty to journey, play as a lot as she needed, and deal with her development as a participant. She performed over 300 tournaments that 12 months, and the sheer quantity taught her a lot. Nevertheless it wasn’t simply in regards to the fingers she performed, it was the liberty to compete with out worrying about bankrolls or anything that made all of the distinction.
In fact, the journey wasn’t with out its challenges. Sinéad and her husband caught primarily to the Grosvenor Poker Tour in England, however they made time to journey to locations like Cyprus and Las Vegas. Nonetheless, they have been craving extra. “We actually needed to unfold our wings and play poker in additional locations,” she mentioned. There was a way of pleasure about what was to come back, and Sinéad was desperate to discover much more of the world whereas doing what she beloved.
An enormous a part of her success that 12 months got here from having her husband by her aspect. He understood the grind like nobody else, which was big for Sinéad, particularly throughout powerful occasions. When issues weren’t going her means, it was simple to get annoyed, however her husband all the time knew learn how to calm her down. “He stored me sane,” she laughed. “He reassured me that we have been on the best path and that issues would flip round ultimately. Our time would come.”
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Could not Be Prouder
Earlier than tying the knot in August 2024, Matthew and Sinéad’s poker journey started in probably the most becoming means doable: over a poker desk. “We really met whereas I used to be taking part in in a event,” Matthew mentioned with a smile. “I busted Sinéad out of the event in Luton, and that was it, she grew to become a part of my life from there. I believe you may say the remainder is historical past.”
Since then, they’ve not solely change into inseparable in life but additionally an extremely profitable poker duo. “It’s simply wonderful to have her by my aspect,” Matthew added. “She’s extremely proficient, and I’m so happy with the whole lot she’s completed, particularly this 12 months. She’s bought this sixth sense for the sport, she’s improbable at studying folks, making unimaginable hero calls, and understanding when to make massive folds. Her instincts are spot on, and she or he’s been so humble about it, however she deserves all the popularity.”
Whereas Matthew has all the time supported Sinéad’s success, she has been equally supportive of his. “She’s been my absolute rock this 12 months,” Matthew mentioned. “I couldn’t have completed it with out her. We’ve confronted a number of challenges collectively, and having her by my aspect by way of all of it, particularly in the course of the grind of the Nationwide Poker League, made all of the distinction.”
After reaching his private milestone of $2 million in profession earnings, Matthew is equally enthusiastic about his return to Crew Grosvenor. “Being again on the staff is simply unimaginable. Grosvenor has all the time been my favourite, and I’m proud to characterize them once more,” he mentioned. “I’m wanting ahead to carrying the patch as soon as extra and doing the whole lot I can to carry extra outcomes and promote the model internationally. It’s an honor, and I’m actually grateful for the chance.”
Being a part of Crew Grosvenor is greater than only a sponsorship to Matthew; it’s a supply of delight. “It’s one thing I’ve all the time needed,” he added. “I’m excited to proceed pushing ahead, and having Sinéad by my aspect by way of all of it makes it much more particular.”
Calum Grant
Senior Editor & Dwell Occasions Govt
