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Difference between revisions of "Cillian McMulkin"

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{{octostats|Runner-up|2|944|7}}
 
[[Image:CillianMcMulkin.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cillian McMulkin in [[Series 65]]...]]
 
[[Image:CillianMcMulkin.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cillian McMulkin in [[Series 65]]...]]
 
[[File:Cillian McMulkin.png|thumb|200px|right|...and 12 years later in [[Series 87]].]]
 
[[File:Cillian McMulkin.png|thumb|200px|right|...and 12 years later in [[Series 87]].]]
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'''Cillian McMulkin''' was a [[contestant]] in [[Series 65]] and an [[octochamp]] in [[Series 87|87]]. At the time of his first appearance, he was a risk analyst from {{w|Belfast}}. As of his second appearance, he was living in Omagh, County Tyrone. He has also been an [[Apterous|Apterite]] since 2009 and has achieved a top 20 position in the Apterous pro rank leaderboard.
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'''Cillian McMulkin''' was a [[contestant]] in [[Series 65]] and an [[octochamp]] in and the runner-up of [[Series 87|87]]. He is a risk analyst, originally from Belfast but now of Omagh, County Tyrone. He has been an [[Apterous|Apterite]] since 2009, achieving a top 20 position in the Apterous pro rank leaderboard.
  
 
==Appearances on the programme==
 
==Appearances on the programme==
 +
===[[Series 65]]===
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Debuting midway through [[Jeff Stelling]]'s last series, McMulkin fell 14 points short of victory to eventual [[octochamp]], [[Dave Taylor]], but did have the last word by solving the [[conundrum]].
  
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===Series 65===
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===[[Series 87]] heats===
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However, just under 11 and a half years later and with years of practice on [[Apterous]] now under his belt, he was allowed to return – this time starting his run against seven-time winner [[Peter Burke]] in an all-Ireland affair. McMulkin would not be beaten this time, winning {{score|66|107|Episode 7939}} to deny Burke's [[octochamp]]dom and kick off with a [[century]]. He followed this with seven more sensational performances, which were also all centuries.
  
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Debuting midway through [[Jeff Stelling]]'s last series, McMulkin fell 14 points short of victory to would-be [[octochamp]] [[Dave Taylor]], but did have the last word by solving the [[conundrum]].  
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Of particular note, in his fifth victory, McMulkin equalled the current record for the highest-ever score of [[Episode 7943|154]], sharing it with [[Tom Stevenson]]. Spots of {{word|CARBONITE}}, {{word|MOLESTING}} and {{word|MALIGNERS}} helped to rack up that score, with only the word {{word|GUNMETAL}} eluding him to deny a [[max game]]. His [[Episode 7945|seventh game]] also tied for the highest possible score ever recorded in a game of ''[[Countdown]]'', matching the 175 of episodes [[Episode 6745|6745]] and [[Episode 7341|7341]], with McMulkin spotting {{word|SENHORITA}} and {{word|SUBALPINE}} as two of the five available nine-letter words in that heat.  
  
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===Series 87===
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After his [[Episode 7946|last game]], which saw him spot a seventh nine {{word|SIGNATURE}} and drop only one point for the second time in his heats, McMulkin secured octochampdom with a total of 944 points to become the first one of the series and of 2023 – this also made him the 30th member of the [[800 club|900 club]]. McMulkin qualified to return for the series finals in June and notably remained the only octochamp of the series until late May, when [[Ronan Higginson]] became the second, which itself was a 13-year record low.
  
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However, just under 11 and a half years later and years of practice on [[Apterous]], he was allowed to return; this time starting his run against seven-time winner [[Peter Burke]] in an all-Ireland affair. McMulkin would not be beaten this time, winning {{score|66|107}} to deny Burke's octochampdom and kick off with a [[century]]. In his fifth victory, McMulkin equalled the current record for the highest-ever score of 154, sharing it with [[Tom Stevenson]], and dropped 1 point with only {{word|GUNMETAL}} eluding him. His seventh game also tied for the highest possible score ever recorded in a game of ''Countdown'', matching the 175 of [[Episode 6745]] and [[Episode 7341]]. Eventually, after dropping only 1 point in his last game, McMulkin wrapped up with a total of 944 points to become the first octochamp of the series and of 2023, and will almost certainly return for the series finals in June.
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===Finals===
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Qualifying for the finals as the second seed, McMulkin returned for a [[Episode 8045|quarter-final]] against fellow [[Apterous|Apterite]], [[Dave Cappleman]], where he got off to an instant flier by spotting {{word|RANTOONES}} for nine in Round 1 to take an 18-point lead. Despite Cappleman closing the gap after a misfire of {{word|scampie {{x}}}} from McMulkin, and an excellent spot of {{word|GOODLIER}} from Cappleman, McMulkin eventually put his foot back on the gas, with {{word|EUCRITES}} in Round 13 confirming his victory and advancement to the [[Episode 8049|semi-finals]], despite neither player being able to solve the [[conundrum]]. In his [[rematch]] with [[Peter Burke]], despite an early stumble, McMulkin eventually roared to victory thanks in part to the spots of {{word|DEMONICAL}}, {{word|EPISTERNA}} and {{word|RADICULES}} to record his tenth consecutive [[century]] and storm into the [[Episode 8050|grand final]] where [[Ronan Higginson]] lay in waiting for him in a hotly anticipated matchup.
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In the grand final, McMulkin and Higginson started immediately with a spot of {{word|IGNORABLE}} for nine in the first round. However, after some unfortunate misfires from McMulkin on {{word|aluroids {{x}}}} and {{word|quandries {{x}}}}, along with quality spots like {{word|MAPWISE}}, {{word|ODALISK}} and {{word|PECORAITE}} from Higginson, as well as superior [[numbers game|numbers]] play, Higginson eventually raced away to win the series with 150 points while McMulkin took the runner-up spot with 83 points, his lowest score on the show to date. McMulkin amassed an overall total of 1,258 points in Series 87, and with his earlier appearance, his overall total is 1,343 points from 12 games.
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{{series runner-up|preceded_by=Edward Byrne|series=87}}
  
 
==Episodes==
 
==Episodes==
 
{{episode table}}
 
{{episode table}}
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{{ep | 5321 | 31/08/2011 | P |[[Dave Taylor]]| 99 - 85 |Cillian McMulkin|[[John Inverdale]]|[[Susie Dent]]|143}}
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{{ep | 5321 | 31/08/2011 | P |[[Dave Taylor]]|99 - 85|Cillian McMulkin|[[John Inverdale]]|[[Susie Dent]]|143}}
 
{{ep | 7939 | 25/01/2023 | P |[[Peter Burke]]|66 – 107|Cillian McMulkin|[[Stephen K Amos|Stephen K. Amos]]|Susie Dent|134}}
 
{{ep | 7939 | 25/01/2023 | P |[[Peter Burke]]|66 – 107|Cillian McMulkin|[[Stephen K Amos|Stephen K. Amos]]|Susie Dent|134}}
 
{{ep | 7940 | 26/01/2023 | P |Cillian McMulkin|109 – 51|[[Cheryl Perkins]]|Stephen K. Amos|Susie Dent|130}}
 
{{ep | 7940 | 26/01/2023 | P |Cillian McMulkin|109 – 51|[[Cheryl Perkins]]|Stephen K. Amos|Susie Dent|130}}
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{{ep | 7945 | 02/02/2023 | P |Cillian McMulkin|116 – 33|[[Ron Squire]]|Justin Moorhouse|Susie Dent|175}}
 
{{ep | 7945 | 02/02/2023 | P |Cillian McMulkin|116 – 33|[[Ron Squire]]|Justin Moorhouse|Susie Dent|175}}
 
{{ep | 7946 | 03/02/2023 | P |Cillian McMulkin|121 – 35|[[Alison Adams]]|Justin Moorhouse|Susie Dent|122}}
 
{{ep | 7946 | 03/02/2023 | P |Cillian McMulkin|121 – 35|[[Alison Adams]]|Justin Moorhouse|Susie Dent|122}}
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{{ep | 8045 | 22/06/2023 | QF |Cillian McMulkin|109 – 81|[[Dave Cappleman]]|[[Marcus Brigstocke]]|Susie Dent|137}}
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{{ep | 8049 | 28/06/2023 | SF |Cillian McMulkin|122 – 41|Peter Burke|[[Maggie Aderin-Pocock]]|Susie Dent|153}}
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{{ep | 8050 | 29/06/2023 | GF |[[Ronan Higginson]]|150 – 83|Cillian McMulkin|Maggie Aderin-Pocock|Susie Dent|155}}
 
{{episode table end}}
 
{{episode table end}}
  
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:McMulkin, Cillian}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:McMulkin, Cillian}}
 
[[Category:Contestants in Series 65]]
 
[[Category:Contestants in Series 65]]
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[[Category:Returning Contestants]]
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[[Category:Returning contestants]]
 
[[Category:Contestants in Series 87]]
 
[[Category:Contestants in Series 87]]
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[[Category:Finalists]]
 
[[Category:Teapot owners]]
 
[[Category:Teapot owners]]
 
[[Category:Octochamps of the 15 round era]]
 
[[Category:Octochamps of the 15 round era]]

Latest revision as of 23:44, 17 January 2024

Cillian McMulkin
Octochamp Statistics
Final positionRunner-up
Seeding2
Points total944
Conundrums solved7
Cillian McMulkin in Series 65...
...and 12 years later in Series 87.

Cillian McMulkin was a contestant in Series 65 and an octochamp in and the runner-up of 87. He is a risk analyst, originally from Belfast but now of Omagh, County Tyrone. He has been an Apterite since 2009, achieving a top 20 position in the Apterous pro rank leaderboard.

Appearances on the programme

Series 65

Debuting midway through Jeff Stelling's last series, McMulkin fell 14 points short of victory to eventual octochamp, Dave Taylor, but did have the last word by solving the conundrum.

Series 87 heats

However, just under 11 and a half years later and with years of practice on Apterous now under his belt, he was allowed to return – this time starting his run against seven-time winner Peter Burke in an all-Ireland affair. McMulkin would not be beaten this time, winning 66 – 107 to deny Burke's octochampdom and kick off with a century. He followed this with seven more sensational performances, which were also all centuries.

Of particular note, in his fifth victory, McMulkin equalled the current record for the highest-ever score of 154, sharing it with Tom Stevenson. Spots of CARBONITE, MOLESTING and MALIGNERS helped to rack up that score, with only the word GUNMETAL eluding him to deny a max game. His seventh game also tied for the highest possible score ever recorded in a game of Countdown, matching the 175 of episodes 6745 and 7341, with McMulkin spotting SENHORITA and SUBALPINE as two of the five available nine-letter words in that heat.

After his last game, which saw him spot a seventh nine SIGNATURE and drop only one point for the second time in his heats, McMulkin secured octochampdom with a total of 944 points to become the first one of the series and of 2023 – this also made him the 30th member of the 900 club. McMulkin qualified to return for the series finals in June and notably remained the only octochamp of the series until late May, when Ronan Higginson became the second, which itself was a 13-year record low.

Finals

Qualifying for the finals as the second seed, McMulkin returned for a quarter-final against fellow Apterite, Dave Cappleman, where he got off to an instant flier by spotting RANTOONES for nine in Round 1 to take an 18-point lead. Despite Cappleman closing the gap after a misfire of scampie ☓ from McMulkin, and an excellent spot of GOODLIER from Cappleman, McMulkin eventually put his foot back on the gas, with EUCRITES in Round 13 confirming his victory and advancement to the semi-finals, despite neither player being able to solve the conundrum. In his rematch with Peter Burke, despite an early stumble, McMulkin eventually roared to victory thanks in part to the spots of DEMONICAL, EPISTERNA and RADICULES to record his tenth consecutive century and storm into the grand final where Ronan Higginson lay in waiting for him in a hotly anticipated matchup.

In the grand final, McMulkin and Higginson started immediately with a spot of IGNORABLE for nine in the first round. However, after some unfortunate misfires from McMulkin on aluroids ☓ and quandries ☓, along with quality spots like MAPWISE, ODALISK and PECORAITE from Higginson, as well as superior numbers play, Higginson eventually raced away to win the series with 150 points while McMulkin took the runner-up spot with 83 points, his lowest score on the show to date. McMulkin amassed an overall total of 1,258 points in Series 87, and with his earlier appearance, his overall total is 1,343 points from 12 games.

Preceded by
Edward Byrne		 Series runner-up
Series 87

Episodes

# Date Type Contestant 1 Score Contestant 2 Presenters Guest Lex Max
5321 31/08/2011 P Dave Taylor 99 – 85 Cillian McMulkin Jeff Stelling Rachel Riley John Inverdale Susie Dent 143
7939 25/01/2023 P Peter Burke 66 – 107 Cillian McMulkin Colin Murray Rachel Riley Stephen K. Amos Susie Dent 134
7940 26/01/2023 P Cillian McMulkin 109 – 51 Cheryl Perkins Colin Murray Rachel Riley Stephen K. Amos Susie Dent 130
7941 27/01/2023 P Cillian McMulkin 124 – 43 Amy Perryman Colin Murray Rachel Riley Stephen K. Amos Susie Dent 135
7942 30/01/2023 P Cillian McMulkin 101 – 61 Toby Rogers Colin Murray Rachel Riley Justin Moorhouse Susie Dent 121
7943 31/01/2023 P Cillian McMulkin 154 – 69 Chris Davies Colin Murray Rachel Riley Justin Moorhouse Susie Dent 155
7944 01/02/2023 P Cillian McMulkin 112 – 45 Jon Sluckis Colin Murray Rachel Riley Justin Moorhouse Susie Dent 124
7945 02/02/2023 P Cillian McMulkin 116 – 33 Ron Squire Colin Murray Rachel Riley Justin Moorhouse Susie Dent 175
7946 03/02/2023 P Cillian McMulkin 121 – 35 Alison Adams Colin Murray Rachel Riley Justin Moorhouse Susie Dent 122
8045 22/06/2023 QF Cillian McMulkin 109 – 81 Dave Cappleman Colin Murray Rachel Riley Marcus Brigstocke Susie Dent 137
8049 28/06/2023 SF Cillian McMulkin 122 – 41 Peter Burke Colin Murray Rachel Riley Maggie Aderin-Pocock Susie Dent 153
8050 29/06/2023 GF Ronan Higginson 150 – 83 Cillian McMulkin Colin Murray Rachel Riley Maggie Aderin-Pocock Susie Dent 155
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