A west Belfast man has been chosen to represent Ireland in the finals of a worldwide computer gaming competition.

Pádraig O'Hara earned a place on Team Ireland 2008 for the World Cyber Games after emerging as one of the top competitors at a Dublin event to choose the team.

The 24-year-old from Andersonstown was confirmed as Ireland's leading ‘Warcraft 3' gamer after competing in this month’s Irish finals, and will play the same game at the competition — which claims to be the “world's first cyber game festival”.

He said: “I don't normally play the game but gave it a go and luckily I got through.”

Pádraig – and six others competitors — defeated rivals from the best of Irish gaming talent to secure his place on the team for the festival in Germany.

He is pleased about getting a place on the team. “I just hope I do my best,” he said.

A number of gamers from Falls Road gaming centre Progressive Online Network Gaming (P.O.N.G.), where Pádraig is a manager, travelled to Dublin to take part in the eircom-sponsored event.

Gamers from over 70 countries will compete at the games in Cologne, from November 5-9.