 Having competed for another several seasons as an amateur, Delaney reached the final of a Challenge Tour event in 2003, defeating Paul McPhillips and Joe Jogia alongside five others, before losing 3–6 to Lee Spick.This performance was not enough for him to re-qualify, but the following season heralded runs to the last 16 at another Challenge Tour event - losing 1–5 to Cypriot Mehmet Husnu - and the fifth qualifying round at the 2003 World Championship, where Gary Hardiman beat him 5–3.These results did earn Delaney a place on the main tour for the 2003/2004 season.