Emotional Allen contemplates retirement following NI Open exit

An emotional Mark Allen said retiring from snooker is "something I have been contemplating for a while" following his first-round loss to Jordan Brown in the Northern Ireland Open.

Allen was beaten 4-2 by fellow Antrim man Brown in his first event since losing to Wu Yize in heartbreaking fashion in the semi-finals of the World Championship in Sheffield in May.

The former world number one said showing up to play his match against Brown was an "achievement" after a "really difficult" period in his life while he took a break from competitive action.

"I think if I hadn't have been playing Jordan, I probably would not have played," Allen told BBC Sport NI after his defeat at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

"I felt like I did not want my last match to be remembered for that semi-final in Sheffield.

"I thought it would be a bit of nostalgia to go out playing Jordan in the Waterfront where it all started in 2005 and that would be a more fitting end if I do call it a day."

Asked if he is considering drawing the curtain on his career, he replied: "Yeah."

The 40-year-old has had a decorated career, winning 12 ranking tournaments including the 2022 UK Championship since he turned professional in 2005.

This year has been a challenging one for Allen, after he missed a match-winning black in the semi-final against Wu in May during the penultimate frame that would have taken him into his first World Championship final.

Allen went on to lose the final frame against eventual champion Wu and has since been a notable absentee from the World Snooker Tour circuit.

"The last three months have been really, really difficult and I think even just being here today is an achievement," added Allen.

"For me, today was not about the result or the performance, it was trying to enjoy the experience of playing one of my best mates in one of my favourite arenas, in one of my favourite tournaments.

"I am not going to announce it [retirement] right now after a defeat but it is something I have been contemplating for a while and something needs to change within the next six weeks before the UK Championship for me to show up and I need to work hard on myself in the next few weeks and see what is around the corner."

Jordan Brown said he hopes to see Mark Allen remain in snooker

Allen received a warm response from his home crowd as he returned to the venue where he became back-to-back champion in 2021 and 2022.

It was clear the respect that both players had for each other following the match with Allen adding he "wished Jordan well, I always do".

The world number 65 said the win was "the least satisfying" he has ever had as he progressed to the last 32 to face Michael Holt.

"It is overwhelming for Mark here with his family, friends and all the fans who have paid good money to see him play," said Brown.

"It is very difficult. I have my own battles to go through. I am in a precarious place in the rankings, and I lost my mum recently. It just puts everything into perspective.

"The general public seem to think we are just robots who just turn up to pot a few balls, it is not like that at all."

Matches between Brown and Allen have always been close contests, with Tuesday's win the 39-year-old's first victory over his close friend.

"I really hope so," Brown replied when asked if he thought Allen would reconsider retiring.

"The first words I said to him today was it was great to see him back and we had a big cuddle. It is tough to see him going through that.

"I have no doubt he will come back. Snooker is his love, he is absolutely brilliant and he is a top bloke, I wish him all the best."

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