Mark Selby

Northern Ireland's Mark Allen. (Photo by Nigel French/PA Wire)

WATCH: Mark Allen's early Shanghai Masters final-frame exit in marathon meeting

Mark Allen. PIC: Steven Paston/PA Wire.

Mark Allen to start World Snooker Championship title bid against Robbie Williams

Mark Allen has reached the semi-final of the World Masters of Snooker following a 4-3 win over Mark Selby in Saudi Arabia

Mark Allen defeats Mark Selby in epic final frame decider in Saudi Arabia

Northern Ireland's Mark Allen. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Mark Allen in running for Saudi Arabia's 'Golden Ball' 167 break

Northern Ireland's Mark Allen has sealed his place in the final of the Players Championship

Mark Allen beats Ali Carter to reach Players Championship final in Telford

Northern Ireland's Mark Allen has sealed his place in the semi-finals of the Players Championship

Mark Allen into semi-finals of Players Championship in Telford

Northern Ireland's Mark Allen lost 6-3 in his semi-final against Ali Cater at the Masters

Mark Allen 'beaten by better player' in Masters semi-final

Mark Allen before potting the black and making a 147 in his quarter final match against Mark Selby (not in picture) during day six of the MrQ Masters at Alexandra Palace, London. PIC: Steven Paston/PA Wire.

Mark Allen produces second maximum of the Masters in narrow win over Mark Selby

Mark Allen in action against John Higgins during day four of the MrQ Masters at Alexandra Palace, London.

Mark Allen books place in Masters quarter-finals after edging out John Higgins

Mark Allen will face John Higgins in the semi-final of the Champion of Champions event on Saturday

Mark Allen and John Higgins to meet in Champion of Champions semi-final

Northern Ireland's Mark Allen has apologised after criticising the World Snooker Tour

Mark Allen apologises over World Snooker comments

Mark Selby (right) plays a shot as Mark Allen watches on during their semi-final clash at the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible on Friday.

Stephen Hendry blasts Mark Allen and Mark Selby's tactics at Crucible

Mark Allen in action against Mark Selby

Mark Allen takes World Championship semi-final lead over Mark Selby

Ronnie O'Sullivan bids for a record eighth title of the modern era while in-form Mark Allen attempts to break a desperate Crucible run as the World Snooker Championship returns to Sheffield on Saturday.

Mark Allen drawn against Fan Zhengyi in first round of World Championship

Jimmy White is confident of making the World Championship finals at the Crucible this year.

Jimmy White full of belief he will qualify for World Snooker Championship

Jordan Brown

Snooker ace Jordan Brown feels 'privileged' to be fulfilling his childhood dream

Antrim cueist Jordan Brown believes he has what it takes to win 'multiple tournaments' ahead of this week's Welsh Open.

Johnny McNabb

Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen is through to the quarter-finals of the English Open in Brentwood.

Mark Allen remains in contention for English Open title

Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen was beaten 5-0 in German Masters qualifying in a shock result.

Mark Allen in shock defeat against Chinese amateur in German Masters qualifying

Defending champion Mark Allen

O’Sullivan heads stars cueing for Belfast glory

Christopher Clifford practising ahead of the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open, which takes place in the Waterfront Hall later this month. Picture George Sweeney.

Christopher Clifford ready to take on world snooker greats such as Ronnie O'Sull...

Antrim's Jordan Brown

From petrol station to snooker glory for Antrim Ferrari Jordan Brown

Antrim's Jordan Brown.

Surprise package Jordan Brown seals place in Welsh Open quarter-finals

Mark Selby of England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images).

Flashback: Mark Selby sees off Ronnie O’Sullivan in thrilling final to win UK Ch...

Northern Ireland's Mark Allen.

Mark Allen hails his ‘bottle’ after withstanding Shaun Murphy onslaught in Coral...

File photo dated 25-04-2017 of Ronnie O'Sullivan. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday December 14, 2017. As another dramatic sporting year comes to a close, Press Association Sport looks at the some of the most memorable quotes from 2017. "Now that the tour has opened up and anyone can play, we have to go through the numpty phase." - Ronnie O'Sullivan endeared himself to snooker's lower-ranked players. See PA story SPORT Christmas Quotes. Photo credit should read Simon Cooper/PA Wire.

Ronnie O'Sullivan: '˜I just felt lucky I won'

Joe Swail

Joe Swail last '˜local' to exit Northern Ireland Open

Antrim's Mark Allen.

SNOOKER: Mark Allen books place in Crucible quarter-finals

Northern Ireland's Mark Allen booked his place in the quarter-finals of the Betfred World Championship with a 13-8 victory over Joe Perry.

By The Newsroom

Mark Allen during his match against against Joe Perry

SNOOKER: Mark Allen going well in round two at World Championships

Mark Allen

Mark Allen well placed in opening round match at World Championships

Northern Ireland's Mark Allen.

SNOOKER: Mark Allen's World Championship status secure

Mark Allen

SNOOKER: Mark Allen into final of International Championship in China

Mark Allen

SNOOKER: Mark Allen faces qualifier Jimmy Robertson in opening round of World Ch...

Mark Selby celebrates with the trophy after beating Ding Junhui in the final

SNOOKER: Mark Selby is the champion of the world after Crucible win

Mark Allen shakes hands with Kyren Wilson after losing at the World Championships

Mark Allen crashes out of World snooker championships

Mark Allen

SNOOKER: Mark Allen progresses to Welsh Open quarter-finals

Mark Allen chalks his cue during his match against Barry Hawkins.

SNOOKER: Mark Allen knocked out of Masters