Allen gets ready for his big break
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Mark Allen: back home at the Waterfront for the Northern Ireland Trophy from August 24-31.
MARK Allen is aiming for success at the business end of snooker's biggest tournaments as he looks ahead to the Northern Ireland Trophy, which begins this Sunday (August 24)
The brilliant young potter, who has returned to Antrim to live full time, has flown up the rankings since turning professional three years ago, and starts the new season among the world's top 16 for the first time.
But Allen's rise has been achieved through consistency rather than making an impact in the latter stages of tournaments.
He has reached just one ranking event semi-final - that was at last year's Northern Ireland Trophy at the Belfast Waterfront, when he was denied a place in the final by Fergal O'Brien.
“That's been the really disappointing thing for me in my first three years on the circuit. I've made progress in the rankings without really competing for tournaments," said the 22-year-old former World Amateur Champion.
“Now I'm in the top 16, I need to be competing for tournaments regularly. This is a big season for me and that will make me concentrate even more. I want to do well for myself, but also for the supporters that come and watch me. And there's no better place to do it than at the Northern Ireland Trophy."
Last season finished in heart-break for Allen when he lost 10-9 to Stephen Hendry in the first round at the Crucible, after letting slip a golden chance to win the match when he led 9-8.
“Anyone who saw me in interviews after that match could see I was very, very disappointed," he added. "Not because I lost, but because of the way I lost. I felt I'd played the better snooker over the whole match and deserved to win."
Allen now has the chance to put that result behind him when he plays his opening match in the first ranking event of the year, the Northern Ireland Trophy, on Tuesday, August 26 at 7.30pm.
Coming back after snooker's close season can be difficult to find your rhythm though, something the young Antrim man isn't too worried about.
Speaking about his pre-season preparation, Mark said: "So far so good, I've been practising for about five weeks now and I feel my game is nearly where I want it to be."
Mark, who now has his own table set up in the Fountain Snooker Club in Antrim, practises on a regular basis with fellow snooker ace, Joe Swail.
“It is really good for both of us to get the hours on the table. He comes down here or I go up to Belfast on occasion."
This year the young Antrim cue man has set himself the target of breaking into the world's top eight and becoming a more regular fixture at the latter stages of big tournaments.
To do that though Mark must focus on his next match, which depending on the outcome of qualifiers could be Welsh man Dominic Dale in the first round at the Waterfront
“It would be a tough match but one I am looking forward to. There are no easy matches in snooker anymore," said Mark.
