Allen impresses in 24 hour charity challenge ahead of UK Championship bid

IT was raining 147s and even 167s at the weekend when local cue sports stars took park in a 24-hour snooker and pool challenge to raise funds for the family of a friend who passed away tragically.

Mark Allen, Jordan Brown, Robbie McGuigan, Robert McCullough, Kevin McKee, Ronan McCarthey, Alan Corrigan and Gary Clarke were among those in action at Antrim Sports Club on Friday and Saturday.

And fresh from playing for 14 hours and smashing out a litany of maximum and super-maximum breaks on the bounce, Mark Allen was due to begin his UK Snooker Championship campaign on Monday night versus Scott Donaldson.

Pool fanatic and publican Tyler McConnell (37) from Doagh passed away from cancer in November, and the Mark Allen Foundation event aimed to raise money to support his partner Kirsty and three young children Sophia, Reggie and Ronnie.

Scores of local businesses and individuals offered sponsorship and raffle prizes for the event.

The full total raised will be revealed later this week.