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Mark Allen has hinted that his five-month hiatus from the World Snooker Tour could be coming to an end. The Northern Irishman last competed in a tournament at the World Championship, suffering heartbreak in the semi-final against Wu Yize. Allen had been on the verge of reaching the final, but missed a match-winning black in gut-wrenching fashion. Allen admitted the miss still haunted him a month after the semi-final, but it still remains one of his final actions on a professional snooker table, as he hasn’t been seen since.
That could be about to change, though, with suggestions he could be gearing up for a return in front of a home crowd. The Northern Ireland Open takes place next week, with Allen posting a cryptic clue on social media.
The current world No.12 said on X: “Is it time?,” with a video of him watching The Office actor Ricky Gervais doing stand-up comedy. Understandably, snooker fans were quick to react, with many hoping this was a reference to a return.
@carlsumner93 wrote: “Hope to see you back soon mark and hope everything’s well that 2nd UK title is coming.”
@I_Am_A_Twit_ posted: “I hope so Mark! The #NIOpen wouldn’t be the same without you.”
@fulham_mike1 responded: “Time to get back on the baize Pistol, the sport is better for it.”
@spinoutdaz replied: “sometimes the knocks we get in life make us come back stronger and more determined. welcome back mark.”
And @dcmcmlxxvi said: “Good to see you and hopefully we'll see you with a cue in your hand again soon. You still got Triple Crowns to win.”
Allen has remained generally quiet during his absence, with the snooker star having issued very few updates. Speaking back in May, Allen reflected on his near-miss at the World Championship.
He told BBC Radio Ulster’s Sportsound: "I hadn't seen my daughter Harley for three weeks and when I picked her up from school, she jumped into my arms and the first thing she said was 'how did you miss that black, daddy?’
"I have been asked a million times since and don't know what the answer is. It was a shocking miss, but I tried my best and it just didn't work out on that day. There were positives to take from the two weeks in Sheffield. I know I played well although I was disappointed with how it ended, but it's the closest I've got [to a final] and that's something I have to take."
He has been drawn against fellow countryman Jordan Brown in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open. The action gets underway on Sunday.
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