Mark Allen considers retirement after Northern Ireland Open defeat

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 20 Oct, 19:32 · Archive

Snooker player Mark Allen is considering retiring after losing his first match since the World Championship semi-final.

Snooker player Mark Allen lost 4-2 to Jordan Brown at the Northern Ireland Open on his comeback, prompting him to reveal he is considering retirement. It was Allen's first match since the World Championship semi-final, where he missed a routine black ball that would have taken him to the final. He had not played since that defeat due to personal reasons.

Allen said he is 'in a bad place at the minute' and felt compelled to return at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, where his career began in 2005. He chose to play against Brown, described as one of his best mates, because he thought that would be 'a better way to sign out'. The former world number one won the first frame before being pegged back.

When pressed on whether he was considering ending his career, an emotional Allen said 'yeah'. He explained: 'I just don't see a future with snooker, if I'm honest. It's sad to say because it's all I've loved to do since I was 12.' He added that the last few months had been difficult and had put snooker into perspective, saying he was 'just trying to survive'. Allen, aged 40, had missed multiple major tournaments earlier in the season, including the Shanghai Masters and the English Open, where he was the defending champion.

How it is being reported

• Emotional Mark Allen considers retirement after first-round Northern Ireland Open defeat against Jordan BrownAn emotional Mark Allen talked about retirement after losing on his competitive return on home soil at the 2026 Northern Ireland Open.News Letter · 20 Oct, 20:35
• Brokenhearted Mark Allen 'just trying to survive' and considering retirement after emotional comeback defeatThe Antrim man had not played since an agonising World Championship semi-final loss due to personal reasonsBelfast Live · 20 Oct, 18:59
• ‘In a bad place at the minute’: Mark Allen breaks down in emotional interview after Waterfront Hall defeatBelfast Telegraph · 20 Oct, 16:27
• ‘In a bad place at the minute’: Mark Allen breaks down in emotional interview and reveals he is considering retiring from snookerBelfast Telegraph · 20 Oct, 16:27

In this story: Mark Allen · Jordan Brown · Wu Yize · Northern Ireland Open · Waterfront Hall · Belfast

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