Mark Allen would be 'huge loss' for Northern Ireland Open but 'health and family comes first'

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More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice Jordan Brown has stressed home hero Mark Allen would be a huge miss if he was forced to withdraw from the upcoming Northern Ireland Open. The world No.3 pulled out of the Wuhan Open earlier this month due to a health issue in the family.

At the time Allen , a two-time champion on home soil in Belfast, said: “I have had to withdraw from the upcoming Wuhan Open due to a family illness. I hope to be back playing come Belfast, but at this time I have to prioritise my family.” Antrim ace Allen’s absence would be a huge blow for the event, which was rocked by the player-power struggle with authorities last season.

Read next: Shaun Murphy hits out at Mark Allen over 'rude and amateurish' attitude at British Open Read next: Mark Allen not happy with prizemoney on offer at UK and Northern Ireland tournaments A number of top stars including Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Mark Selby, Ding Junhui and then world champion Luca Brecel didn’t enter with the lure of guaranteed exhibition cash on offer. Hopes are high that Allen will be able to compete at the tournament, which kicks off at the Waterfront Hall on Sunday, October 20. Left-hander Allen, who has been back practicing this week, is due to face China’s Liu Hongyu on Monday.

But on the prospect of Allen pulling out last minute, practice partner Brown insisted: “Mark would be a huge loss for the tournament it he’s not able to play. “Mark gets a big following in Belfast. For such a small country, with only three professional snooker players with Mark, me and Robbie [McGuigan], he’s obviously our biggest attraction.

Jordan Brown of Northern Ireland at the table (Image: VCG/VCG via Getty Images) “He’s won the tournament twice and they were brilliant nights for him and the local crowd to celebrate. “For Mark to not be in Belfast would be a big disappointment for the tournament, but obviously health and family comes first. That’s your priority.

“I’m sure Mark will make the correct decision if he has to pull out.” Former Welsh Open winner Brown kicks off his own title bid against Robert Milkins, who has been out of sorts so far this season, on Sunday. Ahead of his campaign, the qualifier said: “I’m feeling really good.

I feel like I’ve turned a corner in recent events. “I’m scoring a lot heavier and I’m really happy with my game heading into Belfast. “Having to play the qualifier is really nerve-wracking, but I’ve come through it three years in a row.

“You try to put it to the back of your mind, but it’s there. You don’t want your home event to come around once a year and you’re not there because you’ve failed to qualify.” Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks.

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