Allen reveals 10-week clinic stay before Northern Ireland Open return

Mark Allen revealed he spent 10 weeks in a mental health clinic before returning to snooker at the Northern Ireland Open on Tuesday, where he lost in the first round to Jordan Brown after a five-month absence. In a statement on X on Wednesday he wrote: "Everything I said in that interview was true. However, rest assured I'm doing my best to turn things round,"

Allen, a former world number one, has a 21-year professional career that includes 12 ranking titles, among them the 2022 UK Championship, and a spell at the top of the world rankings in 2024. His last tournament outing before this week's Northern Ireland Open saw him miss a match-winning black off its spot in the World Championship semi-final against eventual champion Wu Yize. The 40-year-old said he had been in a "bad place at the minute" and was considering retirement.

He said he spent 10 weeks in a mental health clinic and discharged himself so he could prepare for Tuesday's match against Brown, adding that he plans to continue his treatment. Allen framed his return as something owed to his family and supporters.

"I owed that to my family, in particular my daughter, to see me play for what could be the last time. I also owed it to the fans who have supported me throughout my 21 years on tour," added the 40-year-old. He also singled out World Snooker for support, saying: "I also owed that to World Snooker who have been amazing from day on in all this, in particular Simon Brownell [CEO] and Neil Tomkins [World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association COO] who have remained in touch regularly, even Simon paying me a visit in the clinic itself."

On the emotional toll, Allen said he was not in good health and acknowledged how severe things had been in recent months, admitting he "probably" would not have played had he not been drawn against his friend Brown. "I'm not OK, but I'm OK in that itself. I've been much worse in the last few months than you saw yesterday."

He credited his daughter, therapists, clinic staff and fellow patients for supporting him through difficult periods: "My daughter kept me going, the therapists, staff and all the other patients were amazing and helped me through some really dark days." He added: "I also know it won't happen overnight. I'm a work in progress!" and said: "My fight and determination on the table has always been there for ones to see. I need to show those same fighting qualities off it now for a while."

Allen praised Brown's conduct in the match, saying he handled it with "grace and skill" and that he was "proud to call him a friend"; he also thanked those who had sent messages of support and wrote: "This is only the beginning of my new journey."

He said he discharged himself from the clinic so he could prepare for Tuesday's match and that he plans to continue his treatment.