Mark Allen said that retiring from snooker is “something I have been contemplating for a while” following his first-round loss to Jordan Brown in the Northern Ireland Open.

Allen was beaten 4-2 by fellow Antrim man Brown in his first event since losing to Wu Yize in heartbreaking fashion in the semi-finals of the World Championship in Sheffield in May.

The former world number one said showing up to play his match against Brown was an “achievement” after a “really difficult” period in his life while he took a break from competitive action.

“I think if I hadn’t have been playing Jordan, I probably would not have played,” Allen told BBC Sport NI after his defeat at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

“I felt like I did not want my last match to be remembered for that semi final in Sheffield.

“I thought it would be a bit of nostalgia to go out playing Jordan in the Waterfront where it all started in 2005 and that would be a more fitting end if I do call it a day.

Asked if he is considering drawing the curtain on his career, he replied: “Yeah.”

More to follow.



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