Mark Allen has given a positive update about his health. The encouraging X post comes days after Allen said he was considering quitting snooker. Allen said he hopes he'll "be in a better place" next month come the start of the UK Championship. Best wishes Mark 👍 #snooker

Kyren Wilson paid tribute to his "hero" Jimmy White after clinching the Northern Ireland Open title. Wilson has moved to 11 ranking titles - surpassing legend White in the all-time list of top ranking event winners. He said: "I call Jimmy the Godfather of Snooker." #snooker

"Attacking snooker sees Kyren Wilson land the Northern Ireland Open title - fitting then he takes home the Alex Higgins Trophy." 2026 Northern Ireland Open winner - Kyren Wilson #snooker Picture: TNT Sports

BREAKING: Kyren Wilson wins the Northern Ireland Open beating Jak Jones 9-2 #snooker

Jak Jones says he goes into the NI Open final with a new mindset. Jones has won his first two ranking titles already this season and meets Kyren Wilson in a rematch of the 2024 Crucible showdown. He said: "Now I've won tournaments, I've got belief." #snooker Pic: TNT Sports

Kyren Wilson battled back from behind to reach the Northern Ireland Open final. Wilson trailed 5-3 but fought back to beat Sam Craigie after an epic final frame decider. He'll play Mark Williams or Jak Jones in the final. Wilson beat Jones to win the Worlds in 2024. #snooker

Snooker chief Jason Ferguson said everything will be done to help Mark Allen return to the sport. Allen may retire amid issues in his personal life. Ferguson told talkSPORT he would be "extremely upset" if he quit while having a "great future" ahead. #snooker Video: talkSPORT

Kyren Wilson and Mark Williams have been touted as the new 'favourites' to win the Northern Ireland Open. Wilson and Williams are the only players left from the top 16. A long run is ideal for Wilson who is in need of points to secure an automatic Crucible spot. #snooker

Snooker presenter Rachel Casey received huge praise for the way she handled a TV interview with Mark Allen. Casey hugged an emotional Allen on TNT Sports when he told of his struggles in life. The TNT host got plaudits for the humanity she showed. #snooker Pic: TNT Sports

Mark Allen may quit snooker. Allen hinted his R1 loss in the NI Open could be his last. He said: "I felt if I was going to play one last time, playing at the Waterfront vs one of my best mates - I thought there was no better way to sign out." #snooker

Ronnie O'Sullivan's search for form goes on after he suffered an early exit in the Northern Ireland Open. World number 110 Ka Wai Cheung beat the Rocket 4-3. O'Sullivan joins Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy and Neil Robertson to have suffered Round 1 exits in Belfast #snooker

Jack Lisowski could miss a part of this season for the birth of his first child. Lisowski plans to be in Rio de Janeiro - his partner's home city - for the big day. He said: "I’m going to be there for the birth....so if it means missing a few tournaments, so be it." #snooker

Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to appear in a UK ranking event for the first time since April. The Rocket is scheduled to play Cheung Ka Wai in the Nortnern Ireland Open on Monday. O'Sullivan has not played a UK event since the Worlds where he lost to 13-12 John Higgins. #snooker

World champion Wu Yize has pulled out of the Northern Ireland Open. The withdrawal is due to medical reasons, says WST. He was due to face Scott Donaldson in round one but the Scot gets a bye. The Northern Ireland Open begins on Sunday. #snooker Picture: BBC Sport

Jack Lisowski says his life is set for big change ahead of his Northern Ireland Open title defence. A year ago Lisowski won his first ranking title after years of promise. Now he's preparing for fatherhood. He said: "I’ve got everything going on, cots and all stuff." #snooker

The Waterfront Hall has been suggested as a possible World Championship venue. The Worlds must be played elsewhere in 2029 when the Crucible gets a £45m revamp. Jack Lisowski and Jordan Brown have told The Metro the Belfast venue is "perfect" to host the Worlds. #snooker