Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Allen: The stars may not align..
MARK ALLEN is worried about a lack of star power at next month’s Northern Ireland Open.
Last season Mark Selby, Judd Trump and Neil Robertson were just a few who chose to skip the event.
And Antrim man Allen is worried the same thing could happen again as the tournament, which runs from November 20-26, comes in the middle of a hectic seven-week spell.
“I really hope the top players turn out,” said the world No10. “Unfortunately, with the way the calendar is at the minute, the very top guys are going to pick and choose.
“It’s their right because they’ve earned the right to miss a few events.
“It’s sandwiched between the Champion of Champions and the UKS so there is a chance some players will miss it, like last year.
“Last year Selby didn’t play, Trump didn’t play and it could happen again this year. I hope it doesn’t because we deserve the top players like the world champion because he would be a great draw.”
Last year Englishman Mark King’s dreams finally came true as he won his first ranking title in his 25th year of the circuit.
And Allen insists the tournament will be a great spectacle, with fans flocking to Belfast’s Waterfront Hall regardless of who is playing.
“It opens the doors for others,” he said.
“We saw that with Mark King last year. I’m not saying Mark King’s one of the lower players, he’s not, he’s been a solid player for a long time.
“He probably saw it as an advantage, a few of the top boys not being there.
“It doesn’t matter who plays or not, I’m sure the Waterfront will be packed every night.”