Snooker news - Judd Trump overcomes Ronnie O’Sullivan to win Northern Ireland Open

Trump, 29, put together runs of 105, 117, 108, 51 and 54 to beat an at times out-of-sorts O’Sullivan.

The win represents Trump’s first title in 13 months, following his European Masters success against Stuart Bingham in 2017.

“It feels amazing,” said Trump after the final.

“Everyone had been writing me off for underachieving, it feels amazing to win another one.

"I’ve always believed in myself.”

O'Sullivan – who was aiming for a third title victory from the four tournaments he has entered this season - opened with a run of 64 at the city's Waterfront Hall, but lost the first frame after missing a brown with the rest that would have left the former UK champion needing a snooker.

The five-times world champion O'Sullivan - who held a narrow 12-10 lead over Trump in career head-to-heads - quickly recovered his stride with knocks of 69 and 65 giving him a 2-1 lead, but was forced to sit and watch Trump produce a pristine 105 to restore parity at 2-2.

World number five Trump was clearly in the mood with a run of 117 enough to earn him a 3-2 advantage after the mid-session interval, but O'Sullivan dug out the sixth frame with a closing 58 again enough to level the final.

O'Sullivan was again reduced to the role of spectator in the seventh frame with Trump compiling 108 for a 4-3 lead, but he could not open up a two-frame advantage despite being first among the balls in the eighth frame.

This time a poor safety shot by Trump - leading 48-2 - saw O'Sullivan clear the table with a 58 break which was enough to pinch the frame on the black, and ensure he is level ahead of the closing session.

The Rocket was first on the board in the evening session, opening with a 61 but Trump, despite not being as fluent as in the afternoon session, rallied to take frames nine and 10 – producing a 51 in the 10th – to open a one-frame advantage.

However, O’Sullivan reduced Trump to a watching brief with knocks of 78 and a sublime 134 in frames 12 and 13 to put himself within two frames of consecutive tournament wins, having won the Champion of Champions at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry last weekend .

It was Trump who would hold the Alex Higgins Trophy aloft, though, reeling off runs of 54 and 79 on his way to claiming a 9-7 win against O’Sullivan.