Northern Ireland Open snooker: Top 5 blockbuster moments from Belfast with Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Allen and Judd Trump

ByEurosport

Updated 23/10/2023 at 12:20 GMT

The Northern Ireland Open has become one of the most popular events in snooker since it was first staged in Belfast seven years ago. Defending champion Mark Allen and English Open winner Judd Trump are among the favourites to claim the Alex Higgins Trophy on Sunday evening at the city's Waterfront Hall having already produced some iconic moments at the major ranking event in recent times.

Top 5 all-time moments from Northern Ireland Open

Watch as jubilant Allen clinches Northern Ireland Open title with stunning century

1. Allen compiles iconic 147

World Championship

'Proud of myself' - Higgins celebrates 'special clearance' that settled Allen classic

30/04/2024 at 08:13

Mark Allen began his run to back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022 at his home event with a memorable 147 in a 4-1 win against Si Jiahui two years ago.

It was a landmark moment in Belfast that had managed to elude his compatriots Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins and Dennis Taylor, Northern Ireland's celebrated world champions.

“I was so nervous, I was shaking uncontrollably,” said Allen on Eurosport after thrilling the Waterfront Hall.

“Even the ref said afterwards he could see my head going on some shots. To do it anywhere, but to do it here in front of the home fans is special.”

Former Masters champion and Eurosport analyst Alan McManus was hugely impressed with Allen’s effort.

"We see a lot of maximums in the modern game, but you could write a book about that one," he said.

Watch clearance from ‘toughest yellow since Thorburn in ‘83’ as Allen shows huge ‘bottle’ in 147 bid

2. Williams ends six-year ranking title drought

Mark Williams produced one of the finest performances of his golden 31-year career to dash Yan Bingtao’s hopes of becoming the youngest ranking tournament winner in history with an epic 9-8 victory in 2017.

The Welshman had trailed all day at the Belfast Waterfront, falling 6-3 behind at the start of the evening session, but stayed composed to win six out of the final eight frames, including the final two for a remarkable victory.

It was Williams' first ranking tournament win since the German Masters in 2011, and was completed after he almost withdrew before the final with his wife Jo back in hospital fighting suspected viral meningitis. It was also a precursor to his third world title a year later.

3. O'Sullivan wins semi-final thriller with Selby

Ronnie O'Sullivan won a dramatic final-frame shootout against Mark Selby to reach the 2018 Northern Ireland Open final with a thrilling 6-5 victory.

Three century breaks in the first five frames saw the snooker GOAT rampage into a 5-3 lead, only for Selby to fight back to level matters with a brilliant under-pressure contribution of 72 before a solid closing 28 forced the 11th frame decider.

In the final frame, then world No 1 Selby fluked a snooker on the red forcing O'Sullivan to foul several times trying to hit a red as it appeared certain he would lose the frame and match.

However, he then hit the red, which drifted into a middle pocket before clearing up the colours for an incredible 70-68 win – only two points separating the two fierce rivals.

4. Trump's maximum magic

Judd Trump hit a maximum 147 break in the third frame of his 4-0 win against Gao Yang in the second round before going on to seal a third straight title with a third successive 9-7 final victory against O'Sullivan in 2020.

Watch Judd Trump's stunning 147 maximum break in full

Completed in just under 10 minutes, it proved to be the 2019 world champion’s first maximum since the 2019 German masters, and came seven years after his first professional 147 at the Antwerp Open.

This one was compiled in Milton Keynes due to the global pandemic.

'It was ten minutes of perfection really' - Judd Trump on his phenomenal 147 maximum

5. Comeback King celebrates first major title

An emotional Mark King won the inaugural Northern Ireland Open in 2016 with a gripping 9-8 win over Barry Hawkins to secure his first ranking title 25 years after turning professional.

The Romford player recovered from trailing 5-1 to edge out Hawkins - it saw him make it third time lucky in a ranking final having lost to Stephen Hendry (9-2) in the 1997 Welsh Open and Peter Ebdon (10-4) in the 2004 Irish Masters.

“Just before that event I was actually thinking about quitting. I wasn’t in a good place, I wasn’t playing well and I could barely pot a ball," said King.

"I was wondering to myself what I was doing, why I was playing. It then all clicked together.

“It was a surreal moment when I potted the green and realised I had done it. I was waiting for the family to come out and everything I had dreamed of and visualised in my mind over the years had finally happened.

"It was an unbelievable achievement, and an unbelievable feeling."

- - -

Stream top snooker action, including the Northern Ireland Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

World Championship

'Who was that?' - Spectator ejected after shouting out on Allen's shot

28/04/2024 at 18:36

World Championship

Allen wins four frames in a row to take lead against Higgins

28/04/2024 at 17:31

World Championship

Higgins and Allen all level after opening session

27/04/2024 at 19:33