Northern Ireland Open champion Mark Allen has praised Ronnie O'Sullivan for inspiring him to lose four stone over the close season. The former Masters champion has revealed how he spent time speaking to the seven-time world champion in Sheffield following his 13-4 defeat to the Essex icon in the second round at the Crucible in April. Ad O'Sullivan is a fitness fanatic who has used a rigorous running regime since turning professional in 1992 to keep him physically and mentally attuned for the considerable challenges of the green baize over the past three decades.