Partying still has its place for Mark Allen amid new balance

Mark Allen is adamant partying still has its place as he prepares to continue his quest for a maiden world snooker title at the Crucible on Saturday.

The 38-year-old Antrim native launched a dramatic health drive that saw him shed over six stone in the last two years, and has been rewarded by a handful of ranking titles and a surge to third in the current world rankings.

But ahead of his second-round clash with John Higgins, night owl Allen stressed the need to continue striking a balance as he aims to plot a path to the final for the first time.

"Just because you're going out partying doesn't mean you're not dedicated and applying yourself to the sport," Allen told the PA news agency.

"I think in the past I probably didn't get the balance quite right, and it's about doing things at the right times, because you've got to have a life away from snooker.

"I still enjoy a night out with my friends. I probably don't do it as often as I did, but when I do, I make up for it. I enjoy having a few shots and going on the vodka, but I never do it too close to a tournament now, and that's the difference."

Allen, who reached the semi-finals last year - only his second appearance in the one-table set-up after a series of early-round disappointments - revealed he was convinced to change his mindset after a painful 13-4 second-round defeat to Ronnie O'Sullivan in 2022.

That loss coincided with a period of turmoil in his private life including an acrimonious custody battle with his then partner, fellow professional Reanne Evans, and having to declare himself bankrupt.

Allen added: "Ronnie wasn't playing anywhere near his best and he still brushed me aside, and I had to ask myself whether I wanted to be that player who came back here and didn't