Mark Allen returns to snooker after 10 weeks in mental health clinic

Mark Allen returned to competitive snooker at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast after spending 10 weeks in a mental health clinic.

The 40-year-old had not played since losing a world championship semi-final to Wu Yize in April, when he missed a black that could have won the match.

Allen lost 4-2 to his friend and fellow Northern Irish player Jordan Brown in his return match.

After the defeat, Allen said he had been considering whether to end his career, but later explained that he is trying to turn things around.

He said he had been in a very dark place and that support from his daughter, therapists, clinic staff and fellow patients helped him through it.

Allen says recovery will take time, and that he needs to keep showing determination away from the snooker table.

He plans to continue treatment and then see what comes next.