Northern Ireland Open 2022 snooker recap – Ronnie O'Sullivan eases to victory as inspired Mark Allen hits two centuries

ByDesmond Kane

Updated 17/10/2022 at 12:26 GMT

The Home Nations series returns on Sunday with the Northern Ireland Open live and exclusive on discovery+. Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan headline the action on the opening day in Belfast against Rod Lawler and Lukas Kleckers respectively. You can also watch Seventh Heaven, a two-part show about O’Sullivan’s historic World Championship win last season, on demand now.

Watch Ronnie's astonishing emotional reaction after seventh world title

Allen 4-1 Chang

Northern Ireland Open

Trump wins third straight ranking title with victory over Wakelin

30/10/2023 at 09:01

"I felt calm all day, but then felt edgy when I got out there," said Allen. "Even though I lost the first frame, I felt calm. Getting that first frame out of the way was a big thing for me."

Breaks of 123, 56, 70 and 109 from Mark Allen. Superb level of play. We'll back with more live action at 12:45pm on Monday with Neil Robertson facing Fan Zhengyi and Mark Selby meeting Sam Craigie. Thanks for joining us.

Allen 3-1 Chang (113-1)

A clearance of 108 from Allen. Superb stuff. He eases through to the last 64.

Allen 3-1 Chang (80-1)

Chance for Allen to complete the job in style with another century....

Allen 3-1 Chang (46-1)

Brilliant pot on blue to force angle and land on a red. Looking for a couple of reds to finish off this contest. Chang potting one ball in four frames.

Allen 3-1 Chang (27-1)

Couple of cracking long reds early in this fifth frame before Allen comes out on top again in the safety duel. Has been a real feature of this contest. Chance for Allen to get this match won here and now. Winner of this match faces Chen Zifan in last 64.

Around the tables

Stuart Bingham 4-1 Allan Taylor
Luca Brecel 4-0 Joe O'Connor

Allen 2-1 Chang (136-0)

A closing break of 70 from Allen and that is good enough to lead 3-1. Chang has gone three frames without potting a ball. A nervy start to the night, but looking relaxed at the Waterfront.

Allen 2-1 Chang (53-0)

Well, this is classy from Allen. Has worked hard to sort out this table and doesn't look like missing from close range. Golden chance to move one frame from the winning post.

Allen 2-1 Chang (16-0)

An attempt to run dead weight down table does not come off for Chang and Allen is presented with another obvious chance to build a lead in this fourth frame.

Allen 2-1 Chang (10-0)

Reds splattered all over the place and Allen produces a brilliant safety shot to right hand side of table. Trouble for Chang.

Allen 2-1 Chang (10-0)

Chang twice missing a red coming off two cushions, but gets there the third time. Young Chinese player under pressure due to Allen's excellence.

Allen 1-1 Chang (69-0)

Chang has not potted a ball in previous two frames with Allen very much on top. Needs two more frames to advance in front of his home crowd.

Allen 1-1 Chang (49-0)

Allen looking very sharp after losing the first frame. Plays a timely snooker behind yellow with Chang escaping from it, but leaving red to centre. Both players missing opportunities, but Allen is back in business seconds later as he rattles home a fine red with authority. Surely on cusp of a 2-1 lead.

Allen 1-1 Chang (20-0)

Another tactical error by Chang enables Allen to punch in a red. Not easy table, but opportunity is there to get right back in stroke. Tries to cannon a red via black, but shot doesn't work out and he is forced to run safe.

Allen 0-1 Chang (136-0)

Ton up in Belfast. The locals loving this exhibition of ball striking. A brilliant 123 break from the Antrim man and he is back on level terms in race to four.

Allen 0-1 Chang (88-0)

A fine response here from Allen and he has chance to make a century in the second frame.

Allen 0-1 Chang (66-0)

Delightful blue to the green pocket by Allen as break reaches 53. Chance to win frame in one hit and level at 1-1.

Allen 0-1 Chang (37-0)

Nice long red by Allen. Controlled cue ball with some aplomb too and he is out onto the black. Another chance to get hand on table and build a sizable lead in the opening frame.

Allen 0-0 Chang (36-50)

Allen catches pink too thick and he has left a gift for Chang, who tucks away pink for a 1-0 lead. A long old frame, but Chang edges it. Allen tried to roll in pink to middle, but doesn't make it.

Allen 0-0 Chang (36-44)

Suddenly it is a pink ball game with black over a top pocket. Chang tried to free pink and black, but nothing doing.

Allen 0-0 Chang (36-14)

Allen looking to take out this first frame via reds and blues, but he misses a blue off its spot to middle. Didn't expect that. Frame still in balance.

Allen 0-0 Chang (13-14)

Pink and black tied up so this frame could take some time to resolve. Some fine safety play on show at the moment before Allen catches a red too thick. No damage done for Allen as a green to middle stays out.

Allen 0-0 Chang (13-9)

Both men settling into this match. They've met twice. Allen enjoyed a 5-2 victory in the first round of the Turkish Masters in March with Chang running out a 6-5 winner in the last 64 of the 2020 UK Championship.

Allen 0-0 Chang (6-0)

2017 Northern Ireland Open winner Mark Williams is through to the last 64 with a 4-2 win over Peter Lines. Belfast crowd keen to support local lad Mark Allen.

O'Sullivan 4-0 Kleckers

"It was amazing to play in front of such massive numbers in Hong Kong," said O'Sullivan. "It is a great crowd the Belfast crowd, great snooker fans. I think this tournament really gets going in the quarters so if you can stick about until then you feel you are into the tournament."

O'Sullivan 3-0 Kleckers (78-53)

Error by Kleckers as he leaves brown over a baulk pocket. O'Sullivan powers home brown before landing on blue. In goes the blue, pink and black. A stylish 4-0 win for the world champion. He will face David Grace in the last 64.

O'Sullivan 3-0 Kleckers (56-53)

Bit of drama as Kleckers sees white disappear down the green pocket before O'Sullivan holes red only to send white crashing down a middle pocket. We are set for more safety on the final four colours.

O'Sullivan 3-0 Kleckers (52-44)

Break moves to 44 before Ronnie drops in red along top cushion. Down to the colours after O'Sullivan contributes third half century of the night.

O'Sullivan 3-0 Kleckers (9-44)

Another 22 to go with earlier 22 before Kleckers runs out of position. O'Sullivan picks out a superb plant and suddenly has chance to mount a recovery.

O'Sullivan 3-0 Kleckers (0-28)

Kleckers presented with an easy opening after O'Sullivan can't sink a red from mid-range. Looks a bit annoyed with himself. Kleckers picks out a red to a middle bag in some style. Going about his business quite methodically at moment, but only 22 points before he breaks down. O'Sullivan then misses red with a rest as his opponent returns to the table.

O'Sullivan 3-0 Kleckers (0-0)

The winner of this event will pick up The Alex Higgins trophy next Sunday. O'Sullivan responds to a fine safety shot by Kleckers with one of his own.

O'Sullivan 2-0 Kleckers (107-8)

Another frame disappears from view of Kleckers. O'Sullivan 3-0 ahead after an hour of play. Very impressive so far.

O'Sullivan 2-0 Kleckers (71-0)

Another delightful contribution of 71 from O'Sullivan. No century, but that should be good enough for a 3-0 lead. Looking very sharp this evening.

O'Sullivan 2-0 Kleckers (47-0)

The Belfast crowd roar their approval as Ronnie sinks a red down the table to yellow pocket. Classic Rocket in full flight here.

O'Sullivan 2-0 Kleckers (18-0)

Another safety error by Kleckers. O'Sullivan presented with a golden chance to build a lead here. Can't really afford to make unforced errors in this company. A brilliant blue by O'Sullivan to the green bag. Off he goes again.

O'Sullivan 1-0 Kleckers (78-46)

Kleckers battled back into frame, but a blunder on the reds left Ronnie back in. Despatched the remaining reds with ease. And he is going to do what he usually does. In goes brown, blue and pink. That will be that for the second frame. He leads 2-0.

O'Sullivan 1-0 Kleckers (46-46)

Safety error by O'Sullivan, but Kleckers can't punish with mid-range red opportunity. Chance of a thin cut on red seconds later, but he tickles the middle jaw. Certainly had chances in this second frame.

O'Sullivan 1-0 Kleckers (46-46)

But no winning run with red eluding him on 46 down a side rail. Down to a safety joust to settle this second frame.

O'Sullivan 1-0 Kleckers (46-46)

Chance for Lukas to launch a counter attack. Have a feeling this break could be pivotal in the narrative of the match after O'Sullivan was in early with 46. Two reds left up and all square in points.

O'Sullivan 1-0 Kleckers (46-0)

Kleckers given chance of a long red to the green pocket after O'Sullivan makes a rapid 46, but doesn't make it. Well off target. Worrying signs for the world no. 101.

O'Sullivan 1-0 Kleckers (39-0)

Kleckers attempts a long red, doesn't make it and Ronnie is right back in among them again. This is already looking very ominous. O'Sullivan in complete control of that cue ball.

O'Sullivan 0-0 Kleckers (67-25)

A brilliant rapid break of 66 from O'Sullivan and he leads 1-0. Just makes it look so easy. Carrying on from last week in Hong Kong.

O'Sullivan 0-0 Kleckers (17-25)

They've met twice before on the professional tour. A 4-2 win for O'Sullivan in the last 64 of the 2022 Welsh Open and a 4-2 win in the first round of the 2017 Northern Ireland Open. O'Sullivan with hand on table and chance to score here.

O'Sullivan 0-0 Kleckers (0-25)

A bright start from the German player at the Waterfront Hall. Picks out a long red early on, but struggling for position. 25 before he runs safe.

Welcome back

Ronnie O'Sullivan is the headline act on Sunday night in Belfast. The world champion meets Lukas Kleckers in the first round before Mark Allen plays the opening match of his Northern Ireland Open title defence with Chang Bingyu his opponent. Elsewhere, the three-time world champion Mark Williams faces Peter Lines.

Thanks for joining us

We will be back at 7pm with more live updates as the world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan begins his campaign against Lukas Kleckers before Mark Allen opens his title defence against Chang Bingyu. See you then.

Selby 3-2 Evans (56-20)

Concession finally comes from Evans on the colours. The four-time world champion emerges victorious with a 4-2 success.

Selby 3-2 Evans (56-12)

Selby 44 clear with 35 on table. Can't see any way back for Evans after a praiseworthy display.

Selby 3-2 Evans (55-12)

Should be a done deal with just a red and a colour needed..

Selby 3-2 Evans (35-12)

Fine cut on a red to a middle pocket and he gets a favourable kiss on yellow. Chance is there for Selby to secure a meeting with Sam Craigie in the last 64.

Selby 3-2 Evans (26-12)

Selby again failing to score and finish off this match. He will need to wait for another chance. Seven reds left on table.

Selby 3-2 Evans (23-12)

Well, only 19 points from that visit. Selby feeling the strain. Tried to power in a red but object ball bounces back out. All getting very tense.

Selby 3-2 Evans (10-11)

Disaster for Reanne as white goes in off. Red doesn't drop and Selby with an easy red in the d to get the break started. Should make a few points here. Golden chance.

Selby 3-2 Evans (0-11)

Selby seemed to coasting at 2-0, but Evans has not lacked spirit. A poor attempt at a safety shot leaves Selby with chance of mid-range red. But nothing doing due to awkward cueing over the yellow. Evans responds with a long red superbly picked out.

Selby 2-2 Evans (81-46)

34-minute frame, but Selby wins it after a safety blunder by Evans. Too much pace on green attempting to find a snooker and Selby slots green, brown and blue for a 3-2 lead. Quite a battle, but Selby emerges with the frame.

Selby 2-2 Evans (64-46)

Frame has been running for 28 minutes. Making it longest of the match.

Selby 2-2 Evans (64-46)

Evans gets the snooker she needs with Selby missing green off two cushions. Was tough behind the brown and the lead is down to 23 points with 25 left up. Evans then leaves Selby tucked up behind the pink. This frame well and truly alive.

Selby 2-2 Evans (64-19)

Selby has weathered the storm a bit. Evans needs a snooker otherwise she will trail 3-2. Fascinating battle of wills.

Selby 2-2 Evans (42-19)

Selby with tough shot using the spider and red stays up. Chance passes over to Evans, but she can't slot a tough pink to green pocket. Brave attempt, but that could be costly.

Selby 2-2 Evans (17-4)

Selby with a miraculous escape from a snooker after he ran into the pack from potting a long red. Four cushions. Brilliant. And he forces the error from Evans. Chance then for Selby to reassert himself.

Selby 2-1 Evans (30-99)

Down to the best of three to decide this one. Evans chasing a famous victory. Can she maintain the momentum?

Selby 2-1 Evans (30-74)

Brilliant escape from Evans on red off baulk cushion with a bit of side after Selby had left her behind black. That was a pressure shot, but came through it superbly. Selby chasing one snooker, but he isn't going to get it. Evans takes out the final red and this match is heading 2-2.

Selby 2-1 Evans (22-66)

Selby with chance to force respotted black as he drops in pink to middle after long red. But no black to follow the next red and he will need a snooker.

Selby 2-1 Evans (0-66)

A knock of 46 as red stays out along top cushion. 67 left on table with 66 the difference.

Selby 2-1 Evans (0-66)

This is excellent from Evans. Looking on the cusp of drawing level at 2-2 here. Break reaches 40. Needs one more red to leave Selby needing a snooker.

Selby 2-1 Evans (0-20)

A blistering long red by Evans at outset of fourth frame. Knocks in a delightful blue, but no red to follow. Growing in confidence.

Selby 2-0 Evans (9-65)

Evans brings up the 50. Some fine ball striking and potting before unearthing a brilliant red with the rest. Superb shot. Break ends on 64, but more than enough to win frame and Selby has seen enough. Very impressive response.

Selby 2-0 Evans (9-12)

Evans handed a golden chance after Selby misses blue to the green pocket. Opportunity to get hand on table with a decent break.

Robertson 4-0 Patrick

Breaks of 85, 120 and 55 from Masters holder Neil Robertson against Fraser Patrick. He completes a 4-0 win and is through to the last 64.

Selby 1-0 Evans (88-19)

Breaks of 63 and 51 for Selby. Classy level of play from the Leicester man. Already halfway to the last 64.

Selby 1-0 Evans (65-19)

Delightful rest shot on a red from Selby, who is inching towards the second frame. Evans had a chance, but could not take it and she is going to fall 2-0 behind. Tough assignment when Selby is in the mood.

Selby 1-0 Evans (37-19)

Selby surveying the scene after dropping a red into a middle pocket. Overcooks the positional shot on black and is forced to run safe. A reprieve for Reanne.

Selby 1-0 Evans (9-19)

Evans has an assured safety game, but scoring is going to be the issue as she runs out of position after picking out a plant on reds.

Selby 1-0 Evans (9-9)

Bit of safety exchange in the second frame. Evans would dearly love some table time as a blue to middle pocket eludes her. Long red also stays out as Selby slots one to centre pocket.

Selby 0-0 Evans (67-0)

A very solid frame of typical Selby snooker. Looking very sharp in the first frame. He leads 1-0.

Selby 0-0 Evans (63-0)

The art of break-building by Selby in opening frame and he is going to get the job done at one visit. A run of 63 from Selby and Evans needs one snooker.

Selby 0-0 Evans (19-0)

Only first few shots of match, but Selby is completely focused on job at hand. In goes mid-range brown. Superb pot to continue the break with black out of commission.

Selby 0-0 Evans (7-0)

12-time women's world champion Evans against the four-time world champion Selby. Fine opening red from distance before rolling in green. Early chance to score for Selby.

Around the tables

Ricky Walden 1-4 Xiao Guodong
Judd Trump 4-1 Rod Lawler
Shaun Murphy 4-0 Xu Si

Trump 4-1 Lawler

"It is one of my favourite places to come," says Trump about Belfast after contributing 114 and 88. "I played pretty well. I didn't do much wrong. It was tricky the first few frames."

"Every time I come here, I get amazing support. Maybe my style of play is like Alex Higgins. They really like get behind that and I'm trying all these different shots for the fans out there."

Trump 3-1 Lawler (88-0)

No century, but a wonderful break of 88 for Trump and a 4-1 win. That is simply magnificent. He will face Aaron Hill in the last 64.

Trump 3-1 Lawler (60-0)

Trump reaches 51 before sliding home a difficult pink and a tough cut on red. Almost over the winning line in this match. And then he picks out a three-ball plant on reds. What another superb plant to make. Brilliant stuff.

Trump 3-1 Lawler (20-0)

Delightful opening red to a centre pocket. Trump keen to get moving in the frame he needs for victory. Smashes open the reds via blue, but somehow isn't on a red. That is incredible. Then picks out a terrific plant to keep break going. Fabulous shot there.

Trump 2-1 Lawler (68-0)

Rod has seen enough of this frame. Required three snookers and won't be playing for them. A 3-1 lead for three-time Northern Ireland Open winner. A match against Aaron Hill awaits in the round of 64.

Trump 2-1 Lawler (53-0)

Lawler knocks a white in attempting to play safe and that mistake provides Trump with another chance to win the frame.

Trump 2-1 Lawler (43-0)

Quickfire knock of 43, but nothing else doing as white ends up sticking on pack of reds. Just the safety shot coming up.

Trump 2-1 Lawler (24-0)

And Trump is back in business early in the fourth frame after holing a long red. Looks like he is warming to the occasion out there.

Trump 1-1 Lawler (59-55)

Classic Trump as he rattles in a stunning green before tidying up the final four colours to secure frame. A rueful smile from Lawler, who felt that white ball went off line to leave Trump on green.

Trump 1-1 Lawler (34-55)

Break of 46 from Lawler. Produces a fine double on yellow, but can't sink a tough green to centre pocket. Trump would dearly love to pinch this frame. Lawler needing one ball to leave his opponent needing snooker.

Trump 1-1 Lawler (34-30)

Lawler not the fastest player on tour. 32 seconds a shot, but he can get the job done. Obvious chance to win this frame for a 2-1 lead with four reds remaining and none of them safe.

Trump 1-1 Lawler (34-10)

Error by Trump. Almost flukes a red, but leaves it over the green pocket. Lawler knocks in red before swinging over to knock in black. But he is again out of position. Runs safe and Trump throws in a blunder attempting to return to baulk. What can Lawler do here?

Trump 1-1 Lawler (33-1)

Frame is wide open with reds all in open for whoever can get the next chance among balls. Lawler using all his experience to slow matters down.

Trump 1-1 Lawler (33-1)

Trump looking for a cannon on a red, but ends up missing black off spot. Didn't expect that error and neither did Judd.

Trump 1-1 Lawler (24-0)

Dreaded double kiss for Lawler leaves Trump with an easy opener and chance to score in the third frame. This spells danger for Rod.

Trump 0-1 Lawler (114-0)

A stunning pot on yellow. Doubles yellow up and down the table. What a piece of exhibition snooker that is. Superb from Trump. No total clearance, but a run of 114 is just what he needed. We are level at 1-1.

Trump 0-1 Lawler (82-0)

Brilliant long red by Trump to start this break and suddenly a 10th century of the season looms large.

Trump 0-1 Lawler (52-0)

Trump making a vibrant start to the second frame. Lovely little red to the centre pocket continues the break and this is a chance to restore parity with one visit after that elongated opening frame.

Trump 0-0 Lawler (42-64)

Trump leaves blue to a centre pocket courtesy of an unwelcome double kiss and Rod takes it out with ease before popping in the pink. Well then. Trump is 1-50 to win this match but finds himself a frame behind in the race to four.

Trump 0-0 Lawler (42-52)

Blue ball game really with pink over a pocket. Both men having chances to slot blue, but not quite there. 30 minutes and counting for opening frame. A tactical battle to settle it with blue near pink.

Trump 0-0 Lawler (42-48)

Trump can't free up the final red from a side cushion. Lawler then flukes the final red and has chance to take this opening frame on colours. Only the blue is off the spot. What a chance this is.

Trump 0-0 Lawler (20-39)

Lawler into the lead, but out of position holding a 19-point advantage. Four reds left up. Just couldn't get the split on four reds.

Trump 0-0 Lawler (20-7)

But a black off the spot is missed by the 2019 world champion. That is unexpected. Spot of side and the black deviated from its intended path to pocket.

Trump 0-0 Lawler (13-7)

All very tight in the opening exchanges before Trump picks out red to middle. Goes in off the pink, but picks out another fine red seconds later. Chance for the world No. 2 to get hand on table.

Trump 0-0 Lawler (0-1)

So we are off and running with a bout of safety play before Lawler rolls in a long red only to snooker himself.

Trump 0-0 Lawler (0-0)

"This is a great event. You know it is going to be special," said Trump, who is chasing a fourth Northern Ireland Open title. "Rod is very attacking even though he is methodical."

Around the tables

Few results from this morning.

Kyren Wilson 4-0 Ken Doherty
Zhao Xintong 1-4 Lyu Haotian
Yan Bingtao 4-2 Liang Wenbo

Trump ready for Belfast opener

Good afternoon and welcome to live updates from the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast. First up is Judd Trump against Rod Lawler which is followed by four-time world champion Mark Selby against former women's world champion Reanne Evans at the Waterfront Hall. A place in the last 64 is on the line. Should be a fascinating afternoon.

Astonishing emotion from O'Sullivan revealed for first time after seventh world title

The powerful emotions felt by Ronnie O'Sullivan after his seventh World Championship title were revealed for the first time on the Eurosport show Seventh Heaven.

After claiming his famous seventh world title at the Crucible in May, O'Sullivan joined the Eurosport studio, and in footage which has never been seen before, the snooker great broke down into tears as the magnitude of the achievement hit home.

The moment gives an extraordinary insight into how much a seventh world title meant to O'Sullivan.

Speaking to his good friend and one of his former rivals, Alan McManus, on Seventh Heaven, O'Sullivan discusses in-depth the feelings that came up as he drew level with Stephen Hendry with his tally of triumphs at the Crucible. The conversation was part of the special two-hour show on discovery+ and Eurosport, which you can watch on demand now.