Mark Allen hailed hero as he steps in to save Belfast snooker club

By Q Radio News

Snooker star Mark Allen was hailed a hero on his return to Northern Ireland last night for playing a charity exhibition match to keep a Belfast snooker hall in business.

The Antrim man did it less than 24 hours after lifting one of the sport's top trophies - the Masters in London.

He put on a show with another local player, Joe Swail, at the Trinity club on the Shankill Road - despite an eventful night following his £200,000 win at Alexandra Palace...

Mark says he was happy to help...

Trinity owner Davy Mitchell says but for Mark the club would have folded...

Allen is the first Northern Ireland player to win a snooker major in 30 years and long-time friend and fellow player Joe Swail says the success is richly-deserved...

Several members of Mark's extended family made the trip from Antrim to support their famous relative in his mercy mission on the Shankill.

Gary Glass and George Bartholomew spoke with Q Radio...

All smiles from Trinity Snooker Club team on Shankill as @pistol147 steps in with exhibition match to save club pic.twitter.com/BNTDALbN4b

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 22, 2018

Masters celebrations till 4.30am, but @pistol147 right on cue at Trinity club, Shankill Road tonight. More on air am pic.twitter.com/jO1ghuMpdI

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 22, 2018

Norn Iron folk are SO generous, and rarely forget their roots. Top class all round. https://t.co/09waAcoUwF

— David Hunter (@davidhunter7) January 22, 2018