Mark Allen bounces back to set up final showdown with Judd Trump

MARK Allen is one victory away from ending the most colourful week of his career with a maiden ranking event title after booking his place in the final of the williamhill.com UK Championship with a win over Ricky Walden.

The Northern Ireland potter caused a storm on Monday with a public tirade against World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn in a press conference, but he could now end it by taking a cheque, potentially from Hearn if he attends today’s showpiece against Judd Trump in York, for £100,000. Some of the 25-year-old’s potential earnings may have to be paid back in fines too, with Allen having been referred to the game’s disciplinary panel for a four-letter outburst during his candid address, which also contained his call for Hearn to step down. Before any of that becomes a reality, though, he must find a way to get past Bristol-born Trump, although his performance in beating Walden 9-7, having trailed 5-3 at the mid-session interval, suggested he could well topple the Englishman who has been dubbed as the future of the sport.

“Judd is riding the crest of a wave and it will be a tough match,” Allen said.

“I’ve been waiting for a final for a long time, to have the handshake in front of the trophy.”