Day after Masters, Mark Allen’s in action for an ailing Northern Ireland snooker club

Last night, the 31-year-old Antrim man kept a long-standing date to play an exhibition game with fellow Northern Ireland snooker star Joe Swail in the Trinity club which was on the brink of closing, according to owner Davy Mitchell.

On Sunday night, Allen was the toast of the snooker world when he lifted the Masters trophy and pocketed winnings of £200,000 but, rather than simply indulging in the celebrations of the biggest win of his career, he was determined to entertain the 150 fans whose ticket money had, crucially, paid for a new heating system at the Trinity club.

"We were going out of business and I had put a post on Facebook asking for help. Mark got in touch to say that he and Joe Swail would like to come along and do an exhibition for free to help us stay open," revealed owner Davy.

"I had opened the club in July but as soon as we hit October and November the numbers dropped dramatically - we had no heating in the place and the tables were running slowly so it was crisis point. But thankfully Mark and Joe stepped in to help because the ticket money has allowed us to put in the heating and we can keep going.

"It was Mark who had actually picked the date for the exhibition and it couldn't have worked out any better. I had about 80 coming but after Mark's win in the Masters at the weekend, we were hoping to get it up to around 200 at the end of the night."

Masters champion Allen received a tumultuous reception as he entered the club, insisting that despite his success there was never a thought of him withdrawing from the evening.

"Joe Swail helped me a lot when I was growing up so when he contacted me about coming up to help the Trinity club out, I said no problem and that's what us Northern Ireland boys are all about," said Allen.

"This is me giving back to the game as well because I've been fortunate enough that the game has given me a good living and this is only a small part of what I give back but for the people here it's a big part."

In regard to his victory over Kyren Wilson on Sunday night, following in the footsteps of former Masters champions from Northern Ireland Alex Higgins and Dennis Taylor, Allen believes he has finally proved he is truly one of the elite within snooker.

In the past Allen has spoken openly about his battles with depression but feels he is currently in a much stronger place mentally as he seeks to continue beating the best in the world. "The depression is something that I have to watch out for but I feel like I'm in a better place, financially I'm doing quite well and that takes pressure off.

"I feel that my private life is good now as well," added Allen.

"I don't enjoy being away from home and never will, but my wife Kyla has been great. She pretty much does everything - looks after the wee one and the house and I can just pretty much concentrate on snooker and that's what I want."

Among those watching last night was 58-year-old Thomas Keown who later got to play against Belfast man Swail, while 22-year-old Dean Leckey had won the right to take on the Masters champion.

"It's so good to get to play Mark, my nerves are shattered! It was great to watch him on TV on Sunday night to see him win the Masters, it was a brilliant win," said Dean.

"We had a competition in the club to see who could clear colours up the quickest and I won it so that got me the chance to face Mark. To get playing him is a dream come true."

Foster’s congratulatory tweet criticised

A tweet congratulating Mark Allen for doing Northern Ireland proud from DUP leader Arlene Foster has been trolled by nationalists.

Following his stunning success, Mrs Foster tweeted: “Your determination and desire has brought you to this moment in your career. You have done all of Northern Ireland proud tonight. Well done!”

But shortly after it appeared, some users criticised Mrs Foster for her reference to “Northern Ireland”. One wrote: “Western, southern, and eastern Irish people are also proud.”

But others defended Mrs Foster: “Well said Arlene. He has done our wee country proud.

“No need for anyone to say anything else.”