Kyren Wilson shared supportive messages with Mark Allen ahead of his Northern Ireland Open final win over Jak Jones, with words of encouragement swapped between the two rivals on the snooker table.
Wilson hammered Jones 9-2 at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, lifting the Alex Higgins Trophy for the second time as he took his ranking title tally to 11.
It was a fantastic performance from the Warrior in the final, making three centuries, but focus was away from potting balls for much of the week in Belfast.
Allen’s return to the table for the first time since the World Championship in May came last week in a 4-2 defeat to his close friend Jordan Brown.
The result seemed of little importance, though, as Allen bravely spoke out about struggling with mental health problems and possibly retiring from snooker as a result.
The 40-year-old has since posted far more encouragingly about life and snooker, looking positively towards possibly playing at the UK Championship, but more widely feeling better after speaking out on his issues.
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There has been a lot of support for Allen from the snooker community and Wilson reached out before the final on Sunday, having also done so after the Pistol’s painful World Championship semi-final defeat to Wu Yize in May.
‘I’ve spoken to Mark. I put an arm around him after the World Championship semi-final because I was working for the BBC,’ said Wilson after his Belfast triumph.
‘Just gave him a cuddle and tried to give my opinion or a little bit of advice. I was hoping it might help, I don’t know if it did.
‘I actually text him this morning [Sunday]. I wrote to him on Instagram in his direct messages because he put a story on about what he’d been doing with his mental health, his routines and stuff.
‘I just messaged him saying I’ve got no doubt you’ll be back, mate. Wish you all the best and I know I’m going to see you soon.
Completely overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since my statement.
— Mark Allen (@pistol147) October 25, 2026
As I continue my treatment and my recovery now know that I simply have to raise more awareness around mental health in the future
Best part of 6 weeks before the UK Championships starts and all…
‘He messaged me back, which was nice of him, just saying give the local crowd some good value today, all the best in the final, go and win it.
‘It’s just nice for him to know, hopefully, that as players and as I’m about to play a final, it’s just nice for him to understand that you’re still thinking of him.’
Wilson has worked with WPBSA on improving support for families of players, recognising the mental and emotional strain that is put on the sportspeople and their loved ones by the professional tour.
On what he would like to see in terms of improved support for players’ mental health, Wilson believes a professional could be available at events, echoing the thoughts of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby.
‘This is a tricky one. I know that at WST we have [sporting mental health experts] Sporting Chance, so the options are there,’ said Wilson. ‘I personally think it would be great to have someone on site because there is nothing better than having somebody face-to-face to talk to; because over the phone you can take things wrong, you get put on hold and stuff like that.
‘If there was somebody on site I think that would really help. Like a genuine professional you can’t just put any Tom, Dick or Harry there.
‘But that’s why I think I have been successful because I’ve got a very strong foundation around me. I’ve been with my wife since I was 17 years old. My brother comes on tour with me. I’ve done that for a reason. Then I’ve got my mum, my dad, my kids, everyone. I speak to [coach] Barry Stark regularly.
‘So I think if you can have that solid base around you and then go off and pot the balls it definitely makes life a lot easier.’
Wilson’s win in Belfast was his first ranking title since March 2025, in fact it was his first ranking semi-final since then.
A lean time in ranking events since then had left the Warrior with fears for his top 16 place by the time the Crucible comes round in April, but the £100,000 top prize has significantly eased those concerns.
‘I’m pleased I’ve managed to produce good, consistent, heavy-scoring snooker. It’s a good confidence booster for what’s to come,’ he said.
‘The way the tour works nowadays, winning a ranking title boosts you up into the World Grand Prix, the Players Championship and the Tour Championship.
‘To not have a chance of defending my Players Championship title last season was a real blow, sitting at home watching that. Hopefully this has given me a good stepping stone into those tournaments this season. You’ve got to ride the crest of the wave while you can.’