Snooker LIVE: Big Changes as the Business End Approaches..

Snooker LIVE: Big Changes as the Business End Approaches..

 

The title of the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast is firmly in sight – and with it comes both drama and surprise. With the draw entering its business end, names are dropping off, retirements are being mooted, and one of the sport’s biggest stars is opting out entirely.

Ronnie O’Sullivan & the Special Invite Tangle

Ronnie O’Sullivan, one of snooker’s iconic figures, is prominent in the off-table headlines this week. Rather than being in the mix in Belfast, the seven-time world champion has opted to sit this one out.
According to his own news site, O’Sullivan has already indicated he is cutting back on his schedule. Elsewhere, analysis suggests his absence may be part of a bigger picture: with the upcoming Champion of Champions invitational looming, the organisers have reportedly been keen to ensure O’Sullivan’s inclusion.
What this means in practice: O’Sullivan’s absence from the Northern Ireland Open frees up routes for other players, and adds further intrigue to a backend of the season that has already seen a handful of top names pulling out or scaling back their commitments.

Players Quitting Tournaments & the Wider Landscape

It’s not just Ronnie. This week, the business end of the Northern Ireland Open has lined up as the final major ranking opportunity before the end-of-season push. Some players have quietly chosen to skip events, while others are managing their schedules more cautiously.
For example: the World Open earlier this year saw a number of prominent names withdrawing, including O’Sullivan himself.
In short: several top players appear to be picking their spots rather than entering every tournament. This has consequences for the draw, the ranking battle and the opportunities for the rest of the field.

Mark Allen: Home Favourite & the Pressure of Belfast

One man embracing the moment is Mark Allen. The Northern Irishman is playing in his home event, the Northern Ireland Open, and he’s gone through to the last-16 after a nail-biting 4–3 win over Ben Woollaston.
Allen knows the arena, he knows the crowd, and the extra home atmosphere can be a real plus — but equally, the pressure is heightened. The home favourite tag means expectations rise, and with some of the biggest names absent, the window may be open for him to go deep.

Who’s Still in the Draw & What to Expect

With several of the usual suspects either absent, withdrawing, or skipping, the draw becomes more open than in some years. That opens a chance for players outside the very top echelon to seize the moment.
Allen’s win sets him up well — navigating past Woollaston in a tight 4-3 is a good sign of composure. As he moves forward, he will need to maintain that level, especially as the knockout rounds loom and frames can slip quickly under pressure.

Key Implications

Opportunity for the rest of the field: With O’Sullivan out, and others managing workloads, players like Allen and others who remain have a clearer path to go deep.

Ranking & invitational consequences: The absence of major players impacts invites and ranking stability. The Champion of Champions controversy over criteria (and ensuring big names like O’Sullivan are included) has already stirred debate.

Home turf pressure: For Allen, playing in Belfast is both a boon (crowd support, familiarity) and a challenge (expectations, distractions).

Changing career arcs: O’Sullivan’s reduced schedule reflects a broader trend among some established stars: selective participation rather than full tournament load. His comments about scaling back and focusing on fewer targets suggest we are entering a transitional phase.

Will Allen Go All the Way?

It’s a question many in the snooker community are asking. He’s in form, at home, with the draw thinning out. But winning a tournament of this calibre still means maintaining consistency, handling pressure, and beating whoever emerges in front of him — qualifiers, dark-horses and remaining top seeds alike.

If Allen is to go all the way, here are a few things he must do:

Maintain composure in tight matches: His 4–3 win shows he can hold on, but knockout rounds may be even tighter.

Handle the expectation: Playing at home adds a psychological dimension; he will need to use the crowd energy as fuel rather than let it become a burden.

Avoid slipping when favourites fall away: Sometimes when big names withdraw or skip, the remaining field sees a drop in perceived quality, but every match remains dangerous.

Stay focused under medium-term pressure: The tournament is not won in one match; the last-16, quarter-finals and semis will test stamina, nerves and form.

The Larger Picture for the Tour

The broader story is less about who wins in Belfast, and more about how the professional tour is evolving. Top players quitting or skipping tournaments, selective scheduling and the increasing weight of invitational events are all shaping the future.
O’Sullivan’s decision to sit out echoes this shift: rather than entering every ranking event, he appears positioning himself for targeted success and perhaps the remaining major trophies. The tour may be entering a phase in which longevity and schedule-management become key, especially for players of his tenure.

Conclusion

As the Northern Ireland Open approaches its climax, all eyes are on the few who remain and the opportunities that lie ahead. Mark Allen is in the spotlight — at home, in form, and with a field that has shifted slightly in his favour. At the same time, Ronnie O’Sullivan’s absence and the broader phenomenon of players quitting or skipping tournaments add a layer of intrigue to the event.

Whether Allen goes all the way remains to be seen — but the possibilities are certainly there, and in a week of snooker that may feel a little different thanks to the absences and changes, anything could happen.