Antrim's Mark Allen is aiming to win a ranking tournament

Antrim's Mark Allen goes into action at the Northern Ireland Trophy on Tuesday desperate to make a breakthrough at a major tournament.

The 22-year-old starts the season in the top 16 for the first time but has reached just one ranking semi-final.

That was in last year's NI final when he lost to Fergal O'Brien.

"I have risen in the rankings without competing for tournaments. I want to do well and there is no better place to do it than in Belfast," said Allen.

"Now I am in the top 16, I need to be competing for tournaments regularly.

"This is a big season for me and that will make me concentrate even more. I want to do well for myself, but also for the supporters that come to watch me."

Last season finished in despair for Allen when he lost 10-9 to Stephen Hendry in the first round at the World Championship in Sheffield, letting slip a golden chance to win the match when he led 9-8.

"Anyone who saw me in interviews after that match could see I was very, very disappointed," he added.

"Not because I lost, but because of the way I lost. I felt I had played the better snooker over the whole match and deserved to win."

Allen plays his opening match in the Northern Ireland Trophy on Tuesday, 26 August in the Waterfront Hall.

Among the top players in action will be world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, Belfast's Joe Swail, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Ken Doherty and Steve Davis.