Dennis Taylor says it's time for Northern Ireland native Mark Allen to lift world title ahead of UK Championship opener

The Antrim cueist - who won the tournament back in 2022 - will face his opponent in the evening session on Monday night. Donaldson came back from 5-0 down to defeat Stuart Bingham 6-5 in the final qualifying round, just weeks after the passing of his father. After capturing the English Open earlier this season, Northern Ireland snooker legend Dennis Taylor has tipped Allen for more major success – including becoming world champion for the first time and completing the sport’s ‘Triple Crown’. He told Betway: “Mark wasn't world number one for nothing. "Mark is capable of going on and doing really well in the UK Championship – but it's time for Mark Allen to lift the world title. "I mean, he lifted the Masters and that was the first one, and the last player to win from Northern Ireland, obviously Alex Higgins won it, and I won it in 1985. "Mark managed to win the Masters, and it's now time Northern Ireland had another world champion. It’s getting tougher and tougher, but he's got the ability to do it — it's about getting the form right at the right time. “I mean, nowadays, if you look at this season, we have had nine ranking tournaments, one invitation tournament, and nine different winners. I mean, that is incredible.” Defending champion Judd Trump has been handed a difficult start as he takes on the experienced Stephen Maguire in the opening round on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, Ronnie O’Sullivan’s bid for a record-extending ninth crown sees him start against China's Zhou Yuelong. First-round draw in full (first to six frames): Judd Trump vs Stephen Maguire, Si Jiahui vs Ryan Day, Ding Junhui vs Xu Si, Mark Allen vs Scott Donaldson, Mark Williams vs David Gilbert, Xiao Guodong vs Pang Junxu, Wu Yize vs Michael Holt, Neil Robertson vs Julien Leclercq, Kyren Wilson vs Elliot Slessor, Barry Hawkins vs David Lilley, Mark Selby vs Lei Peifan, Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Zhou Yuelong, John Higgins vs Ben Woollaston, Shaun Murphy vs Lyu Haotian, Gary Wilson vs Zhang Anda, Zhao Xintong vs Long Zehuang.