OSullivan criticisms anger Allen

Ronnie O'Sullivan's negative comments are bad for snooker according to Mark Allen, who won their World Championship second round clash 13-11 on Saturday.

'The Rocket' recently claimed the sport was "dying", but Allen hit back after beating the world champion, saying snooker had never been healthier.

"The things he says do more damage to the game than what he thinks," he said.

"Ronnie said he's carrying the game on his shoulders. I don't agree. If he believes that he should walk away."

The 23-year-old star from Antrim, Northern Ireland was in the form of his life on Saturday, overcoming O'Sullivan with a stunning performance in the final session in Sheffield.

The world number 16 said: "To play one of your heroes at The Crucible was a dream come true, and that inspired me."

O'Sullivan, 33, said his own game had been "very poor", conceding his opponent had played "brilliantly" and had a "great chance of winning the tournament".

During the UK Masters in January O'Sullivan said snooker was "boring" and on a "downward spiral", suggesting someone like X Factor's Simon Cowell should make it more "dynamic".

After ending the Londoner's hopes of retaining the title, Allen said: "I don't believe any of that, and I take what Ronnie says with a pinch of salt.

"There are more than enough players to take the mantle. I don't think the game has ever been in better health player-wise.

Read in full at the BBC