Rookie winning Crucible 'Battle of the Irish'

Crucible rookie Mark Allen showed no signs of nerves on his first outing at the 888.com World Championship this afternoon as he opened up a 6-3 lead over 1997 winner Ken Doherty.

The promising Antrim-based player gave Doherty a torrid time in the first session of their best-of-19-frame first-round clash in Sheffield.