NI Trophy set for Belfast return

Stephen Maguire won last year's Northern Ireland Trophy

The Northern Ireland Trophy world ranking tournament is set to be staged at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast once again in 2008.

The event has been provisionally scheduled for 24-31 August in the calendar released by the World Snooker Association for the forthcoming season.

It will be the fourth time the event has been staged, and the third time it has enjoyed world ranking status.

Stephen Maguire beat Fergal O'Brien 9-5 in last year's final in November.

Antrim's Mark Allen excelled by reaching the semi-final stage and is assured of a return this year as he occupies a place in the world's elite top 16.

The tournament was played in August in 2005 and 2006, before moving to its November slot last year, but has now reverted back to its late summer dates.