Really enjoy three pointer - a potentially messy affair (4,8)

I believe the answer is:

love triangle

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'pointer a potentially messy affair' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't judge whether this works.

'really enjoy three' is the wordplay.
'really enjoy' becomes 'love' (I've seen this in another clue).
'three' becomes 'triangle' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'love'+'triangle'='LOVE TRIANGLE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for love triangle that I've seen is " Three-way relationship?".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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