Hockey men pass pre-season test
Thursday, 4 September 2008
Antrim First XI, sponsored this season by the Antrim Guardian, reached the finals of the Raphoe tournament in Donegal last week - and coach Johnny McMeekin believes the performance augurs well for the season ahead.
WITH the fitness training in full swing and the new season fast approaching, Antrim Hockey Club are now taking part in friendly fixtures to give their players some match practice.
Johnny McMeekin has returned to coach the Antrim First XI - which is sponsored by the Antrim Guardian - and last weekend they travelled to Donegal to play in a quadrangular tournament organised by the Raphoe Club.
On Friday evening they played the Dublin team, Railway union and emerged with a convincing 5-0 win. Ricky McClintock got a hat trick with Paddy McKeown and Scot Mitchell scoring the other goals.
On Saturday morning the team played against a team from the University of Lancaster and they finished as 4-1 winners with Paddy McKeown scoring two goals and Adrian Murtland and Ricky Maybin scoring one each.
In the final game Antrim played the home team Raphoe and in a tight game they were beaten 4 - 2, the fourth goal scored with the last hit of the game. Ricky McClintock and Ricky Maybin were the goal scorers.
Coach McMeekin was 'reasonably happy' with the team performance which gave him a chance to look at several new players who are joining the Club this season.
This Saturday the build up continues when the First team Squad travels to Dublin to play Dublin YMCA in a couple of friendly fixtures.
The Seconds are scheduled to play a friendly against Mossley Seconds at the Forum. Friendlies for the Thirds and Fourths are yet to be confirmed
Fixtures for Firsts - September 13 (A - Raphoe); September 20 (A - Annadale); September 27 (H - North Down).
Seconds- - September 13 (H - Harlequins); September 20 (A - Annadale); September 27 (H - Lisnagarvey).
Thirds - September 13 (A - Kilkeel); September 20 ( H - Cookstown); September 27 (A - Lisnagarvey).
Fourths - September 13 (A - Newry) ; September 20 (H - NICS); September 27 (H - Instonians).
