Antrim get the ball rolling again!

THEY say the score in a pre-season friendly doesn’t count or matter...

It’s more about testing fitness levels. Trying out new players. Mixing up player positions to see what might work over the coming months.

But, in reality, the score doesn’t count or matter only if you lose the game!

Once a player puts on their team jersey and enters the field of battle with ten of their compatriots, everybody wants the win.

And that’s one of the things that make pre-season hockey so exciting.

So, on Saturday, Antrim Hockey Club Senior Men’s Section travelled to Saintfield for their first run out in anger this season.

Both teams intended to field as near to a 1st XI as possible, but with summer holidays still in play it was more of a blend of available players than a dedicated squad.

Returning standout goalkeeper, Cameron Hanna, started the match in nets. In a trial formation, Ken Murphy, Liam Cleary, David Mailey and Matty Watt filled the defence. Midfield comprised just Josh Irwin and Chris Roe, while up front were Nick Wilson, Ronan McDonnell and Andrew Clark in support of outright striker Chris Wilson. On the bench were Dillon Raine, Ross Kernaghan, Stu Kernaghan and Lewis Clark.

Things started slowly and calmly as both teams stretched their legs.

Antrim were the first to attack, but Saintfield were the first to get a shot on target.

After a short break as an Antrim defender took a misplaced clearance ball to the lip, Saintfield took the lead not quite against the run of play, despite Antrim having the majority of possession.

Not long after Raine rattled the post for Antrim, Saintfield doubled their lead just before the whistle, only to see it later ruled out for foot contact on the way to the Antrim goal.

It was just six minutes into the second quarter when Antrim would tie the game through a beautifully placed ball from Irwin to C Wilson, who made sure it was going into the net, 1-1.

But by this stage in the late summer heat, tired legs kicked in and fitness levels showed there was more work to be done before the season proper.

Saintfield then fired two more past Hanna to make it 3-1 by halftime.

This was a wake-up call for Antrim, and at halftime they reverted to a 4/3/3 formation for the remainder of the game. And it worked.

Just over two minutes in and N Wilson played a ball which sliced the Saintfield defence in half, landing perfectly on C Wilson’s stick who then danced around the home keeper to pull one back, now 3-2.

Both teams continued to give it their all as the match entered its final phase.

Even though ‘the score in a friendly match doesn’t matter’, with three minutes remaining C Wilson collected another superb ball from Watt to fire it home and level the game 3-3.

And that’s how it ended. Only fair on a gorgeous afternoon.

And whilst the score didn’t matter really, both sides chased the win like there were league points up for grabs, making it all the more exciting for the travelling spectators.

Returning coach Hanna, doubling up as team photographer in the day, took great satisfaction from his team’s performance, awarding his first Player Of The Match in the 2025/26 season to Liam Cleary which, as ever, gave everything on the pitch.

Pre-season training continues for both Men ands Ladies senior squads on a Tuesday and Thursday evening at Parkhall Integrated College.

This Thursday, will also see the Senior Ladies play their first pre-season friendly at home at the Antrim Forum, Marks Arena versus ‘Owls’ Hockey Club.

The Senior Men will play their next pre-season on Saturday, August 30 away to Armagh, with further games for both sections expected to be announced soon.

Thanks

Antrim Hockey Club continues to welcome returning, new and first-time players to its ranks and would love to see you come along to a training session to see if it for you.

Thanks also go to all of the Clubs supporters and sponsors, particularly to the primary sponsors of the Men’s section, Carmichael Logistics Limited and Ladies Section, Hutchinson At Home.