One narrow loss and one BIG win as Antrim Ladies get back on the ball!

LAST week was all about the Senior Ladies section at Antrim Hockey Club as they finalise their preparations for the 2025/26 season.

And they still have a busy few weeks ahead too as the pre-season friendlies are coming thick and fast.

With the focus clearly on fitness, strategy and determining player positions for the new season there is still no thought of a 1st XI or 2nd XI team, which makes it easier to test the squad as a whole.

And that first test took place on Thursday evening as the Antim Ladies welcomed the Owls Ladies to the Marks Arena.

Antrim started with new to the squad Goalkeeper, Dawn Kennedy in nets. Across the back were Kerrie Clarkson, Reid, Caitlin Robinson, and Rihanna McKenna. In midfield were Reaghan Reid, Kirsty Clark, Lorna Murphy, and Fern McDermott, while up front were Ella Naylor and new captain, Lois Clark. Starting on the bench were Gillian Montgomery, Jody Anderson, Mollie Burns and Lucy Graham.

Both teams started well and were evenly matched.

Owls won the first penalty corner of the game just a few minutes in but couldn’t capitalise, while Antrim had the first open play shot of the game halfway through the first quarter but again, couldn’t capitalise.

Owls were up again next with another penalty corner with three minutes remaining, but a sprinting Naylor charged the shot down allowing Clark to make the clearance and close the threat.

Murphy came closest to scoring as the second quarter started, getting an excellent shot away from seemingly nothing only to see it clip the outside of the nets.

Antrim kept the pressure on through the quarter and the hard work paid off when, with four minutes left to half-time they were awarded and penalty shot for an Owls infringement in their D. Murphy stepped up and made sure the Owls keeper had no chance of stopping her shot, giving Antrim the lead 1-0.

And Antrim continued to press to the whistle, with Clarkson sending a rocket ball from her own baseline to Montgomery over the halfway line, who collected it perfectly and charged towards the opponents goals.

Owls were alert though, killing the attack and launching the ball back towards Antrim’s goals forcing a Kennedy to make a save she had no right to on what was an almost certain goal.

The visitors stepped up in the third and piled the pressure on. While the quarter remained even, the Antrim legs started to tire. Mostly, that is, for R Reid took off like a 100-metre sprinter to kill off an Owls attack successfully, keeping the Antrim lead intact for now.

But halfway through the third the Owls pressure paid off and they equalled the scoreline, 1-1.

They maintained that pressure through the final quarter too and took the lead with nine minutes left on the clock. And two minutes later they did the same with a cleverly worked shot to go ahead 1-3.

And that’s how it ended, with Antrim battling hard against their higher league opponents for three quarters and running out of steam just before the end.

It was a fantastic match to watch, and thanks were extended to the Owls for travelling to Antrim. There were thanks also to Jonny Clarkson for officiating.

Coach Paul Whiteside was impressed with his squad’s performance and it wasn’t easy to select just one performance for his Player of the Match. So, he settled on a joint award to Dawn Kennedy who was outstanding on goals and Fern McDermott who chased every ball.

Both teams also send their best wishes to and wish a speedy recovery for the Antrim player that took an injury defending a penalty corner.

Ballyclare Ladies

Not satisfied with just one match this week, the Antrim Ladies were back in action on Saturday, this time visiting Ballyclare Ladies.

Like Antrim, Ballyclare fielded a team comprising players from various teams (1st, 2nd and 3rd XI teams). And since Ballyclare’s teams play in higher leagues than Antrim, nobody expected this to be a walk in the sun.

Dawn Kennedy started in nets again. The back four were Kerrie Clarkson, Reaghan Reid, Caitlin Robinson, and Rihanna McKenna. In midfield were Kirsty Clark, Lois Thompson, and Katy Smyth. The starting forwards were Lorna Murphy, Ella Naylor, and Jacqui Robinson. And starting on the bench were Anna Kane, Jodi, Reid, and Lucy Graham.

The heat was sweltering despite their being no afternoon sun, and everyone expected this to play a part in testing fitness and endurance.

Naylor was quick to action, getting the first shot of the game just as the whistle stopped blowing to start things.

Antrim were clearly out to win, and the pressure continued until Robinson gave Antrim the lead after collecting a perfect pass from Murphy with five minutes left in the quarter. And they doubled their lead three minutes later when Murphy got one of her own.

Not content, Robinson got her second with one minute left in the quarter, giving Antrim a 0-3 lead by the first whistle.

The second was end-to-end and Ballyclare hinted at their class with a huge run up the right to attack quickly and score, leaving Antrim chasing behind.

Antrim wouldn’t sit back though, and Naylor got on the scoresheet in the third quarter scoring a beautiful solo goal, Antrim now 1-4 ahead.

The match started to heat up as Ballyclare fought to get into contention, but Antrim’s Kennedy stopped almost everything they could throw at her.

Then Naylor notched up another as Robinson fired a ball from just inside her own half towards Naylor in the home D, who made sure it was going only one place.

Three minutes into the final quarter Murphy got another, making the scoreline now 1-6 in Antrim’s favour and Robinson, Naylor, and Murphy all just one away from a hat trick which they sorely wanted.

And with seven minutes left in the match any one of them could have achieved that as Robinson fired a quick ball across the goal mouth for Naylor and Murphy to chase, only to hit the ground as Ballyclare defenders also jumped to prevent it.

But they didn’t have long to wait before Naylor got her third, collecting a pass from R Reid who had found space and time to direct a perfect ball Naylor-ward.

Antrim were now 1-7 ahead with minutes to go, when Ballyclare picked up a late consolation goal to end the match 2-7.

This was a dominant display by the Antrim Ladies and they settled new players into the 2025/26 squad.

And it ended with a fitting Player of the Match award going to new captain, Lois Thompson leading the charge all match long.