ICE HOCKEY: Giants forward Towe hitting the right spot with coffee venture

THERE’S something of a revolution going on in Northern Irish coffee shops.

Nowadays it seems that if you’re to open a successful café, it has to be run by someone who is also a professional athlete, as has been the case for two of the most recent stores to appear on the scene.

Guilt Trip, on Orangefield Lane in east Belfast, is jointly run by Ulster Rugby players Callum Black and Darren Cave, while Bangor’s latest eatery is Cargo Coffee, where Belfast Giants forward Matt Towe is involved.

The English skater now lives in Belfast with his wife Claire and is in his third season with the Giants, and has started to lay down roots with the creation of an idea that first reared his head nearly 18 months ago.

A unique concept, Cargo Coffee is a drive thru coffee shop that operates out of several repurposed shipping containers on the Belfast Road, with business booming since its opening this day last week.

“It’s going good!” Towe smiles. “It’s been a long time in coming so it’s good to finally get it off the ground now. It’s also great to get all the support from the boys and the Giants fans, it means a lot to me.

“We all like our coffee and it’s going down well with the lads. It’s only going to help us grow, and I love it in Belfast so it’ll only help me set up shop here.

“Ours is a drive thru concept so it’s a bit of a niche market at the moment and hopefully it can do well.”

With Cargo Coffee off to a very positive start, it’s very much mirroring the Giants’ form in the Elite League as they continue on their mammoth run of away games in the lead up to Christmas.

Last week’s wins at Manchester and Sheffield took the Giants to 5-1 for the road trip and back to the summit of the league standings, albeit having played several more games than their rivals around them.

Still, with a remarkable 21 games to be played at the SSE Arena post-Christmas, there’s definitely cause for Adam Keefe and his side to be optimistic if they can emerge in January within touching distance of the likes of Nottingham and Cardiff.

Not that there’s no optimism right now, as Towe explains, with their bounceback from an incredibly off-colour performance in Guildford a week previous something they’re particularly happy with.

“After that loss in Guildford it was tough for a few days, that one hurt, but to rebound like that and get the four points in Sheffield - where we played really well for 60 minutes - and the night before, Manchester is a tough place to go, so to get the points there was great too.

“It’s good to enjoy that for the week, you come in and there’s a lot of laughs and smiles about the place, but now it’s back to work.”

Back to work starts in Fife tomorrow night with a trip to the Flyers in the first leg of their Challenge Cup quarter-final before travelling south to Nottingham for an Elite League clash at the National Ice Centre.

While the Sunday game against the Panthers is arguably the bigger game given it’s a meeting of the top two in the league, attention is firmly on their knockout tie in Scotland first.

Having already done the double over Todd Dutiame’s side in their Challenge Cup group, confidence will be high in the Belfast camp that they can take a positive result back for the second leg in January, something Towe says they’re aiming for.

“Fife’s always a tough place to go and they’ve had a great start, they have a few games in hand so they could be right up there in the league,” Towe enthuses.

“They don’t have as many bodies as us but the bodies they do have are really good so we have to go in there and respect them but also play our style of hockey.

“We’re going out to win every game, we’re not going to go there and be passive and come back with a draw and be pleased with that, we want to come back winning the tie.”

- CARGO COFFEE is now open at 16 Belfast Road, Bangor on weekdays from 7am to 4pm and Saturdays from 8am to 3pm

IRISH LEAGUE: Round-Up 02/12/17

Ards 0-2 Glenavon

TEN-MAN Glenavon showed some great resiliency to tough out a 2-0 win away to Ards at the Bangor Fuels Arena and keep up the pressure on the top two.

A first period of half chances saw both sides test the goalkeepers at each end, but neither team had a clear cut opportunity to open the scoring.

However, the hosts got a big boost when Glenavon centre-back Andrew Doyle was given his marching orders after receiving a second yellow, taking the Lurgan Blues down to ten men.

Even with less men, Glenavon were showing their superiority and continued to press on the Ards goal, eventually getting their reward with the opener.

It was Marc Sykes who put Adam Foley in on goal, with the winger putting home a fine finish, and only a minute later the teams were level on players as Johnny Taylor picked up a second booking for the hosts.

That gave the visitors even more momentum and Sykes doubled their lead in spectacular fashion, beating five players in midfield and managing to finish to secure the three points.

Ballymena United 2-1 Ballinamallard United

INJURY depleted Ballymena United heaped further misery on bottom side Ballinamallard United with a 2-1 win at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

It was the hosts who were on top for most of the first half, however they couldn’t make their dominance count as they wasted some good chances to open the scoring.

But they did lead at the interval, a penalty converted by Tony Kane giving them the advantage after a clumsy challenge inside the box.

15 minutes into the second half they doubled their lead, Johnny McMurray firing the cross into the box and Cathair Friel finishing coolly for the Sky Blues.

The Mallards did pull one back with five minutes to go to make it interesting, Gary Armstrong finishing a low cross across the box, but the hosts held on for the three points.

Carrick Rangers 1-3 Coleraine

DESPITE being off-colour, Coleraine maintained their lead at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership with a 3-1 win over Carrick Rangers at the Belfast Loughshore Arena.

It looked like standard fare for the league leaders when they took the lead after just four minutes, midfielder Ciaron Harkin lacing home from the edge of the box.

But the hosts equalised in spectacular fashion, Mark Edgar curling a beautiful free-kick into the top corner leaving Chris Johns with no chance.

The sides were seemingly heading in at the break level, but the Bannsiders had other plans and returning midfielder Brad Lyons rose highest to nod home at a first half injury time corner.

The second half was an even affair up to the 70 minute mark when Coleraine got that key third goal, Jamie McGonigle tapping home after the ball ricocheted off the crossbar to make sure of the win.

Crusaders 1-0 Glentoran

Crusaders looked sluggish early in the game, and they should have been behind when Robbie McDaid took a poor back pass around Brian Jensen only to put it into the side netting.

But the hosts improved as the half went on and they had a chance of their own to equalise, Billy Joe Burns’ free kick nodded inches wide by Jordan Owens just before the half.

Eight minutes into the second half the Crues took the lead, Jordan Forsythe side footing home from the edge of the box after Elliott Morris had make an excellent point blank stop only moments before.

The Glens were handed a lifeline with a quarter of an hour to go when Howard Beverland received a second yellow for trying to block a free-kick, reducing Crusaders to ten men.

But Stephen Baxter’s men held on for the win, which prompted ugly scenes at the end of the game as players and staff from both sides clashed on the halfway line, fortunately with no serious consequences.

Linfield 1-0 Dungannon Swifts

LINFIELD scraped a 1-0 win over Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park behind yet another impressive goalkeeping performance from Roy Carroll.

Despite Linfield looking the better of the two sides there was nothing to separate them at the break, with the Blues having a few half-chances the most to talk about.

Indeed, it took almost 25 minutes of the second half for the dominant Blues to take the lead, Andy Waterworth getting the goal by heading in a cross from Matty Clarke.

Carroll was in inspired form and pulled off three excellent stops to deny the Swifts an equaliser that perhaps they deserved, with the defending champions holding on for the victory.

Warrenpoint Town 1-3 Cliftonville

BARRY Gray’s Cliftonville continue their stunning form as they grabbed a 3-1 win away to Warrenpoint Town to consolidate their top five spot in the league.

After just a couple of minutes the Reds led, Joe Gormley racing onto a ball beyond the last defender and finishing low into the bottom corner.

Sean Mackle equalised for the hosts in style, finding space in the box and lifting the ball over the advancing Brian Neeson to bring Warrenpoint back to level terms.

But in almost identical fashion Cliftonville retook the lead, this time Rory Donnelly taking the pass through and sliding the ball under the keeper for the go ahead goal.

Try as they might, Warrenpoint couldn’t find an equaliser to steal what would have been an impressive point given the opposition, but instead the visitors ensured the win.

It was another of the Reds’ many Donnellys, Jay, who grabbed the clincher, wandering through the scrambling Point defence to slot home and cap a good win away from home.

GAA: Dr McKenna Cup draw made

DEFENDING champions Tyrone will be up against Cavan, Antrim and St Mary’s to begin their Dr McKenna Cup defence this year.

The Ulster champions will be expected to progress from their section after the favourable draw as they look to make it an astounding seven title wins on the bounce, however they will face considerable opposition in Sigerson Cup champions St Mary’s.

In Section B, Down will have to navigate their way past Armagh, Derry and Ulster University in a competitive group, while Section C will be contested by Donegal, Fermanagh, Monaghan and Queen’s University.

The tournament begins on Wednesday 3 January, with the following games played on Sunday 7 January and Wednesday 10 January. The semi-finals will take place on Wednesday 14 January with the final on the weekend of the 20-21 January.

Section A: Tyrone, Cavan, Antrim, St Mary’s
Section B: Down, Armagh, Derry, Ulster University
Section C: Donegal, Fermanagh, Monaghan, Queen’s University

RUGBY: Bowe not done yet for Ulster

IT must be frustrating for someone who still harbours Ireland aspirations to be asked to praise one of his rivals for the jersey.

And yet, as Tommy Bowe fields the inevitable questions about the rising star that is Jacob Stockdale, the international veteran doesn’t shy away with his compliments.

“He’s continued on the form he’s shown with Ulster,” begins the 33-year old Monaghan native. “At the weekend, to come away with two tries is fantastic to see.

“He’s got such a spring in his step and he’s looking confident. He’s such a young guy with not a huge number of caps for Ireland, so to have that sort of confidence and be able to back himself to go on the outside and take people on shows the quality he has, it shows what a good place he’s in at the minute.

“He’s been the stand out performer of the autumn internationals in terms of the young guys coming in, and he has so much potential. I think he’s only showing the start of what he’s got.

“He’s played very well, he deserves his place and it’s up to us to push him for those other spots.”

Other wingers aside, it’s time to focus on Bowe himself, who is in the middle of something of a renaissance within the Ulster team having already made it into double figures in appearances after several troublesome years with injury.

Admittedly some of those appearances have had to come in the centre, a position he’ll once again inherit tonight away at the Dragons (kick-off 7:35pm), but the experienced Ulsterman won’t mind as long as he gets an extended run in the line-up.

Opportunities have been frequent. Initially in due to injury to Craig Gilroy, Bowe has shown signs of the winger that dominated for years in the green of his country, and he says he’s delighted to be playing.

“It’s great, I’m really enjoying my rugby,” he grins. “The body feels good, and just to have that consistency again of playing week on week. I’m enjoying training, I’m playing with a smile on my face.

And, now we’ve entered the lottery season that is contract renewal time, at 33 will he be going to the negotiating table for a new deal at his province?

“I hope so,” he says, knowing that it’s highly likely any deal done will be with Ulster as opposed to the IRFU this time around.

“If you had asked me last year I maybe would have been thinking, ‘Ah jeez, I don’t know if I can.’ But the way my body feels now, I feel great. I’d love to keep going.

“I’ve had my share of injuries the last few years, and that always makes you question, but the way things are at the minute if I can keep pushing hard, keep competing with the young fellas, I don’t want to give up just yet, no.”

So, with retirement firmly on the backburners for now, the focus is solely on the Dragons tonight as Ulster aim to make it three consecutive league wins - not that their recent performances would suggest that.

Two rather underwhelming outings against the Southern Kings and Benetton have yielded nine points but not a lot to be excited about - something the Ulster squad are just as aware of as the baying fans in the stands are.

With a massive period coming up after this game featuring four European games and three interpros all before the end of January, arguably just winning at Rodney Parade won’t be enough - a performance to give fans, players and coaches alike something to cheer about would be welcomed.

“So far this season we’re going okay in the league,” Bowe points out - which is true, Ulster currently sit third in Conference B of the Guinness PRO14 with seven wins from nine, even if public perception isn’t so positive.

“We’re happy with where we’re at, and we’ve played some tough games, but this block is going to really test us and show how good we are, show where we are.

“There’s a belief. We know within the squad we have the team, we have the players, we have the support, we have everything there and our gameplan is getting us into positions where we can put teams under huge stress but we’re not maybe putting that final pass away and making small mistakes.

“Certainly I have the belief we have the team that can win the two matches in Europe and we can go into the interpros and win those two. It’s a case of cutting out those small mistakes that are killing us.”

As for tonight, against a Dragons side who have seen improvement under new coach Bernard Jackman and with former Wales international Gavin Henson running things at fly half, it’s about making sure Rodney Parade doesn’t prove another away slip up.

“I think this is their first home game in a while, so they’ll be going flat out,” Bowe says of the Newport outfit. “They’ll be coming out fighting. It’s a big game.

“For us, we need to concentrate on ourselves. We’ve been shooting ourselves in the foot a bit, but if we can get our stuff right, play some good rugby and get our defence firing then I think we can give them a good game.”

IRISH LEAGUE: Linfield sign striker Kurtis Byrne

LINFIELD have announced the signing of striker Kurtis Byrne from St Pat’s Athletic until the end of the season.

The 27-year old will join on January 1 once the transfer window opens and the club can apply for international clearance, meaning he’ll be available for their trip to league leaders Coleraine on New Year’s Day.

Blues boss David Healy has made no secret of his desire to strengthen up front this season, which he has already done by bringing in Louis Rooney and Brandon Adams to supplement the losses of Paul Smyth to QPR and Andy Waterworth in the early part of the season to injury.

However, Rooney has only scored seven goals while Adams is yet to get off the mark this season leaving Healy still needing more firepower up front.

In Byrne he gets a striker who has scored 34 goals across five seasons in the League of Ireland for Dundalk, Bohemians and St Pat’s, and the Dubliner will be able to adapt to the style of the Irish League.

“I'm delighted Kurtis has agreed to come and sign for us,” Healy commented. “There was quite a lot of interest in him from League of Ireland clubs and having seen him play last season for St.Pats, we feel he will be a really good addition to our forward line.

“He's a good age for a striker at 27 and he comes with a lot of experience gained at Dundalk, Bohemians and St Pats, as well as at Hibs in Scotland. 

“He's technically very good and what's particularly pleasing, having spoken to him at length, is that he really wants to come and play here. 

“I'm really looking forward to working with him once he joins the squad and I know our supporters will give him a warm welcome once he comes onboard. 

“I can assure our supporters that I will continue to search for other quality players who will strengthen our squad and increase the competition levels within our squad."

ICE HOCKEY: Cardiff winner only the start for Rutherford

FOR David Rutherford, the chance to return to Belfast was one he was never expecting, nor even thinking about.

Having been let go at the end of last season and subsequently retiring, it seemed like the end of a year-and-a-half partnership between the Canadian and the Belfast Giants, but fate tends to always have a twist.

A call from former team-mate and now head coach Adam Keefe changed Rutherford’s plans of settling down.

“I’d been working with my family over the summer in land development,” Rutherford explains. “I’d also been working with the hockey academy (back home), doing skills and development for their Junior A programme.

“Honestly it all then happened by fluke! Keefer reached out to me as a joke when there were so many injuries, we talked about it, I had no real interest in coming back, but then as more and more time went on, I talked about it with my family and my girlfriend who said, ‘Why don’t you go and finish out the year, there’s only half a season left.’

“I had talked to a few teams about a few options but it was easier coming here, with Jim (Vandermeer) here and his wife Steph, I’ve grown up my whole life with them. It felt more homey so it made the transition easier.”

Rutherford has landed in Northern Ireland at exactly the right time, providing much needed injury cover with the Giants missing forward trio Dustin Johner, John Kurtz and Jonathan Ferland, the latter of whom is suspended.

The 30-year old is a consistent points producer - he scored 57 points in 60 games for the Giants in his last stint - and has already made an immediate impact on his return to the roster.

In just his second game since arriving in Belfast, Rutherford proved the difference between the Giants and the Cardiff Devils, firing past Ben Bowns in a thrilling shootout win in Wales on Sunday.

To say he’s happy would be an understatement, but the Ladner native believes that there’s a lot more to come from him in teal this year.

“I really wanted the opportunity to shoot again because I knew I wasn’t going to miss twice,” the forward states confidently. “Penalty shots are one of the things I enjoy most so when it went to extra frames again I asked Keefer for the chance to finish it.

“To be honest, all weekend everything just felt a bit off. I felt a step behind everyone - stick-handling, skating, speed, everything. But I’m going to be working as hard as I can Monday to Friday to get to where I need to be.”

The baptism of fire continues this weekend - while the rest of the roster have seen both Milton Keynes and Guildford earlier this season, Rutherford will be getting his first experience of the Elite League newbies.

It’s the third game of Belfast’s remarkable ten-game road trip, and another weekend like their four point haul against Coventry and Cardiff would be the ideal result for Adam Keefe’s men.

But for Rutherford, it’s a chance to catch up with a former team-mate in former Giants defenseman Matt Nickerson, now plying his trade for the impressive Lightning.

“I think a lot of guys underestimated them when they came into the league,” Rutherford says. “Milton Keynes has only lost one home game this season so they’re doing things right over there.

“It’ll also be interesting playing against Nicker - the last time I got to play against him was when I was at Edinburgh and we talked a lot of c*** so I’m excited to play against the big man again!

“But we need to be prepared and have a good practice tomorrow so we’re ready to ramp it up (on Saturday).”