Evans sent!

The vastly experienced Evans is held in high regard throughout the Ulster hockey scene and joins from Banbridge.

Last season’s winners of the Premier League and Ulster Shield get their season under way this Saturday with a home game against Civil Service from 2.30pm.

They then welcome Randalstown to the Joey Dunlop Centre on Wednesday (from 7.30pm).

Both games are Ulster Shield fixtures.

Ballymoney manager Liz Lamont says the squad is ideally placed for another successful season.

“We are looking good,” she told Times Sport.

“We took part in a tournament in Armagh at the weekend and fielded a lot of younger players who performed well.

“We have a great crop of youngsters coming through at present.

“The future definitely looks bright for the club.”

Ballymoney performed well in Armagh at the Orchard Cup despite missing five players who were with Ulster at the UK School Games.

Katie Mullan, Gayle Adams, Emma Lynch, Jenna Holmes and Laura McCurdy were with the Ulster side who took silver at the event.

Without them their club went head-to-head in Armagh against the hosts, Elks and sides from Galway and the Netherlands, with the Dutch victorious overall despite losing to Ballymoney.

Watching from the sidelines was mum-to-be Bridget Cleland who is expecting before Christmas.

Asked whether Bridget was likely to make a return to hockey before the end of the season Liz replied: “I certainly hope so.”