Adam Mckendry

The curtain has come down on the career of one of the greatest players to ever represent the Belfast Giants after defenceman Mark Garside announced his retirement from ice hockey after an incredible 18-year career.

Captaining Northern Ireland on my World Cup of Darts bow an honour: Josh Rock

Transitioning to a post-playing career can be tough for professional sportsmen but not for Mark Garside. After all, he’s been preparing for this for about five years.

New Belfast Giants netminder Tom McCollum says he’s relishing the chance to work with Jackson Whistle – but insists he’s arriving at the SSE Arena with designs on limiting the Great Britain international’s ice time as much as possible.

Gavin Kelly proudly displays his Belfast Giants scrapbook as we sit down for coffee, and so he should. The robust book might be the most accurate telling of the Giants’ history there is, littered with newspaper clippings and pictures from their formation to the present day.

Ireland captain Sean Murray rued their missed chances as India clung on for victory in their Pool B clash at the Olympics in Paris, which leaves Ireland needing results from their last two games to reach the Quarter-Finals.

Mark Cooper has had a busy summer, between trying his hand behind the scenes with the financial team at the SSE Arena and jetting off to Greece and Italy, as well as a quick trip back to his native Canada.

Two goals and four points in three pre-season games is a good return for any Belfast Giants player but when you’re Mack Stewart trying to show what you can do, it’s a significant step.

Ulster’s Sevens star Zac Ward will get a chance to impress Ireland head coach Simon Easterby first-hand having been named in Emerging Ireland’s starting line-up for the opening game of their tour to South Africa.

The calendar has ticked over to November but the action continues in the Sports Direct Premiership with two more massive games on Friday night.