"Unbelievable..." Belfast Sports & Outdoors Tip by iaint

The reason for my 2nd trip to Belfast was that my son's ice hockey team had a game against the Junior Belfast Giants (under 16 level). It was a challenge game, rather than serious league or cup business.

They play at the Dundonald facility, in the leafy suburbs east of the city just past Stormont.

It was a good game to watch, and the locals were winning 5-4 with a couple of minutes left. Finely balanced is the technical term (quite appropriate for ice hockey, really).

Then suddenly it exploded. A Murrayfield player started the old "pushing and shoving" routine on a Belfast kid, then they dropped their gloves and helmets and went at it hell for leather. They fell over, knocked the referee down by accident, and landed on top of him (still punching away at each other). Next thing all 5 skaters on each team, plus the 2 goalies, are battling it out. Linesmen and referee trying to call a cease fire, but getting nowhere. Then the players on the bench are on the ice getting stuck in as well.

My son was one of those on the bench, and seemed to be enjoying the show until he realised he would have to join in!

Order was restored eventually, just as coaches and parents were thinking about squaring off...

Junior's team has played about 15 competitive games this season, with nothing worse than a bit of elbowing to cause offence. Why this when they play a "friendly"?

Anyway, more fun than church on a Sunday morning.

Equipment: A sense of perspective?

Address: 111 Old Dundonald Road, Belfast
Directions: in Dundonald, eastern 'burbs
Phone: 028 9080 9100
Theme: Other
Website: http://www.theicebowl.com