Senior League 3: DLHC 1XI 2-3 Limavady
Since coming down from Senior Two a couple of seasons ago Limavady have proved themselves to be consistent contenders at the top of the Senior 3 table, narrowly missing out on promotion at the end of last year and scoring goals for fun.

Donaghadee have found their northwest opponents tricky to contain in past matches but it is a measure of how much the Dee team has improved that this was a closely fought affair with only one goal between the sides at the final whistle.

Limavady gave themselves a two goal cushion in the first half but with the half drawing to a close Kerrie Turtle pulled one back for the Dee to reignite the hope going into the second period.

There was further joy for Donaghadee when Leanna McGimpsey-Young scored an emphatic penalty flick into the roof of the Limavady net and that saw Donaghadee hunker down and pack the defence as the aimed to close out the game for a hard-fought but richly deserved draw. 

Indeed it looked very much as though Donaghadee was going to hold on for the point until a late penalty corner was scored by the visitors to bag them the three points in what was a hugely entertaining game between two sides determined to play good hockey.

Despite the late defeat, coach Willie McAdam was really pleased with the work rate of the team as a whole, with the result only moments away from being a good point against one of the best sides in the league. Leanna was awarded Star Player by the team and she passed on thanks to Deborah Gilmour for umpiring. The 1XI are next in action away to Club KV in the Intermediate Cup to be played on Monday night at Shawsbridge.

Junior League 9A: DLHC 2XI 8-0 NICS
Donaghadee Seconds returned to home ground last Saturday when they took on NICS in what was easily the wettest game of the season yet.

The first quarter was evenly matched with both teams settling into the horrible conditions. Eleven minutes in and Donaghadee made a break with Leanna McGimpsey-Young and Katie McKee charging up the pitch at great speed. Leanna fired the ball across the circle perfectly to meet the end of Katie’s stick and she gladly tipped the ball neatly past the NICS keeper and into the goal. Just before the whistle blew to mark the end of the first quarter, Leanna scored a cracking goal from the top of the circle to end the quarter 2-0 to Donaghadee.

Early in the second quarter defender Lisa Higgins found herself in the attacking 23, crossing the ball into Emily Morrison and Carmen Van Der Schyff who worked tirelessly to create chances in the NICS circle. Their play was rewarded when Donaghadee won a penalty corner and Caroline Davison scored to make the score 3-0 at the end of the first half.

Coming into the second half the Dee girls kept up the hard work with Natalie Jamieson and Laura Jackson working their way up the pitch smoothly, avoiding tackles from NICS defence. They combined well with Katie who bagged her second of the day to make the score 4-0. That was closely followed by Emily scoring her second goal of the game: 5-0 to the Dee.

The race was now well and truly on to see who would be the first to score the first hat trick of the season. Katie was first to the milestone with her third goal but not to be outdone, Emily got her third off the back of a penalty corner – 2 hattricks in one game!

All the scoring from the Donaghadee forwards meant that defenders Deborah Gilmore, Zoe Turtle, Floss Scott and keeper Emma McGimpsey-Young had a quieter week than in some recent matches but they remained alert so that when NICS broke, they were able to return the ball to Row Moore in midfield to keep the pressure away from the Donaghadee goal.

Despite the 8-0 final score, full credit to the NICS keeper, who made it difficult for Donaghadee, making numerous really strong saves throughout the match. This week’s Star Player was jointly awarded to Emily and Katie – well done for the hat tricks! 

Thank you to Nicola Patton for umpiring and all support who braved the horrible conditions. Donaghadee’s 2XI are away to Roughfort on Saturday to face Owls in the first round of the Junior Cup with a 3pm pass back. All support welcome.

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