21/1/17 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 2-2 Kilkeel

Posted on 23/01/2017 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior 3: Donaghadee LHC 1XI 2-2 Kilkeel LHC

Donaghadee LHC 1XI welcomed Senior 3 title contenders Kilkeel to BGS last Saturday, coming into this third game of 2017 having picked up valuable points thanks to two entertaining draws against Bangor and Ballynahinch.

Kilkeel were undoubtedly going to be a different ball game indeed having comprehensively beaten Donaghadee 4-0 earlier in the season but the confidence is starting to flow in the red and green sticks as the season has progressed and there was a quiet optimism about the team before pass back.

Captain Amy Long had a strong team at her disposal and, with first pass back and the sun on their backs, the Dee were quickly into their collective stride. Claire Stewart, Paige Reilly and Amy were playing some lovely hockey round the back just out of reach of the Kilkeel forwards to provide the platform for midfield to press up.

The impetus for going forward was typified by good interplay between Kerry Kennedy and Helen Hooks, scorer of the first goal, when Helen was set free from the middle of the pitch at full pelt into the Kilkeel circle with a trademark burst forward. Helen’s initial shot was saved but the forward momentum meant she met the rebound on its way out and, without breaking stride, was able to tuck the ball past the keeper to give Donaghadee the lead.

Kilkeel’s fighting spirit was in evidence moments later when they equalised with almost the next move of the game – their strong running and organised play stretching Donaghadee to work the opening from which they scored. Back came Donaghadee to win themselves a penalty corner, with Ali Lawther teeing up Carolyn Scott for the strike which flew past the helpless Kilkeel keeper. 2-1 to Donaghadee going into the break.

It might have been breathless stuff but both sides were playing some outstanding hockey to entertain the watching spectators and half time gave everyone a chance to regroup. The frenetic pace didn’t lessen much in the early stages of the second half, with Donaghadee defending high and Lisa Higgins and Ali slotting in and adding their defensive nous to give Donaghadee a period of sustained pressure, rendering Dee keeper Nicola Patton an untroubled bystander on several occasions. Indeed up front, a pinpoint pass from Carolyn put Kerrie Turtle through and moments later the roles were reversed, but neither forward overly troubled the visitors’ keeper.

Emily Morris and Ruth Kennedy both found joy down the wide channels for the Dee but again, solid defending from the visitors kept the score to 2-1 until late in the match. Much as Donaghadee won a late penalty corner last week, Kilkeel were awarded the same this week – and they duly scored with only minutes remaining. Despite valiant efforts in the dying moments, the Dee were unable to take advantage with the final score 2-2. Thanks to Brian McKee for umpiring. The 1XI are next in action away to Newry on Saturday, pass back 1pm.

The 2XI’s match away to Queen’s 5XI was postponed due to a frozen pitch so they next play on Saturday away to Coleraine.

Miss last week’s report on all the action against Ballynahinch? Read it here >>>

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14/1/17 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 1-1 Ballynahinch 1XI and Donaghadee LHC 2XI 0-2 Ballynahinch 2XI

Posted on 16/01/2017 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior League 3: Donaghadee LHC 1XI 1-1 Ballynahinch 1XI

Thanks to the cold snap across the Province many of Senior 3’s matches were called off on Saturday but true to form the pitch at Bangor Grammar was in perfect playing condition with both Donaghadee teams in action in the double header against Ballynahinch. The 1XI were first up, with only a point separating the two sides in the table before pass back.

With Donaghadee winning by a single goal in this fixture at the start of the season there was never going to be much in this game, and both teams had chances early on to make their mark. Siobhan McAdam in the Dee goal needed to be on her mettle early on to push away a tentative effort from a Ballynahinch attack and at the other end Carolyn Scott was denied by the Hinch keeper deflecting the ball on to the post and away to safety.

With much of Ballynahinch’s first half play going down the Dee left, Sarah Louise Baird and Emily Morris were kept busy defensively, but both were also able to give the visiting rearguard plenty to think about with their attacking forays and balls forward for Kerrie Turtle and Caitland Crockett to latch on to. Determined defending from Amy Long and Claire Stewart allowed nothing through and there was no score going into the break.

Ballynahinch made the most of a numerical advantage at the back post early in the second half however with a Hinch midfielder sneaking forward to connect with a cross from the right to put the ball firmly in the back of the Dee net. Despite continued endeavour and a number of attacking penalty corners, Donaghadee just couldn’t find a way to unlock the Ballynahinch defence to draw level.

With two minutes signalled, the Dee won yet another penalty corner and with a swift injection by Paige Reilly, the ball was worked by Ali Lawther through to Kerry Kennedy. With everything seeming to go into slow motion, she took the strike and despite a hefty deflection from a defender, the ball flew past the wrong-footed Hinch keeper to give the red and green a deserved equaliser, much to the delight of the watching Dee spectators.

With seconds remaining, there was only time to take the restart before the final whistle was blown on another entertaining, end to end match, and another valuable point for Donaghadee. Thanks to Brian McKee for umpiring and the 1XI are next in action at home to Kilkeel on Saturday, pass back 1pm.

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Natalie Jamieson intercepts for the Dee

Junior League 7: Donaghadee LHC 2XI 0-2 Ballynahinch 2XI

It was then the turn of Donaghadee LHC 2XI to take on their Ballynahinch counterparts. In similar fashion to the preceding match, play was evenly contested with both teams keen to get an early goal on the score sheet. Karen Fegan linked well with Carmen van der Schyff in a mighty battle in midfield as they tried to set the Dee forwards free.

Vickie Pollock was the first to try her luck, with a shot that just narrowly whistled agonsingly the wrong side of the post. Ballynahinch then took their turn to attack but a strong defensive effort from Lisa Alexander, Deborah Gilmore and Georgia Ferguson prevented the visitors getting through.

Going into second half Ballynahinch upped the tempo of their game but Lynsey Sloan was having a cracking game in midfield to break up the threats before they fully materialised. Rebecca Bolton then made a superb run to find Vicky O’Neill in the circle but the Hinch defence was on form to clear it. Natalie Jamieson also had a chance but the visitors held firm.

Their strong defensive platform gave the Ballynahinch forwards impetus as the match wore on and despite numerous saves from Donaghadee keeper Janice McVeigh, they finished the match 2-0 to the good. Thanks to Paige Reilly for umpiring. The 2XI play Queen’s 5XI away on Saturday.

Miss last week’s match report for the 1XI v Bangor and the 2XI v Instonians? Read it here >>>

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7/1/17 Bangor 1-1 Donaghadee LHC 1XI and Instonians 2-1 Donaghadee LHC 2XI

Posted on 08/01/2017 by Donaghadee LHC
photo-from-carolyn

Kerry K pulls the strings in midfield for the Dee

Senior League 3: Bangor 1-1 Donaghadee LHC 1XI
Honours even in new year local derby
There will certainly be no Christmas cobwebs left after this pacy, end to end encounter between the two 1XI sides of Donaghadee and Bangor. Having had a free weekend just before Christmas, Donaghadee opened their 2017 account having played no competitive hockey for almost a month, but there was no sign of any sluggishness in the opening stages of this match.

Kerrie Turtle was quick to test the home defence as she provided an early cross from the left for Carolyn Scott, but the resulting shot was fired tamely straight at the Bangor keeper. Bangor were quick to respond though a break from midfield, with Dee keeper Nicola Patton parrying away for Claire Stewart to clear from the centre back berth.

With the direction of play swinging back again, the wide players for Donaghadee were making good inroads, with Paige Reilly and Helen Hooks combining beautifully to keep things moving up the pitch on the left and Amy Long providing the platform for Emily Morris to use her pace on the right, but stout defending from Bangor kept any danger at bay.

Both sides pressed and probed in the first half but each defence was as determined as the other and there was no score as the first half drew to a close. Dee forward Caitland Crockett changed all that early in the second half with a well worked penalty corner by the Dee – her strike giving the home defence no time to react and finally the deadlock was broken.

Bangor came again, but again determined defending was the order of the day, with Lisa Higgins and Ali Lawther providing the cover in the defensive midfield positions and there was no way through for the home side. Then followed a spell where Donaghadee were down to 10 players: Claire took a nasty knock to the hand and was unable to continue, swiftly followed to the sideline by Kerry Kennedy whose knee got in the way of a lifted ball. Scrambled cover and a rearranging of positions required as Bangor did their best to take advantage but thankfully Kerry hobbled back to the action before any damage was done to the scoreline.

The frantic pace at which the majority of this match was played was evident as the game wore on: gaps began to appear as legs got heavier and, their speedy forwards having threatened to break on a couple of occasions, Bangor put together a move which split the Dee defence and left Nicola in goal with no chance as they got the equaliser.

Donaghadee had a couple of chances to snatch the winner in the dying moments but with the ball whistling agonisingly millimetres the wrong side the post, honours finished even in this new year derby.

Thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring. The 1XI are next in action at home on Saturday against Ballynahinch, pass back 1pm.

Junior League 7: Instonians 2-1 Donaghadee 2XI
Donaghadee LHC 2XI opened 2017 with a trip to Shaw’s Bridge on Friday night to take on Instonians 2XI. With only a point separating the two teams before pass back, this was always going to be a close encounter, and it didn’t disappoint.

Instonians won pass back and they were quick to get underway with immediate pressure placed on Donagahdee. Elle Fegan in midfield was on top form however to stop them from breaking through to the defence several times. More sustained pressure from the home side led to a penalty corner for Inst and they took advantage to go 1-0 up.

Going into second half Donagahdee began to grow in confidence and play became end to end: when Instonians went on the attack the Dee defensive line of Lisa Alexander, Georgia Ferguson and Deborah Gilmore were there to prevent the home side getting through with several fabulous clearances. Donaghadee stepped up a pace in attack too, with Vicky O’Neill combining with Karen Fegan to put pressure on the home keeper. Karen had time to take a shot which only narrowly missed sneaking inside the post.

Instonians came back again and with a penalty flick awarded for a goal-bound shot stopped by Debs’ shoulder on the line, the home side went two goals to the good. Donaghadee then showed tremendous spirit to turn the game around to dominate the match with Lisa Higgins setting up Vickie Pollock to take a shot. Her strike just narrowly missed the goal. Straight after, an Instonians clearance found Caitland Crockett and she linked well with Natalie Jamieson to work an opening. Their determination paid off and Caitland was able to finish well to give Donaghadee a lifeline.

Donagahdee were determined to find another goal and, with great team play, the attacking continued but the Instonians net minder had to make several saves to keep her side a goal ahead. Instonians had a couple of late chances of their own, but they found Dee keeper Siobhan McAdam up to the challenge and the final score finished 2-1 to Instonians.

Thanks to Willie McAdam for umpiring. The 2XI are next in action against Ballynahinch 2XI at home on Saturday, pass back 2.30pm.

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December 2016: A DLHC Winter’s Tale

Posted on 19/12/2016 by Donaghadee LHC
DLHC 1926/27

Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club 1926/27 Back: F Mairs, Q Thompson, M Archer, P Mairs, N Angus, M Mairs Middle: N Stevenson, E Moore, Miss J Brown (President), L Tedford (Capt), T Thomas Front: M Andrews, R Stevenson

How wonderful to receive the following email from Robert Petersen in Canada, whose grandmother played hockey for the Dee in the 1920s. What a lovely note to finish on for Christmas – Merry Christmas from all at DLHC!

It’s easy for us to sometimes forget who we are and where we came from, and then out of the blue someone shares a photo from days (evens decades gone by) that reminds us how close we are, regardless of the time or distance between us.

My mother immigrated from Northern Ireland to Canada in 1956.  Her mother, Eileen Boyd, passed away a few years later in her hometown of Donaghadee.

Last year my mother had a stroke and very few images bring back memories as strong as do those of “home” in The Dee.  Today over a cup of tea in their kitchen in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, we happened across a photo of the DLHC circa 1926, during our almost daily trip down memory lane.  Thanks to the magic of Google Earth we have “walked” past her old doorstep on Shore Street many times, and strolled along the other streets, while she has told us of her life in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s and that of her family from Donaghadee including:  Boyd’s, Moore’s and Fulton’s .

On your history page you share a photo of my grandmother’s hockey team, she Mrs. Eileen Boyd (nee Moore) is pictured middle row, second from the left.

Please have a happy, safe and blessed Christmas and receive my many thanks for posting such a nostalgic photo on your site.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, please share this with whom ever you see fit.

Warmest regards,

Robert (John Boyd) Petersen

PS.  This year there will be a contest (as there often is) at the family Christmas when my family sits for their Christmas meal.  It’ll be…from this DLHC photo, spot your great-grandmother and win this bottle of Irish whiskey. 

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17/12/16 Donaghadee LHC 2XI 1-2 Holywood

Posted on 19/12/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Junior League 7: Donaghadee LHC 2XI 1-2 Holywood
Last Saturday Donagahdee LHC 2XI played host to Holywood 2XI in their last match before the Christmas break.

Donaghadee started out strongly, dominating most of the play in the opening stages and keeping the Holywood defence on their toes. With a lot of pressure soaked up, Holywood then made a quick break, got through the Dee rearguard and against the run of play the visitors went 1-0 up.

Donaghadee kept their heads however and virtually from the restart Caitland Crockett drove the ball up the right hand side and crossed it to Vicky Pollock who took the shot on goal. The Holywood keeper was quick to react but the ball rebounded off the Holywood pads to find Vicky O’Neill poised on the far post to pop it in the back of the net, claiming her first goal for the club.

Play continued with the same intensity in a very evenly matched game but just before half time Holywood were awarded a penalty corner, taking full advantage of it to give them a 2-1 lead at half time.

The girls were happy with how they were playing and, determined to continue to fight for the goals they were deservedly due, the message at half time was more of the same.

There was little let up in the end to end action in the second half with every single player in red and green giving their best. Captain Janice McVeigh led by example at the back with several exemplary saves to clear the Dee lines effectively, with Lynsey Sloan and Lisa Alexander doing a great job of adding a steadying influence at the back.

Natalie Jamison and Rebecca Bolton made some great tackles to keep Holywood at bay, with Deborah Gilmore adding cover and Karen Fegan provided a number of balls through from midfield with her signature hits forward.

Donaghadee were desperately unlucky not to equalise when Carmen van der Schyff worked herself room in the opposing circle and Elle Fegan was also unlucky not to be on the score board. Final score 2-1 to Holywood. Thanks to Nicola Patton for umpiring. The 2XI are next in action away to Instonians on 7th January 2017.

The 1XI had a free week but thanks to results elsewhere, finish the year sitting 4th in Senior 3. They look forward to resuming league action away to Bangor on Saturday 7th January 2017.

Miss the report on the 1XI’s terrific Cup win against Dromore last week? Read it here >>

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10/12/16 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 6-0 Dromore

Posted on 12/12/2016 by Donaghadee LHC
photo-10-12-2016-13-48-21

Lisa’s foray into the opposition circle

Intermediate Cup Round 2: Donaghadee LHC 1XI 6-0 Dromore 3XI
With the heartening 4-1 result in the league against Parkview under the collective belts of Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club’s 1XI, there was a spring in the step as they took to the pitch on Saturday for the second round tie of the Intermediate Cup against Dromore 3XI – the team which put the Firsts out of the same competition last year when the match was decided on penalty flicks.

Missing last week’s double goalscorer Kerry Kennedy and midfield lynchpin Ali Lawther, the team welcomed back Ruth Coulter to central midfield – a position where she pulled the strings all afternoon for the Dee, showing no signs of having missed a number of games through work commitments. With tricky stick skills galore, Ruth picked out an early pinpoint pass to Carolyn Scott, with the forward crashing the ball over the Dromore keeper’s head into the roof of the net to give Donaghadee an early, and thoroughly deserved, lead.

The relentless pressure continued from the home side, with Donaghadee keeper Siobhan McAdam tellingly only called into action once in the first half. The forwards were beginning to find their groove, with forward Caitland Crockett driving down the right to square a ball for Kerrie Turtle to pop the second one home. Kerrie’s second quickly followed to give Donaghadee an excellent platform for the second half.

With Dromore trying vainly to get themselves back into the game, stout and determined defending from captain Amy Long, Paige Reilly and Lynsey Sloan kept the blue tide at bay, and provided midfield maestro Helen Hooks and young Vicky O’Neill to sweep forward at will. Both were involved in the build up to Donaghadee’s fourth and fifth goals, with Kerrie and Caitland providing the finishing touches. Lisa Higgins was then unlucky not to get more from her annual burst into the opposition circle; her shot whistling just wide of the Dromore keeper’s right hand post.

Carolyn was on hand to add the sixth and final goal in the dying minutes to give Donaghadee a thoroughly deserved victory as the 1XI go into the Christmas break. Thanks to Mike Smyth and Brian McKee for umpiring. The 1XI are next in action away to Bangor on Saturday 7th January 2017, while the 2XI welcome Holywood to Bangor Grammar on Saturday in their final game of 2016. Pass back is at 1pm and all support is welcome before the festivities of the club’s Christmas Dinner in Grace Neills.

Missed the Parkview and Pegasus match reports from last week? Read them here >>
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3/12/16 Parkview 1-4 Donaghadee LHC 1XI and Donaghadee LHC 2XI 0-4 Pegasus

Posted on 12/12/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior League 3: Parkview 1-4 Donaghadee LHC 1XI
Donaghadee 1st XI had several of their regular players unavailable this week, but the strength within the club was evident, with a heartening 4-1 win recorded.

Donaghadee started off strongly with great passing play around the back being driven by Captain Amy Long. Building from this, Donaghadee stepped up the pressure with relentless attacks up the right wing by Emily Morris. Several crosses into the circle were met by waiting attackers Kerrie Turtle and Caitland Crockett, but the Parkview keeper denied several great shots by both strikers. After continued pressure a perfect pass from midfielder Lynsey Sloan gave Kerry Kennedy the time and space to strike from the top of the circle making the score 1-nil to Donaghadee.

It wasn’t until the second half when Donaghadee really found their footing. With growing confidence, the passing play was switching from left to right through pivot Ali Lawther and midfielders Lynsey and Sarah. Ali took one of many quick frees in the attacking 25, fed a waiting Caitland in the circle whose strength on the ball saw a slap shot beating the Parkview keeper.

Donaghadee continued to press, winning several corners. A corner which broke down saw Donaghadee not panic, with slick fast passing from Emily to Kerrie T who sent the perfect ball to Paige on the post, who slotted the ball home to give the Dee a 3-0 lead.

Donaghadee underwent a period of Parkview pressure and conceded a couple of penalty corners, one of which was struck well leading to an unavoidable goal. 3-1, still in Donaghadee’s favour. The fourth and final goal for Donaghadee came from another penalty corner, where Kerry K stepped up to the top of the circle and slotted the ball at a snail’s pace into the right hand corner!

Special mention goes to Nicola Patton for a potential save of the season and young player Vicky O’Neill who debuted for the firsts and very much played her part in a great Donaghadee win. Thanks to Brian McKee for umpiring. The 1XI are next in action at home to Dromore in the second round of the Intermediate Cup on Saturday, pass back 1pm

Junior League 7: Donaghadee LHC 2XI 0-4 Pegasus 4XI
This match in the latest round of Junior 7 started with Donaghadee showing great determination and an eagerness to finally get some points on the board. Carmen van der Schyff set the tone early on when she linked well with Karen Fegan as Donaghadee probed for the opening. Vickie Pollock, back in a Dee shirt for her first match after the birth of her son, continued where she left off last season – putting pressure on the visiting defence to try an work an opening.

The Pegasus rearguard held firm however, swiftly turning defence to attack with young Georgia Ferguson showing great determination and skill to repel the attacks, with Lisa Alexander backing her up when required. The beleaguered Dee defence could only hold out for so long though, and a strong Pegasus attacking move culminated in the ball finding the back of the home net. 1-0 to Pegasus.

Rebecca Bolton was next to try her luck as Donaghadee pushed forward in search of the equaliser – she and Natalie Jamieson combining to switch defence to attack to set Sarah Harkness free in the circle. The Dee forward was able to get a shot away but the keeper was on hand to save again and keep her side’s clean sheet.

In a move which mirrored their first goal, Pegasus were able to double their lead just before half time and despite several fabulous saves from on form Donaghadee keeper Siobhan McAdam, the visitors added another two goals in the second half to run out comfortable winners. The 2XI now have a week off before they close for Christmas against Holywood 2XI at home on 17th December, pass back 1pm.

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26/11/16 Instonians P-P Donaghadee LHC 1XI and Owls 3-0 Donaghadee LHC 2XI

Posted on 28/11/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Junior League 7: Owls 3-0 Donaghadee LHC 2XI
With the 1XI’s match away to Instonians postponed due to a frozen pitch at Shaw’s Bridge, it was left to Donaghadee Ladies’ 2XI to fly the red and green flag at the weekend as they travelled to Roughfort to play Owls 2XI.

The teams were evenly matched in the early stages as both tried to gain a foothold in the game; Caitland Crockett combined with Captain Karen Fegan to find Karen’s daughter Elle in the attacking circle but her shot was well saved by the Owls keeper. Donaghadee’s other attacking schoolgirls were also keen to get in on the act with Natalie Jamieson, Rebecca Bolton and Vicky O’Neill all doing their best to keep the play up at the Owls end.

In the defensive half of the pitch Lisa Higgins and Lisa Alexander worked well in tandem to repel the attacks from the home side, with Lynsey Sloan and Georgia Ferguson also mopping up when required. Owls were quick to take advantage of a breakdown in play to take the lead towards the end of the first half.

Despite several valiant efforts by Dee keeper Janice McVeigh, the home side went on to add another two in the second half to give the score line an emphatic look, despite some lovely play from Donaghadee. Thanks to Nicola Patton for umpiring. The 2XI will be doing their utmost to get a valuable win on Saturday when they take on Pegasus 4XI at Bangor Grammar, pass back 1pm while the 1XI play Parkview away at 2.30pm.

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19/11/16 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 1-1 PSNI and CI 3-1 Donaghadee LHC 2XI

Posted on 21/11/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior League 3: DLHC 1XI 1-1 PSNI
Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club’s 1XI were looking to get back to winning ways against PSNI last weekend after a couple of difficult results following their impressive 4-1 demolition of Newry a number of weeks ago. Captain Amy Long had a full complement of players from which to choose and the starting 11 certainly weren’t holding anything back in the opening exchanges; a frenetic pace set early on by a Dee team keen to get on the score sheet.

Indeed crisp one-two passing in the midfield involving Helen Hooks, Kerry Kennedy and Emily Morris carved open a chance which PSNI were only able to repel by conceding a penalty corner. The resultant goalward shot from Carolyn Scott was stopped by a PSNI foot on the line and a penalty stroke was duly awarded. Kerry K bravely stepped up to take the shot but the PSNI keeper – an ex Ulster U21 netminder no less – met the challenge to keep the score at 0-0.

Donaghadee continued to batter at the visitors’ door and they got just reward moments later when Ali Lawther fed Caitland Crockett wide right of the attacking circle. The young forward was able to pick out Kerrie Turtle who bundled the ball over the line at the far post; superb to see her registering her second goal of the season.

The rest of the second half continued in much the same vein: PSNI were pinned deep in their own half with Dee backs Lisa Higgins, Paige Reilly and Claire Stewart all getting in on the act high up the pitch to try and consolidate the lead with a further goal. It wasn’t to be however with Donaghadee made to pay shortly before the end when a PSNI forward snuck a shot in through a crowd of players low to Dee keeper Nicola Patton’s right post to level the score at 1-1.  All in all a fair result, but Donaghadee were disappointed not to have taken more from this game. Thanks to Brian McKee for umpiring. Next up for the 1XI is Instonians away at Shaw’s Bridge on Friday night, pass back 7pm.

Junior League 7: CI 4XI 3-1 DLHC 2XI
On a bitterly cold Friday night at CIYMS in East Belfast, both the enthusiastic youngsters of Donaghadee LHC’s 2XI and CI 4XI were eager to get started to keep the cold at bay if nothing else.

Hungry to register a much needed win, three of Donaghadee’s school girls linked beautifully early on to put pressure on the home defence: Natalie Jamieson made a terrific break with Rebecca Bolton who was able to dispatch a great pass to find Elle Fegan in the circle. Elle was able to get a shot on goal but it was agonisingly just shy of the post.

The play was end to end, with both teams eager to find the breakthrough. Donaghadee’s defence of Lisa Alexander, Angela Parker and Georgia Fergsuson all made timely interventions to keep the home side from threatening Janice McVeigh’s goal. Mopping up in midfield were Deborah Gilmour and Lynsey Sloan, and they were linking well with another Dee youngster, Vicky O’Neill, as Donaghadee still searched for the elusive first goal.

CI were the first to break the deadlock but Donaghadee were quick to respond when Caitland Crockett went on a fine individual run, beating several defenders and rounding the CI keeper to unleash a brilliant shot to level the scoreline at 1-1.

Going into the second half, there was everything to play for and the Dee determination shone through, with Lisa Higgins on hand to put in a number of great tackles to stop the home side getting through. Captain Karen Fegan made a chance to put Donaghadee ahead but the ball just shaved the wrong side of the post again.

CI then had chances of their own and, with sustained pressure on the Donaghadee ranks, were able to round off the match by adding a further two goals to their tally. Final score 3-1 to CI. Thanks to Willie McAdam for umpiring. The 2XI are next in action against Owls at Roughfort, 1pm on Saturday.

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12/11/16 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 0-3 South Antrim and Donaghadee LHC 2XI 1-3 Malone

Posted on 14/11/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior 3: Donaghadee LHC 1XI 0-3 South Antrim LHC 1XI
With the rest of Senior 3 enjoying a week off, Donaghadee Ladies 1XI were in action against South Antrim in the fixture rearranged from mid October when a South player was injured and taken to hospital. Indeed, the Dee might have preferred a free week, given how the match panned out.

Utterly dominant for much of the first half, Donaghadee played some very pretty hockey in the middle half of the pitch, and even worked themselves a number of really good chances in the circle but wayward shooting was to prove their undoing. South Antrim then gave Donaghadee a lesson in clinical finishing not once but twice: two forays into the Donaghadee circle resulted in two goals for the visitors.

The match was much more evenly contested in the second half with South Antrim in search of another goal and sure enough, it came midway through the period. As Donaghadee pressed forward vainly to try and find an opening, South hit them on the break and stuck away their third goal. Final score 3-0 to South Antrim. Thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring. The 1XI are next in action at home to PSNI on Saturday, pass back 1pm.

Minor Cup Round 1: Donaghadee LHC 1-3 Malone
Donaghadee Ladies’ 2XI came flying out of the blocks in the first round of the Minor Cup on Saturday against Malone; the first attack from red and green came in the first few minutes of the game with Elle Fegan combining well with Carmen van der Schyff to find Vicky O’Neill in the circle – the youngster making her first start for Donaghadee with mum Nicky (former Donaghadee legend of many years!) proudly watching on the sideline. Vicky was able to get her shot on target only to have the Malone defence to clear it to deny a debut goal.

Donaghadee were quick to attack again with Natalie Jamieson off on a now trademark run bursting through the visiting defence; her shot just wide of the post. Malone then did some attacking of their own, putting the Dee defence of Lisa Alexander, Lynsey Sloan and Georgia Ferguson all making great clearances. The visitors weren’t giving up though and were able to get a shot away to put them 1-0 up.

With renewed determination, Donaghadee upped the pace with captain Karen Fegan picking out a pass to find Rebecca Bolton who in turn was able to link with Caitland Crockett. The forward was beautifully positioned to take a shot and she made no mistake in hammering it into the back of the net.

With Donaghadee having worked themselves back into contention Malone then exerted more pressure of their own but they found Dee keeper Janice McVeigh in great form to keep the attacks at bay.

With things all square at the restart, Malone found an extra gear to dominate the second half and add another two goals to their tally. Final score 3-1 to Malone and the Dee girls will now go into the Minor Plate in the new year. Many thanks to Willie McAdam for umpiring. The Seconds are back in league action away to CI on Friday night, pass back 7.30pm.

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