5/11/16 Annadale 0-3 Donaghadee LHC 1XI and Donaghadee LHC 2XI 0-3 North Down

Posted on 07/11/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Junior League 7: Donaghadee LHC 2XI 0-3 North Down 5XI
Donaghadee Ladies 2XI were at home to North Down last Saturday and Donaghadee were straight into attacking mode with Lynsey Sloan using her skills to combine well with Row Moore to put North Down under pressure. The move worked Carmen van der Schyff in to the circle for a shot but her effort whistled just outside of the post.

North Down were steadily working their way back into the game and, with play end to end, they attacked with purpose. Donagahdee’s defence of Lisa Alexander, Suzie Ferguson and Georgia Ferguson worked well together to make several great clearances to keep the visitors out but North Down scored with two penalty corners in a row to go in to the break 2-0 to the good.

Going into the second half the Dee youngsters enjoyed some some great attacking spells, with Natalie Jamieson sprinting forward to find Caitland Crockett but unfortunately her shot was wide of the post. A clearance from North Down then found captain Karen Fegan who combined with daughter Elle but the North Down keeper was able to clear the ball to safety.

The visitors were soon back on the attack again with Donaghadee keeper Janice McVeigh making a timely save to keep it 2-0 but with North Down making the most of a late penalty corner, the final score finished 3-0. The Seconds have a break from league action on Saturday when they play Malone in the first round of the Minor Cup. Pass back is at 1pm at BGS.

Senior League 3: Annadale 3-0 Donaghadee LHC 1XI
Donaghadee Firsts were unable to replicate the good form of the previous week when they beat Newry 4-1 when they travelled to Lagan College on Saturday. Despite numerous superb saves by keeper Nicola Patton, and solid hockey in most areas of the pitch, the final ball in the Dee in the attacking last quarter was lacking. The girls will be looking to rectify that against South Antrim at home on Saturday, pass back 2.30pm.

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29/10/16 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 4-1 Newry and Donaghadee LHC 2XI 0-5 Coleraine

Posted on 31/10/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior League 3: Donaghadee LHC 1XI 4-1 Newry 1XI
Coming off the back of two losses to Kilkeel and Newry, Donaghadee were missing midfield lynchpin Helen Hooks and defensive stalwart Paige Reilly for this one, but the Dee were delighted to welcome back Nina Wells for her first appearance this season, slotting in beside Ali Lawther in midfield.

Indeed this pairing came in handy in the early exchanges, when Newry’s busy central midfielder tried to direct her side forward. With play subsequently broken down on the left, winger Ruth Kennedy set Kerrie Turtle bursting forward on a terrific solo run down the inside left channel. With the last remaining defender drawn to the ball, Kerrie deftly picked an inch-perfect pass inside to fellow forward Carolyn Scott who was able to round the keeper and slot the ball home just inside the keeper’s left hand post to give Donaghadee a deserved lead.

The frenetic pace continued, with Kerry Kennedy this time making space to attack up the middle; her pass finding Carolyn at the top of the circle where the forward was able to shoot on the turn – the sheer pace of the shot forcing the ball right between the keeper’s legs to make it 2-0 to Donaghadee.

It was not all one way traffic though; Dee keeper Nicola Patton made several good saves – including one dramatic diving effort, with Claire Stewart calmly redistributing the rebounds wide to try to protect the clean sheet. The defence were also involved in the Dee’s next goal, when right back Amy Long set winger Emily Morris free. A lung-bursting effort got Emily into the attacking 25 where she unleashed a bullet of a cross. With Carolyn on hand to get the faintest of touches, helped further by a defender’s stick, Donaghadee went into half time 3-0 to the good.

Newry came out with considerable determination in the second half and, despite a trademark charge down from Lisa Higgins at an early penalty corner, the shot was converted to give Newry a lifeline. With play swinging back down to Donaghadee’s attacking end, Kerry K was unlucky to have a goal disallowed but Emily made absolutely sure of the result with a goal of her own. Final score 4-1 to Donaghadee. Many thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring. The 1XI are next in action away to Annadale at Lagan College on Saturday, pass back 1pm.

Junior 7: Donaghadee LHC 2XI 0-5 Coleraine 3XI
In the second match of the day, Donaghadee LHC 2XI welcomed Coleraine to BGS. The girls in red and green initially got off to a great start with Emily Morris linking well with Elle Fegan to work the ball into the Coleraine circle where Row Moore was on hand to get a shot away. The Coleraine defence was stout however and they quickly cleared to put Donaghadee’s defence of Lisa Alexander, Deborah Gilmour and Suzie Ferguson under a lot of early pressure.

With a strong rearguard making some great clearances for their forwards, Coleraine attacked relentlessly and their efforts paid off when they were able to slot home their second of the day. Donaghadee came again though, with Lisa Higgins finding Carmen van der Schyff on the left. As Carmen tried get to the circle, Coleraine were there once again to step in to turn defence to attack, resulting in another swift break and another goal: 3-0 to Coleraine at the end of the first half.

Donaghadee came out strongly in the second half with Natalie Jamieson combining well with Rebecca Bolton to get past a few Coleraine players to find some space in the Coleraine circle but again, the Coleraine defence was on hand to clear and put Dee keeper Janice McVeigh under considerable pressure; Janice responding by making several well-timed saves, but Coleraine remained undaunted and finished the game 5-0 to the good. Many thanks to Nicola Patton for umpiring. The 2XI play at home on Saturday against North Down 5XI, pass back 1pm.

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22/10/16 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 0-3 Holywood and Donaghadee LHC 2XI 0-3 Ards

Posted on 24/10/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior League 3 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 0-3 Holywood 1XI
Having played only 10 minutes hockey since the first week in October, thanks to a free week and then the South Antrim fixture being aborted after only 10 minutes last week, DLHC 1XI were looking forward to getting back on to the pitch with neighbours Holywood the visitors to Bangor Grammar last Saturday.

The match got underway in lovely autumnal sunshine and Donaghadee were quick to attack with some delightful interlinking play; probing runs from Ruth Coulter linking with Amy Long on the right and speedy breaks from Helen Hooks set up by Paige Reilly on the left certainly posed questions of the visiting defence, but Donaghadee were unable to find the killer final ball when in the circle.

Donaghadee continued with this sustained pressure during much of the first half: Kerry Kennedy unleashed a demon of a reverse stick shot which unfortunately just whistled up over the cross bar and Kerrie Turtle pinged one off the outside of the right post, all efforts which were in vain and the scoreline remained 0-0 at half time.

The fluid play which had served the team well in the first half seemed to ebb away in the second. Holywood certainly pressed higher up the pitch but Donaghadee contrived to make things difficult for themselves with all sorts of muddles and melees in the Dee circle not helping the nerves of the watching spectators. It was courtesy of one such mix up which allowed a Holywood forward to stab the ball home and give her side the advantage.

Midfielders Ali Lawther and Lynsey Sloan found themselves deep in the Donaghadee half as they tried to help centre back Claire Stewart stem the flow but there was nothing they or Dee keeper Nicola Patton could do about Holywood’s second – a well-struck penalty corner.

Donaghadee did have the odd flash of attacking intent in the second half, with Ruth making superb inroads up the right on one occasion to pick out a pinpoint cross for Carolyn Scott but the Holywood keeper was able to make a save at close quarters to clear the ball to safety before the forward could make clean contact. Sub Angela Parker came on to add fresh legs but with the game all but done and dusted, Holywood added a third to give the scoreline a very one-sided look. Thanks to Caitland Crockett for umpiring.

Junior League 7: Donaghadee LHC 0-3 Ards 5XI
The 2XI fared no better in their Junior 7 match, with Ards 5XI running out victors by the same scoreline in a match where the young Dee stars showed some lovely hockey skills of their own – they can surely feel slightly aggrieved not to have taken something from this much more evenly contested match than the scoreline suggests.

Both teams are at home again this Saturday: the 1XI play Newry at 1pm followed by the 2XI against Coleraine at 2.30pm.

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15/10/16 South Antrim 1XI v Donaghadee LHC 1XI and South Antrim 2XI v Donaghadee LHC 2XI

Posted on 18/10/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Junior League 7: South Antrim 2XI 2-0 Donaghadee LHC 2XI
Play was end to end in the opening exchanges of this fixture between South Antrim 2XI and Donaghadee LHC 2XI, with both teams doing their best to start at a high tempo. South Antrim were first to get in to their attacking circle but the Dee defence of Lisa Alexander and Georgia Ferguson were there to clear the attacks coming from the home side.

As the fast pace of the game continued, it was Donaghadee’s turn to attack with Lisa Higgins clearing the ball to Karen Fegan. She found daughter Elle who was on hand to play it in the circle but the danger was met by the South rearguard. South Antrim quickly turned defence to attack with great pace, a reverse stick shot in the Dee circle finding the back of the net to give the home side a 1-0 lead going in to the break.

With the second half getting underway, Natalie Jamieson and Rebecca Bolton interlinked beautifully to work the ball up the pitch to put the home defence under pressure, the resulting shot forcing a good save from the South keeper. South Antrim used this as impetus to come back strongly again with Donaghadee keeper Janice McVeigh called into action and having to make several consecutive saves to keep the score as it was.

Unfortunately for the Dee, late sustained pressure from South Antrim resulted in a number of penalty corners, one of which was converted to double South’s advantage – a lead they didn’t relinquish. Final score 2-0 to South Antrim. Donaghadee 2XI are next in action on Saturday, at home to Ards, pass back 2.30pm.

Senior League 3: South Antrim 1XI P-P Donaghadee LHC 1XI
The match between the two sides’ 1XIs had only just got underway when an unfortunate collision resulted in a South Antrim player coming off badly. There was a lengthy delay while she was attended to but with the decision to send her to hospital by ambulance, both teams were in agreement to postpone the match to a later date. Donaghadee extend their good wishes to the South player for a speedy recovery. The 1XI play Holywood at home on Saturday, pass back 1pm, with drinks and nibbles in Grace Neill’s following the conclusion of the Seconds’ match.

 

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1/10/16 Kilkeel 4-0 Donaghadee LHC 1XI and Donaghadee LHC 2XI 1-3 Queen’s

Posted on 03/10/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior 3: Kilkeel 4-0 Donaghadee LHC 1XI
Donaghadee unable to continue unbeaten run with a 4-0 defeat on the road to Kilkeel

Having encountered Kilkeel for the first time last season – when the scoreline finished 4-0 in favour of the South Down side on both occasions – Donaghadee were under no illusions that this was going to be anything other than a very stern test and so it proved.

Missing no fewer than three regular first teamers, the Dee were put under immediate pressure by a well-organised and free-running home side and they went into the break 2-0 to the good, with Donaghadee clinging on by their collective fingernails.

Despite making the Kilkeel keeper work on several occasions, Donaghadee weren’t able to make any impact on the scoreline, with Kilkeel doubling their tally before the final whistle. With other results falling in the Dee’s favour, they remain in second place in the league table; a position they will look to consolidate when they play South Antrim 1XI on 15th October.

Junior 7: Donaghadee LHC 2XI 1-3 Queen’s
Back on home ground following their trip to Ballynahinch, Donaghadee LHC 2XI welcomed Queen’s 5XI to Bangor Grammar on Saturday afternoon. Despite it being the students’ first match of the season, they started the more brightly of the two, dominating the first half and putting the Donaghadee defenders under considerable pressure.

The Donaghadee rearguard of Suzie Ferguson, Georgia Ferguson and Lisa Alexander battled commendably to keep the visiting forwards out but they went ahead quickly, adding a second from a penalty corner shortly after to give themselves a 2-0 cushion going into the second half.

Donaghadee began to find some form after the turn around with tireless work from Carmen van der Schyff, Beth Long and Elle Fegan and, higher up the pitch, Deborah Gilmour and Karen Fegan combined well to set last week’s scorer Natalie Jamieson free.The Queen’s keeper was a match for the shot though, clearing the ball to safety on that occasion.

The young Dee forwards kept their heads up and their confidence paid off when Angela Parker burst through to give Donaghadee a lifeline. Maura Hennessey was unlucky not to add to the scoreline and there were further chances for the home side but none were converted as play swung down to the far end of the pitch, with Dee keeper Janice McVeigh on hand to make several good saves. Queen’s added one more to their final tally to leave the the score 3-1.

Thanks to Tasha Paxton for umpiring. The 2XI are next in action away to South Antrim 2XI on Saturday 15th October.

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24/9/16 Ballynahinch 0-1 Donaghadee LHC 1XI and Ballynahinch 2-1 Donaghadee LHC 2XI

Posted on 26/09/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior League 3: Ballynahinch 1XI 0-1 Donaghadee LHC 1XI
The terrific start to Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club’s 1XI’s season continued last Saturday with a 1-0 victory away to Ballynahinch 1XI.

In stark contrast to the balmy conditions of the opening weekend, the weather seemed to suddenly have got the memo that hockey season is back; gusty driving rain right from pass back making things soggy and unpleasant for everyone on the pitch. Undeterred Donaghadee started brightly and were soon camped in the Ballynahinch half, where they remained for much of the opening period. Emily Morris made several piercing runs on the right, with Kerrie Turtle peeling wide to give a good option on the left. Donaghadee’s midfield of Kerry Kennedy, Ali Lawther and Helen Hooks were able to push up to prevent any escape route for the home side.

Indeed an early pinpoint cross from Ali found Carolyn Scott free in the circle but the forward was unable to make a clean connection and the chance went begging. Kerry K then stepped up in fine individual style to show the forwards how it’s done, gratefully seizing her chance to get her tally for this season up and running with an unstoppable shot which flew past the hapless Hinch keeper. Donaghadee 1-0 to the good going into half time and no less than they deserved.

It was definitely a game of two halves and, with the weather showing no signs of improving, the Dee defence found themselves with more to do. Central defender Claire Stewart marshalled her defenders well though; Paige Reilly, Amy Long, Lynsey Sloan and Lisa Higgins were able to snuff out many of the threats before they reached the circle, although the Hinch forwards found Dee keeper Nicola Patton in her usual bullish form on the odd occasion they did find space: no way through there!

Donaghadee were delighted with their second win in a row which takes them to joint top of the table; Annadale the only other side with maximum points at this early stage of the season. Thanks to Maura Hennessey for umpiring and the Firsts now look forward to Saturday’s trip away to Kilkeel.

Junior 7: Ballynahinch 2XI 2-1 Donaghadee LHC 2XI
The next billing at St Colman’s, Ballynahinch was the clash of the Seconds, with Donaghadee hoping to emulate the result from the Firsts’ match. The home side put pressure on Donaghadee from the start however and that paid off, with an early goal going in despite a great initial clearance by Natalie Jamieson. The ball unfortunately fell to a Ballynahinch forward and she made no mistake to make it 1-0 for her side. Donaghadee were then dreadfully unlucky to lose Teegan Greer to injury – a knock to the head put not only her out of action, but also Carmen van der Schyff as they made their way off to hospital to get Teegan attended to.

Susan Pierce and Emily Morris, getting her second soaking of the day, came on to try to redress the balance, with some success in helping Debs Gilmore and Karen Fegan to put Ballynahinch under pressure. Rebecca Bolton made inroads up the left with Row Moore on hand to get a strike away but her shot was saved by the home keeper to keep her team ahead. Play swung back down to the other end of the pitch with Susan, Lisa Alexander and Georgia Fergsuon all making timely clearances to make it hard for the home side.

A further brilliant clearance from Georgia sent the ball to Natalie who took on seemingly most of the Ballynahinch team before rounding the keeper to slickly pop the ball into the back of the net – what a time to get your first strike for the club! Lisa Higgins then showed her experience when she was able to step in to clear several hard strikes by Ballynahinch as Donaghadee tried to keep the score at 1-1 but the defence could do nothing about an initial strike from a short corner which powered into the back of Donaghadee’s goal, even despite Dee keeper Janice McVeigh’s best efforts. Final score 2-1 to Ballynahinch. Thanks to Maura Hennessey for umpiring. The Seconds are next in action at home to Queen’s on Saturday.

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17/9/16 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 2-1 Bangor and Donaghadee LHC 2XI 1-0 Instonians

Posted on 18/09/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior 3: Donaghadee LHC 1XI 2-1 Bangor
Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club’s 1XI began their Senior 3 league campaign with a valuable 3 points on Saturday thanks to a solid 2-1 home win over neighbours Bangor in a match that was played at a ferocious pace, despite the hot, sunny conditions.

Donaghadee started strongly with some good initial interchanges with Ali Lawther, Helen Hooks and Lisa Higgins providing the link between defence and attack. Several probes down the middle proved fruitful, with Kerry Kennedy providing piercing passing forward, and Kerrie Turtle making the willing runs up front to stretch the defence. Tenacious play by Kerrie high left saw her pull the ball back across the top of the circle to right wing Carolyn Scott who, with her first touch of the match, dinked a reverse stick shot across the Bangor keeper just inside the far post to give the Dee a deserved lead.

It was double delight shortly into the second half when Kerrie was rewarded for her hard work in the Bangor circle to put Donaghadee two to the good. Perhaps sitting back a little on the two goal cushion, the Dee found themselves under a bit more pressure from the visitors, with keeper Nicola Patton called into action to stop several shots which Amy Long, Claire Stewart and Paige Reilly were able to clear.

Bangor got a late consolation goal through a penalty corner in the last minute, but Donaghadee were nonetheless delighted with their winning start to the 2016/17 season. Special mention to Caitland Crockett, Angela Parker and Natalie Jamieson who all played in the preceding 2XI game before adding their youthful energy to the Firsts! Thanks to Brian McKee for umpiring. The 1XI are next in action away to Ballynahinch 1XI at 2.30pm on Saturday.

Junior 7: Donaghadee LHC 2XI 1-0 Instonians
DLHC mighty Seconds took to the pitch for the first time this season to play the formidable Instonians team which has always been a side to give the Dee a great run for their money, with the usual outcome in previous meetings being a closely fought game.

With Karen Fegan on her first outing as captain, the team was thoroughly briefed and Donaghadee ran out onto the pitch with a fighting spirit; quickly rewarded for their efforts within the first five minutes when Caitland Crockett skillfully found the backboard of the Inst goal to give Donaghadee a 1-0 lead.

Donaghadee continued on a rampage of attack at the Inst circle and were unlucky not to put a few more past the keeper. With new players Georgia Ferguson, Natalie Jamieson and Rowena Moore linking in with Angela Parker on the right, the second half was again dominated by a strong Dee side attacking the Inst circle and the left side of Lisa Alexander, Karen, Carmen van der Schyff and Ellie Fegan thwarting any hopes of an Instonians’ goal.

Instonians had 4 short corners, all of which were cleared and covered by Janice McVeigh in goals and Lisa Higgins and Paige Reilly in defence to ensure the game finished with a 1-0 win to Donaghadee in what is a great start to the season. Special thanks to Brian McKee for umpiring. The 2XI hope to continue their good form away to Ballynahinch 2XI at 4pm on Saturday.

Thanks  to Grace Neill’s for providing Saturday’s after-match refreshments and nibbles!

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13/9/16 The opening matches of the 2016/17 season

Posted on 13/09/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

FIXTURES
Junior 7: Donaghadee LHC 2XI v Instonians 1, 1pm
Senior 3: Donaghadee LHC 1XI v Bangor 1, 2.30pm

The league proper starts for both teams of Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club this Saturday, with all the action taking place on the astroturf at Bangor Grammar. DLHC 2XI will kick off their Junior 7 league programme when they take to the pitch against Instonians 2XI at 1pm. With a number of new players joining the club during pre-season, it should prove to be an exciting opening match, led by incoming Captain Karen Fegan.

The 1XI completed their pre-season friendlies on Monday evening with a closely fought but narrow defeat away to South Antrim – Carolyn Scott scoring the Dee’s consolation goal – and they look forward to welcoming neighbours Bangor to BGS for the 2.30pm pass back in the first weekend of matches in Senior 3.

All members past and present are then cordially invited to Grace Neill’s for after match drinks and nibbles from 4pm.

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6/9/16 DLHC Pre-season friendlies

Posted on 06/09/2016 by Donaghadee LHC
Ards friendly LR

DLHC 1XI v Ards 3XI on a positively balmy evening at BGS

It’s been a busy few days for members of Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club, with no fewer than 3 friendly matches within the space of 48 hours.

Donaghadee LHC 1XI, albeit missing a number of regular Firsts players, took on Saintfield 1XI – newly promoted from Senior 3 to Senior 2 – in the first match last Saturday and the visitors showed the same sort of form as they did all of last season, running out comfortable 5-0 victors.

DLHC’s 2XI then played Saintfield’s second string in a much more evenly fought game. The visitors scored first but the Dee equalised in the second half through a good penalty corner strike from captain Karen Fegan. Final score 1-1.

Ards 3rds were the next visitors to Bangor Grammar on Monday evening in what turned out to be a well contested and much more even match for the Dee’s 1XI. Ruth Coulter was on hand to help the ball over the line to give Donaghadee the lead, before Ards equalised to finish the match all square.

What has been most encouraging has been the integration of the new players into the existing squad, in what should make for an exciting incoming season.

Training continues every Wednesday evening from 7.30-9pm at Bangor Grammar and all new faces are welcome. For more information email dlhc@hotmail.co.uk, or visit www.donaghadeelhc.co.uk, Facebook or Twitter for up to date news on the club.

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20/8/16 Preseason Reds v Whites

Posted on 22/08/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Reds v Whites LR

Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club were back on the pitch last week with an inter-club Reds v Whites match last Saturday. In bright sunshine and serenaded by the Party on the Pitch soundcheck happening at nearby Bangor Rugby Club, it was great to see not only lots of existing faces returning but a number of new recruits too. Perhaps inspired by the wonderful Gold medal won by GB Women’s Hockey the previous evening, there was plenty of good play on show from the Dee girls.

If you too have been inspired by the Olympic hockey, DLHC would love to hear from you; with two teams competing in Ulster Hockey leagues with players ranging in age from 15 to 50 (ish!) and plenty in the social calendar, there’s something for everyone. Contact dlhc@hotmail.co.uk for more info, or come along on Wednesday evenings, 7.30-9pm at Bangor Grammar.

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