12/10/13 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 5-0 Newry and Donaghadee 2XI 0-1 Ballymena

Posted on 14/10/2013 by Donaghadee LHC

Both Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club’s First and Second XIs were at home on Saturday; one of the few occasions this season. The Firsts welcomed Newry in the game with the 2.30 passback, having watched and taken inspiration from the Second XI who had shown a great deal of character and determination in the earlier slot against Junior 9 league leaders Ballymena.

Senior League 4: Donaghadee 1st XI 5-0 Newry Olympic LHC
The Firsts were keen to put the previous week’s defeat behind them but with this Saturday’s opponents Newry having started the season with two wins from two, the Dee girls knew they would need to start putting in to practice the work that they have been doing on a Wednesday night in order to take something from this match. From the first whistle there was a clear determination by the Dee to work the ball around the pitch and start stringing a few passes together – something which, although was in evidence in patches against Holywood, really wasn’t utilised enough. And lo and behold, it didn’t take long to see why coach Brian McKee is so keen to get it working. With much of the play going through the midfield of Ali Lawther, Claire Stewart and Kerry Savage, it wasn’t long before the Dee worked their way into the Newry circle. A ball laid back on the right for Claire to crash in found Ali who, having continued her run up the pitch, found herself unmarked in the circle. Catching everyone, even the Newry keeper, on the back foot, Ali guided the ball just inside the near post to open the scoring for Donaghadee, much to the delight of the onlooking Red and Green supporters.

Newry weren’t just on the pitch to make up the numbers however and going a goal behind seemed to spur them in to action. The Dee defensive quartet of Suzie Ferguson, Nina Wells, Hannah McAdam and Lisa Higgins needed to be on their toes to deal with a number of Newry shots on goal but despite the chances, either the strikes went wide or Dee keeper Siobhan McAdam cleared to safety. The action was end to end, high tempo stuff with both teams keen to add to the scoreline and it was Donaghadee’s top goalscorer from last season Kerrie Turtle who added the next two. Her second in particular was well worked down the right with winger Carolyn Scott evading a couple of Newry tackles to square the ball for Kerrie to sweep home.

New girl for Donaghadee Melissa Rollo then showed why she is such a valuable asset to the club when she came on in midfield to help break up the play in the middle of the pitch. Superb work between Melissa and left winger Ruth Kennedy stopped a promising Newry attack and the Dee were immediately on the front foot with Melissa looking to play the ball forward quickly. Her snap cross in to the circle was met by Carolyn who turned and slotted home the Dee’s fourth with a first time shot. The home side’s fifth and final goal was also converted by Carolyn after a splendid through ball from Kerry S put the winger through one on one with the keeper, the ball sliding home low to the Newry keeper’s left kicker to round off the prolific scoring by the home side. While Newry can possibly feel a little hard done by not to have taken something from the game, Donaghadee were very pleased to take the three points in emphatic fashion and it should be a good confidence boost for Friday night’s game away to Instonians. Many thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring, Will McAdam for stats and Brian for the coaching.

Junior 9: Donaghadee LHC 2nd XI 0-1 Ballymena LHC 4th XI
Last Saturday saw the Donaghadee 2nd XI enjoy their first home match of the season against current league leaders Ballymena 4th XI. Hoping to use their home advantage the team were excited but there was still a touch of pre match nerves. The match started quickly and, despite the nerves, within the first 5 minutes the Dee forward trio of Karen Fegan, Maura Hennesey and Emily Morris had already infiltrated the Ballymena circle but the Ballymena defenders were alive to the danger. Donaghadee kept the pressure on Ballymena, forcing the visitors to make a number of mistakes culminating in the Dee getting the first penalty corner of the match. Despite a well-worked set piece, they still weren’t able to break the deadlock. Ballymena weren’t giving up however and they started to push through the midfield of Deborah Gilmour, Chloe Noble, and Morgan McCollough to try and force an opening. Lining up slightly differently in defence for this match, Donaghadee hoped that the structure would prove effective and Amy Long, Teegan Greer, Alex McVeigh and captain Lisa Alexander managed to hold strong and not give Ballymena any chances, until the visitors were awarded a penalty corner just before the half time break. The Dee continued to hold firm however, with goalkeeper Tina Sterling making an excellent save to ensure the match remained goalless.

At half time, coach Brian McKee was able to give the team pointers to maintain the great play they had displayed in the first half. A few changes were made, with Georgeann Chambers on in defence and Jan Morrow coming on in a forward role. Ballymena won another penalty corner not long into the second half which Tina did well to get near, but with the ball going high Tina went low to clear not knowing that a Ballymena stick was poised to flick it back over the top to make it 1-0 to the visitors. Not to be disheartened the Dee were back on the attack with Maura and Deborah making a quick break towards the Ballymena goal, but their goalkeeper had time to ready herself and came out quickly to deny the Dee from scoring the equaliser. The team were not at all downhearted by the final 1-0 scoreline as their play is improving week on week as the experience and confidence within the team grows. Thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring, Brian and all the Dee supporters who came to watch. The next match for the Seconds is a highly anticipated local derby with Bangor 2nds on Friday 18th October.
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5/10/13 DLHC 1st XI v Holywood and Banbridge v DLHC 2nd XI

Posted on 06/10/2013 by Donaghadee LHC

DLHC 1st XI 2-5 Holywood

After a heartening win in Lisburn against South Antrim last weekend, Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club 1st XI were hoping to continue that form against Holywood this week. Things looked to be right on track when, within 5 minutes of the first whistle, Donaghadee won themselves a penalty corner after super play from the Dee frontline of Ruth Kennedy, Kerrie Turtle and Carolyn Scott. Carolyn got the first strike away cleanly and the Holywood keeper managed to parry it out but only as far as Ali Lawther who was lurking for the rebound. She returned it with interest back towards the Holywood goal and Donaghadee had themselves a dream start.

It was another penalty corner which got the Dee’s second goal shortly after, with a well worked shot from Katie Donnelly causing problems for the visiting defence. In the melee that resulted, Ali was on target again with Kerry Savage on hand at the back post to help the ball over the line. Whether Donaghadee’s concentration slipped or the legs began to tire, Holywood came much more into the game in the second half, scoring three goals without riposte. The Dee can maybe count themselves unlucky with at least one goal resulting from a shot from a penalty corner which looked to be heading well high of the backboard until it was deflected down by the Dee defence but on the whole, there can be few complaints with the final score of 5-2 to the visitors.

While the scoreline was not particularly flattering, there were certainly reasons for cautious optimism; coach Brian McKee has been instilling in the girls the need to play thoughtful passing and supporting hockey and in places this was more than evident on Saturday with a lot of good work being done in particular down the left with Lisa Higgins, Kerry and Ruth all connecting well to build momentum. Ali is quickly becoming the lynch pin in the middle of the pitch and is providing the impetus for getting the ball switched from left to right, with Captain Suzie Ferguson providing the outlet at the back on the right and Leona Wells offering plenty of running in midfield. While there were a few hairy moments round the back – with even keeper Siobhan McAdam getting involved in the passing between full backs Nina Wells and Hannah McAdam at one stage, it is clear that the girls are willing to try to adapt their game from what has been the staple diet of crashing the ball forward at every opportunity; route one hockey which was more than effective on gravel but which is less so on the club’s newly adopted astroturf surface. Many thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring duties. Next Saturday sees the 1st XI welcome Newry 1sts to Bangor Grammar School, passback 2.30pm and, with the 2nd XI also at home against Ballymena, passback 1pm, both teams will be hitting the Dee – regardless of results – for post match drinks.

Banbridge v DLHC 2nd XI

After a week’s break Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club 2nd XI were eager to get playing again as they travelled to Banbridge to continue their league action. From the first whistle the Dee forwards and midfielders put pressure on the home side by passing the ball quick and fluently up the pitch only to get closed down repeatedly by the covering Banbridge defenders. Donaghadee did manage to break into the home circle on a number of occasions, but the shots were saved by the Ban keeper, resulting in frustration for the Dee attackers as they eagerly tried to convert.

On a break which caught the Dee defenders off guard Banbridge got their first goal, and just before the half time break they scored again from a penalty corner which at first was defended well by the Dee but which was fired in on the rebound. The Dee girls did not let the score line dampen their spirits as they were playing well and they came out with renewed fervour for the second half, but they found Banbridge equally as keen. The game was very evenly contested with the Dee eager to pull it back and Banbridge wanting to hold on to their lead. Banbridge were awarded a succession of penalty corners with each one being cleared by the defence of Tegan Greer, Lisa Alexander, Laura Boyle, Karen Fegan and keeper Tina Sterling. Depsite the Dee’s hard work though, Banbridge got their third goal.

Still the Dee girls fought on as they knew they deserved a score line which reflected their hard work. A break up the left saw the forwards and mids put together a string of great passes which found centre forward Maura Hennessey unmarked just inside the circle. She didn’t pass up the opportunity and her shot found the backboard giving the Dee 2nd XI their first goal in this year’s league campaign. With still 15 minutes to go they had hope that they could still pull it back. Banbridge were awarded another penalty corner which keeper Tina saved, finally clearing the ball beyond the back line to safety. Some confusion ensued however, with the Banbridge players convinced that the ball had crossed the line for a goal. After some deliberation between the umpires, the goal was awarded leaving the Dee girls feeling slightly aggrieved by the decision. Taking away the many positives from this week’s tough match, Donaghadee were pleased with their performance and felt that their efforts did not reflect the score line. Many thanks to Will McAdam for umpiring. The 2nd XI are in action next Saturday (12th Oct) for their first home match of the season against league leaders Ballymena 4ths, passback 1pm at Bangor Grammar.

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28/9/13 Senior League 4: South Antrim 1st XI 0-2 Donaghadee :HC 1st XI

Posted on 29/09/2013 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior League 4: South Antrim 1st XI 0-2 Donaghadee LHC 1st XI

After a tough opening weekend for both Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club 1st XI and 2nd XI teams, the Firsts were back in action last Saturday when they travelled to Lisburn to play South Antrim. With a full team at Captain Suzie Ferguson’s disposal, Donaghadee were hoping to put the previous week’s match down to experience and improve on performance and result.

Donaghadee started the match brightly with the whole team working well together as a unit, attacking and pressing the home side high up the pitch. The pressure began to tell in the first half when the Dee won several penalty corners in quick succession, with midfielder Katie Donnelly going so close when her shot pinged off the outside of the South Antrim post. The deadlock was finally broken for Donaghadee when Carolyn Scott’s first time strike was cleared straight back to her stick and she made no mistake with the second shot; the ball scuffling just inside the post, low to the South Antrim keeper’s right. Despite the Dee’s midfield of Katie, Ali Lawther, Kerry Savage and Leona Wells dominating the middle third of the pitch, no more chances were converted in the first half.

South Antrim came out in the second period with more attacking vigour and Donaghadee’s defence of Lisa Higgins, Jennifer McVeigh, Hannah McAdam and Suzie needed to be on their mettle to deal with the threat from the home side’s forwards. On the odd occasion South Antrim did get into the Dee circle, keeper Siobhan McAdam was quickly off her line to clear the ball to safety. Donaghadee’s second goal came from super work by Kerrie Turtle down the right wing. Her cross was met by Ruth Kennedy cutting in from her left wing berth to beat the home keeper for a goal which ensured Donaghadee would bag the three points. Coach Brian McKee was pleased with this much improved performance and everyone is now looking forward to welcoming Holywood to Bangor Grammar on Saturday. Many thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring duties and Will McAdam for stats. The 2nd XI are away to Banbridge. For up to date passback times and club info, visit http://www.donaghadeelhc.co.uk, Facebook.com/donaghadeelhc, Twitter @donaghadeelhc or email dlhc@hotmail.co.uk

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21/9/13 DLHC 1st XI v Mossley and Ballycastle v DLHC 2nd XI

Posted on 22/09/2013 by Donaghadee LHC
2XI v Ballycastle LR
The first Donaghadee LHC 2nd XI to take to the pitch for a competitive fixture since the 1980s before their match against Ballycastle 1st XI on Saturday 21st September 2013. (Back row, l-r) Claire Stewart, Carmen van der Schyff, Jan Morrow, Alex McVeigh, Hannah McAdam, Tina Sterling, Lisa Alexander (Captain), Caitland Crockett, Amy Long. (Front row, l-r) Maura Hennessey, Deborah Gilmour, Morgan McCollough, Teegan Greer. 

— ooo —

Saturday 21st September 2013 is a date which has been ringed in Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club’s calendar since Ulster Hockey announced the 2013/14 fixtures, and it will be a date which will be long remembered in the future as the day on which the Club fielded two full teams to play league games for the first time since the 1980s – indeed the last time a Donaghadee LHC 2nd XI took to the pitch was before a number of the current club members were born! On the day, neither result was to go in the Dee’s favour but this was a day for celebration for not only all the players who pulled on a red and green shirt on Saturday but also for a number of former players who well remember the two-team days who came to support the 1st XI playing at home.

Senior League 4: DLHC 1st XI 2-6 Mossley 1st XI

Donaghadee LHC 1st XI started their 2013/14 league campaign at home to old adversaries Mossley on the new astroturf pitch at Bangor Grammar, this year’s home pitch for the Dee. Both sides started brightly with plenty of interchanges as each tried to find a way through the respective defences. It was in fact Donaghadee who should have opened the scoring after a superb run in to the circle by left wing Ruth Kennedy. The Mossley keeper was out very quickly to take player and ball, with the clearance falling to right winger Carolyn Scott. She really should have done better to finish the chance but the ball was skewed wide of the left post. Other chances went begging for the Dee and they were soon punished by strong play from the Mossley forwards. The first half finished 2-0 to the away side.

The second half was much the same, with the Donaghadee midfield of Kerry Savage, Ali Lawther and Katie Donnelly working tirelessly to try to stem the Mossley flow. The pressure told though, with Mossley scoring another couple from well worked penalty corners. The Dee’s defence of Captain Suzie Ferguson, Nina Wells, Jennifer McVeigh and Lisa Higgins were playing their part to break down the ball in open play and they were doing a sterling job of protecting Siobhan McAdam in goal. With the game becoming stretched in all areas of the pitch, more goals were inevitable and they came at both ends. Mossley grabbed another couple but Donaghadee were also rewarded for their hard work with two super goals of their own. The first came from an outstanding run down the right wing by centre forward Kerrie Turtle who found Katie unmarked in the circle. She calmly slotted a reverse stick shot between the legs of the oncoming keeper to cap a first class personal performance. Kerrie’s own hard work was then rewarded when a ball played deep out of defence to Carolyn on the right wing. The forward sliced open the Mossley defence with a diagonal ball forward to Kerrie hovering on the attacking 25. With plenty still to do, Kerrie took on and beat the Mossley keeper for a richly deserved goal of her own. Although the scoreline was not terribly flattering to the Dee on this occasion, coach Brian McKee was pleased with the overall performance of the team generally and felt that there were plenty of positives to be taken from the game. Many thanks to Will McAdam for umpiring. The 1st XI are next in action on Saturday 28th September away to South Antrim.

Junior 9: Ballycastle 1st XI 0-4 Donaghadee 2nd XI

Saturday was the first league match for the newly formed Donaghadee 2nd XI, so filled with excitement and nerves the girls made their way to Ballycastle. From the first whistle Ballycastle applied extreme pressure to the Dee defence of Amy Long, Alex McVeigh, Captain Lisa Alexander, and Morgan McCollough. The defence held strong and, despite their many attempts on goal, Ballycastle were denied by great work from the Donaghadee defenders.  With the pressure the Dee defence were under, the midfield trio of Deborah Gilmour, Claire Stewart and Carmen Van de Schaff dropped back a little in order to keep Ballycastle away from the goal mouth. The pressure eventually told though with a penalty corner giving Ballycastle the goal they were looking for, and in quick succession two more as the defence began to tire due to the constant pressure.

The Dee girls came out after half time with renewed energy and Donaghadee enjoyed a few breaks from midfield to the forwards of Maura Hennessey, Caitland Crockett, and Jan Morrow. The Ballycastle defence held firm however, quickly closing down and not really giving the Dee any chances. Again Ballycastle were strong on the attack but good clearances by defender Hannah McAdam took some of the pressure off. After some confusion in the Donaghadee circle, Ballycastle got their fourth of the day but this did not deter the Dee; after that goal they worked hard for the remainder of the half to try to find a goal of their own but unfortunately it was to no avail. Special mention needs to go to keeper Tina Sterling who kept her composure and made numerous great saves denying the opposition a handful more goals. She was the well deserved player of the match. Many thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring and Teegan Greer as injured supporter! After a tough first match the girls are now looking forward to their next match on 5th Oct away to Banbridge.

You can find all the info on the club at http://www.donaghadeelhc.co.uk, on Facebook/donaghadeelhc, on Twitter @donaghadeelhc or by email dlhc@hotmail.co.uk

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10/9/13 DLHC Club Notes and Junior Training

Posted on 10/09/2013 by Donaghadee LHC

Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club have been extremely busy both on and off the pitch over the last few weeks as the 2013/14 season nears ever closer. Off the pitch the girls organised a fundraising event at the rugby club last week to try and bolster vital club funds for the incoming season, along with a Vets match which proved very popular with both current and former players alike.

On the pitch there have been numerous pre-season friendlies organised with both the 1st and 2nd XI playing local sides to improve match fitness before the league starts on Saturday 21st September. The 1st XI are at home to Mossley on the new astroturf at Bangor Grammar, pass back 1pm and the 2nd XI open their first league campaign in 30-odd years with a long haul trip to the north coast to play Ballycastle. Everyone at the Club is very much looking forward to the start of the season with no small amount of excitement and anticipation.

As well as the 1st and 2nd XI teams, DLHC continues to cater for girls in the 10-15 age bracket with Junior training now confirmed as starting on Monday 23rd September and running until Monday 28th October. Each Monday session will take place from 7-8pm on the astroturf at the new Bangor Grammar School. Further details and registration forms are available by emailing dlhc@hotmail.co.uk. For up to date info on matches and what’s happening at the club, visit http://www.donaghadeelhc.co.uk or Facebook.com/donaghadeelhc

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18/8/13 DLHC Club Notes

Posted on 18/08/2013 by Donaghadee LHC

Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club trained on the astroturf at Bangor Grammar School for the first time last week as their pre season stick work got underway. There was a good turn out of current club members as coach Brian McKee broke things in gently with a few basics to get the collective eyes back in after the summer break. There is no doubt that the newly laid pitch is a pleasure to play on and it is fair to say that everyone is looking forward to matches starting, with both 1st and 2nd XI in action on the opening weekend of the season, with the 1sts at home to Mossley and the 2nds away to Ballycastle on Saturday 21st September.

Before then though the club has a number of events in the pipeline which they hope will be well supported. The action starts on Friday 23rd August at Crommelin Park, Donaghadee when members will be on hand to help youngsters between the ages of 7-11 and 12-16 who would like to give hockey a go for the first time. Registration forms are available by contacting the club or popping in to one of the many shops in Donaghadee displaying the poster in the window.

Following the success of the Vets match last April when a record number of former (and present) DLHC players got together for a match on the gravel at Crommelin Park, another fixture has been pencilled in for 2pm on Saturday 31st August at Crommelin Park. All past, present and future Hockettes welcome! This will be the perfect prelude to the Ultimate Season Curtain Raiser joint fundraiser being held by Donaghadee RFC and Donaghadee LHC up at the Rugby Club. The fun kicks off around 4pm at Donaldson Park with a bouncy castle, face painting, welly throwing and many other activities to keep both the little and not so little children amused! A barbeque will sort the hunger and the bar is sure to quench any thirst. Later on, a DJ will keep the masses happy from 8pm til late in the Clubhouse, so please do head along to support the two clubs as they kick off their respective seasons.

Donaghadee LHC is also delighted to announce the resumption of the Junior programme on Monday 23rd September. Open to all girls between 10 and 15, the sessions are designed for all abilities and have proved to be a lot of fun in past seasons. Registration forms are available from the club, contact details below.

With the Juniors, the 1st and 2nd XI teams and the Vets, there really is something for everyone at Donaghadee LHC, so if you would like to get involved in any capacity, please do get in touch. Pre season bootcamp with personal trainer Noel Beattie continues at Crommelin Park every Tuesday at 7.15 and stick work is now every Wednesday at Bangor Grammar from 7.30-9pm. Contact: dlhc@hotmail.co.uk, http://www.donaghadeelhc.co.uk, http://www.facebook.com/donaghadeelhc and Twitter @donaghadeelhc

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6/8/13 Pre-Season Club Notes

Posted on 06/08/2013 by Donaghadee LHC

The fixtures for the 13/14 season may not yet have been announced but things are in full swing at Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club. Already several weeks in to the pre-season fitness programme with personal trainer Noel Beattie, several friendlies against local teams have now also been pencilled in for both DLHC 1st XI and 2nd XI in the run up to the opening league matches.

With the Dee entering a 2nd XI in to the league for the first time since the mid Eighties, the Club received the very welcome news last week that the new astroturf pitch at Bangor Grammar is to be the home pitch this season. Geographically the closest astroturf pitch to Donaghadee in the North Down/Ards area, it is great timing and a great boost for everyone connected with DLHC and all the players are looking forward to trying it out when pre-season stick work starts next week. A good turn out of current players is expected and if you have been thinking about joining a hockey club, the Dee is the perfect opportunity for both 1st XI players and those who fancy giving more social hockey a go. Everyone is more than welcome to the Grammar pitch next Wednesday (14th August), 7.30pm – 9pm, or contact the club for more details.

Entries have also started coming in for the Try a Sport evening which DLHC is taking part in on Friday 23rd August from 6-8pm at Crommelin Park, Donaghadee. Open to all young people up to 16 years of age who would like to give hockey a go, this is the perfect chance to do so. You can request a registration form directly from the club or lots of shops in Donaghadee also have forms.

The final touches are being placed on the joint Donghadee Rugby and Hockey Club social fundraising event which is taking place on Saturday 31st August at the Rugby Club. The Hockettes are starting the day at 2pm with an old school game of hockey on the gravel at Crommelin Park from 2pm and it is hoped that there will be a good turn out of both the current crop and many of the older former players who took part in the fantastic Vets Day back in April. No registration required, just turn up at 2pm with stick and shin guards!

The fun kicks off in the rugby club at 4pm with lots of events for the younger members of the community with face painting and a bouncy castle, a barbeque and music for all and a number of games to keep the bigger kids happy! There will be a disco in the rugby club from 8pm with bar games to keep the masses amused, so please do come and support the two clubs as they raise the curtain on their respective seasons – everyone is more than welcome.

For more information on any of the above, you can contact the hockey club through Facebook (Facebook.com/donaghadeelhc), on the web (www.donaghadeelhc.co.uk), on Twitter @donaghadeelhc or by email on dlhc@hotmail.co.uk

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29/7/13 Pre-season club notes

Posted on 29/07/2013 by Donaghadee LHC

Pre-season fitness training is now well underway for all members of Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club as personal trainer Noel Beattie puts the girls through their paces every Tuesday, 7pm at Crommelin Park. With a mixture of stamina work and short, sharp drills, it is hoped that everyone who takes part will see the benefit when matches come round. And come round they will in no time, with both DLHC 1st and 2nd XI teams now having confirmed pre-season friendlies with the respective neighbouring Bangor 1sts and 2nds at the start of September before league matches start for both teams mid-September. If you would like to join Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club, now is the perfect opportunity as they are recruiting new, old, experienced and haven’t-picked-up-a-stick-for years players for both the 1st and 2nd XI teams.

It’s not only on the pitch that the dates are coming thick and fast but off it too, with Donaghadee LHC confirmed participants in the ‘Try a Sport’ part of the fortnight-long Dee Festival. Open to all young people, boys and girls, aged from 7 to 16, this is the perfect opportunity for youngsters to pick up a stick and give hockey a go. It is taking place at the hockey pitch at Crommelin Park on Friday 23rd August, with children aged between 10 and 16 on the pitch from 6-7pm and those aged 7-11 are on between 8 and 9pm. Registration is essential, so please contact dlhc@hotmail.co.uk for a form or any of the shops in Donaghadee with a ‘Try a Sport’ poster in the window also have copies. Hockey sticks will be available to borrow but children should wear shinguards (and mouthguards) if they have them.

Also pencilled in to the social diary is a joint club fundraising ‘The Ultimate Season 13/14 Curtain Raiser’ between Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club and Donaghadee Rugby Football Club. Planned for Saturday 31st August at the Rugby Club, the fun will start at 4pm with a barbeque, children’s entertainment and music, with a disco also planned for the evening. Everyone is welcome for what will no doubt be the usual excellent DLHC/DRFC entertainment. Let’s get the 13/14 season kicked off with a proper bang for both clubs!

With so much in the pipeline, up to date info can be found at http://www.donaghadeelhc.co.uk, on Facebook/donaghadeelhc, on Twitter @donaghadeelhc or email the club at dlhc@hotmail.co.uk.

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DLHC Pre-Season Club Notes

Posted on 08/07/2013 by Donaghadee LHC

It seems like no time at all since the 12/13 season wrapped up for Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club with the best league finish for years but already the girls are turning thoughts to pre-season.

Having worked with personal trainer Noel Beattie for a short time last year, the Club is delighted to be renewing acquaintances with Noel as he prepares to put the Hockettes through their paces with a Bootcamp style programme before stick work starts on the astroturf at Bangor Sportsplex mid August. Designed with hockey in mind, the pre-season will be plenty of short, sharp cardio drills to get everyone up to speed for the first matches.

With the Dee entering a 2nd XI in to the league for the first time in 30 years, a good turnout of current club members is expected, and it is also the ideal time to get involved with the club if you’ve been considering taking up or returning to hockey – you can pop along to the first pre-season training session which is taking place at the hockey pitch at Crommelin Park in Donaghadee on Tuesday 16th July at 7pm or find out more at www.DonaghadeeLHC.co.uk,on Facebook/DonaghadeeLHC, or email dlhc@hotmail.co.uk for more details.

 

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27/4/13 DLHC Vets Day

Posted on 29/04/2013 by Donaghadee LHC

Image

DLHC players past and present (L-R) Alison McNeice (76-83, 89-2011), Mandy Bret (76-82), Deborah Gilmore (2012-present), Helen Murray (81-82), Karen Gilchrist (89-93), Lisa Higgins (91-present), Orla Edgar (98-2002), Paddy Ferguson (74-89, 96-2003), Carmen van der Schyff (2010-2012), Nina Wells (present), Jennifer McVeigh (present), Robyn McVeigh (2000s), Suzie Ferguson (present), Jill Dennison (82-2007), Alison Lawther (present), Lisa Alexander (present), Ann Savage (2000s), Nicky Banford (late 90s-late 2000s)
Kneeling: Trish Vance (74-95), Carolyn Scott (2000-present), Katie Donnelly (present), Siobhan McAdam (2010-present)

Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club were delighted to play host to a Vets Day last Saturday at Crommelin Park for a mixture of both current squad members and past players of the club. There was a real range, with a number of players turning out at the weekend having first pulled on the red and green of the Dee back in the 70s. Despite the fact that some probably last picked up a stick when they last played, there was definitely no lack of competitive spirit to be found with the non-bibs squeaking a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to a Katie Donnelly goal in the second half.

Old friendships were renewed and many a vow was made that this would become a much more regular occurrence, though it remains to be seen if there were quite as many pledges when the stiffness and soreness kicked in on Sunday! For more pics of the day, visit http://www.donaghadeelhc.co.uk or Facebook.com/DonaghadeeLHC or to keep in touch about future DLHC events, email dlhc@hotmail.co.uk.

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