Kerrie and Carolyn were on the score sheet, with Jess voted Star Player against Antrim
Senior League 3: Antrim 0-2 DLHC 1XI With the end of the league programme now finally in sight, Donaghadee travelled to Antrim on Saturday in their last away fixture of the campaign.
It was positively Costa del Antrim Forum with warm sun bathing the pitch, making this match more like a summer tournament game rather than the more usual wintery hockey conditions.
The first half was an open affair with both teams providing free-flowing and entertaining hockey for the supporters on the side line, with Donaghadee’s Jordan McWilliams making good runs down the wide left channel, backed up by Helen Herron and Row Moore to build good forward momentum.
Despite both sides enjoying good possession, there wasn’t a huge amount of goal mouth action, with Dee keeper Nicola Patton only called into action on a couple of occasions to make sure the ball was shepherded to safety. Half-time score line 0-0.
Donaghadee started to exert a lot more pressure in the second half, peppering the home defence with a number of very good shots, but the Antrim keeper was in super form, denying Donaghadee’s Kerry Kennedy several opportunities that were definitely heading for the back board, only for a last ditch pad or stick turning the ball away to safety.
Donaghadee managed to break through thanks to terrific work high right from Star Player Jess Moore to create enough space to slip a ball in to the edge of the circle for Carolyn Scott to hit the ball on the turn to cannon home in off the far side board, before Kerrie Turtle made it two with a calm finish at the back post from a ball squared across the goal mouth.
With Paige Reilly and Jodie Ingham working well in tandem in the heart of defence, Kathryn Cunningham was released to pressure the ball higher up the pitch, allowing Donaghadee to maintain the high tempo and giving the defence the opportunity to pass the ball round the back in an attempt to stretch the pitch and create the gaps for the forwards to run in to.
With the heat starting to take its toll on the pace of the game, Donaghadee were able to call on subs Anna Aitken and Faith McMillan to add their fresh legs and both played well to help break down a couple of late threatening runs from the Antrim forwards, ultimately denying the hosts any return from the game, and giving Donaghadee a valuable 3 points in their quest for securing a top half finish to the season.
With thanks to DeeDee McMullan for umpiring duties and to Stanley Woods & Co Accountants for their continued support. The final flurry of games starts this Saturday (27th) at home to Parkview, pass back 2.30pm, before a nighttime fixture at home to Ballynahinch next Wednesday (1st May, 7.30pm), with the season rounding up on Saturday 4th May at 2.30pm at home to Cookstown.
Jordan put in a Star Player performance in midfield on Saturday
Senior 3: Holywood 3-1 DLHC 1XI With slightly less windy conditions on Saturday Donaghadee Ladies’ 1XI were back in action when they made the short journey to East Belfast to take on neighbours Holywood.
There has been little between the two teams throughout the season, with both level pegging in the top half of Senior 3, and indeed it was a fairly even match up on Saturday, with much of the play occurring outside the two 25s, as both teams looked to find a way through.
It was Donaghadee who opened the scoring thanks to a mazy run from Hannah Younge who went unchallenged as she approached the Holywood circle.
Before the home side could scramble their defence, Hannah had placed her shot with considerable precision just inside the keeper’s right post to give the Dee a 1-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Holywood drew level in the second quarter thanks to a penalty corner – a move which was repeated after half time to double the lead before they scored again in the final quarter to give themselves a 3-1 victory and a 3 point advantage in the league table.
Despite the result it was super to see defender Paige Reilly back pitch side after a 5 month injury lay off, while Jordan McWilliams was voted Star Player for her performance in midfield. Thanks as always to Mike Smyth for umpiring, and to the Dee supporters who definitely made themselves heard on the sideline!
Donaghadee will be looking to improve on this result when they head to Antrim on Saturday before rounding the league programme off with three home games to be slotted in before the final weekend of the season on 4th May.
Date for the Diary The club is very much looking forward to holding the main fundraiser of the year on Friday 10th May in the Meadowbank in Donaghadee. With a quiz and live music, it’s sure to be an event not to be missed. Tickets are on sale now at £5 per person. Please email dlhc@hotmail.co.uk or speak to any club member to secure your tickets.
Hannah opened the scoring with her debut goal for the club, Carolyn got 2 and Kerry scored from a penalty corner on Saturday
Senior 3: DLHC 1XI 4-1 Enniskillen With Bangor Grammar unavailable, the 1XI of Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club relocated to Londonderry Park for their Senior 3 clash with Enniskillen last Saturday in weather that threw everything at the teams, from torrential downpours before pass back to cross winds and sunny spells…
The opening exchanges were fairly even, with both teams testing the opposing defences although Donaghadee were more clinical in getting a number of threatening shots away that the Enniskillen keeper did well to repel. With the game finely poised at 0-0 going into the second quarter, Donaghadee became super efficient in the attacking circle with two goals from three on target: Hannah Younge scored her debut goal for the club in a burst from midfield that resulted in a great strike from the top of the circle, while Kerry Kennedy doubled the lead shortly after with a neat touch in at the post from a penalty corner.
A third was added by Carolyn Scott shortly before half time when she pounced on the rebound off the upright of her initial shot to fire home to give Donaghadee a good cushion going into the break.
Enniskillen kept working away in their attacking phases and their effort was rewarded when they scored a worthy goal from a penalty corner – the strike with sufficient power that it ricocheted up off a Dee stick and into the roof of the Dee net to pull one back for the visitors.
Donaghadee used that as impetus to get going again and, with some lovely one touch hockey, carved out a number of excellent chances that either squeezed just wide or were well saved by the stoic Enniskillen defence.
Carolyn added a fourth late in the final quarter to give Donaghadee a well deserved win and another three points going in to the Easter break. Coach Willie McAdam was pleased with the result, and he added his thanks to Mike Smyth and Janice McVeigh for umpiring. No hockey for the Dee this Easter weekend, with the 1XI back in action on Saturday 6th April at home to Ballynahinch.
Fundraising Quiz The club is delighted to announce that this year’s big fundraiser will be a Table Quiz with live music on Friday 10th May in the Meadowbank in Donaghadee with all proceeds going towards club funds to help cover pitch and insurance costs. £5 per person with tables of 4-6. Places are limited so early booking of tickets is highly advised! To secure tickets, please speak to Nicola Patton or email dlhc@hotmail.co.uk – we’d love to see you there!
Senior 3: DLHC 1XI 7-1 Derg Valley DLHC welcomed Derg Valley to BGS on Saturday and the home team went straight on the attack, giving the visitors no chance to settle in after their long drive. Right from the first whistle Donaghadee piled on the pressure; from a dozen visits to the Derg circle, five of the Dee’s shots were on target but three strong saves by the Derg keeper and a couple of shots wide kept things scoreless in the first quarter.
The second quarter saw a change up front with Molly and Katie McKee coming on to provide speed on the wings, with Jordan McWilliams supporting in midfield and the alternative forward line continued the theme of making sure much of the action was in the attacking half. The constant pressure started to started to tell as Donaghadee enjoyed much of the possession, firing in nine shots, over half of which were all on target.
A lovely move in midfield saw a quick interchange between Jess Moore and Kerry Kennedy released Molly wide right of the circle, and the winger was quick to fire a reverse stick shot past the keeper to break the deadlock and give Donaghadee the lead going in to half-time 1-0 to the good.
The visitors had their best spell in a more open third quarter with a number of threatening counter attacks which made it into the Dee circle but the danger was cleared before keeper Nicola Patton was called upon, thanks to Jodie Ingham and Rachel McClatchey mopping up any Derg attacks, allowing Floss Scott, Row Moore and Jan Morrow to all help going forward.
Having weathered the early Derg storm, a quick counter from the Dee saw forward Kerrie Turtle cut in from the left wing to fire a square ball across the top of the circle for Carolyn Scott to drive in and blast past the Derg keeper to make it 2-0, before another break down the left saw Kerry cutting in along the baseline to fire home number three from a tight angle.
There was no respite for Derg: every time they tried to get forward the fast passing and great running off the ball by Donaghadee all over the pitch opened them up; with less than four minutes to play in the quarter the ball was passed through all of the attackers and arrived with Molly at the top of the circle. Her shot was deflected by an unlucky defender and past the keeper to make it four.
Into the last couple of minutes of the quarter and in midfield, Hannah Younge and Helen Herron combined, with a further neat exchange between Helen and Vicky O’Neill releasing Kerrie again on the left. With a similar pass inside to her strike partner, Carolyn ensured the same outcome: an unstoppable shot to the keeper’s left the net bulging and Donaghadee 5-0 to the good.
Into the final quarter and Derg fought back with a successful penalty corner to deny the hosts a clean sheet, but that was to be their final attempt as they were pushed deeper and deeper into their own half with Molly and Carolyn both looking for their hat tricks and the whole team pushing for more goals.
One great chance broke down when a Derg defender got in the way of Carolyn’s striking the ball, but thankfully she was okay to continue. With just over five minutes remaining Jess got in on the scoring action to add number 6 before Donaghadee won a penalty corner in the dying moments of the game with Carolyn firing in to complete her hat trick and make the final result 7-1.
With thanks to Mike Smyth and Deborah Gilmore for umpiring, and well done to Hannah and Molly for their joint Star Player performances. The 1XI are in action again on Saturday away to league leaders Castle, pass back in Carrickfergus at 1pm.
A Star Player performance from Helen against KV on Saturday
Intermediate Plate: Club KV 1-0 DLHC 1XI Just two weeks after the league match between these two sides at the Dub, it was a return to the same venue for the 1XI of Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club to play Club KV, this time in the Intermediate Plate, and again with a few players missing, they knew it would be a tough day.
Right from the first whistle the home team were on the attack and threatening the Dee circle, but some excellent defensive efforts kept them away from the goal, with Jodie Ingham making a welcome return to the heart of defence.
Five minutes in and KV won their first penalty corner of the day, blocked initially by a defensive foot. The retake was fired in and well saved by Dee keeper Nicola Patton only for a quick response from a home attacker to fire the rebound home.
Although KV had most of the possession the defensive work from Jodie and Hannah Younge – with Jan Morrow and Row Moore covering the wide areas – restricted them to just 2 shots – both wide of the goals – and Vicky O’Neill playing in front of the defence turned over the ball to set Helen Herron free to counterattack.
The attacking chances for Donaghadee were few and far between, despite the best efforts of Donaghadee’s front two Carolyn Scott and Kerrie Turtle who tried their best to split the KV defence.
There was more of the same in the second quarter, with Donaghadee working really hard to keep KV out – to some success: the home side were restricted to just fours shots, all off target, and Nicola being called into action to clear crosses rather than direct shots. So to half time and it remained 1-0.
A slight change for the second half saw Hannah and Vicky swapping positions as Donaghadee looked to secure attacking ball further up the pitch, but the overall game kept the same rhythm, with KV very much on the front foot in the warm conditions. Time and again however, the efforts of Donaghadee restricting KV to just a couple of shots.
One of the few Dee forays forward saw Hannah passing through a great ball to Jordan McWilliams in the middle of the pitch, but as she tried to find Kerrie running in on goal, the pass was intercepted and the chance went begging.
On another occasion, coming out from the back Jan and Katie McKee swapped passes on the right, but again the high defensive KV line got possession back for the home team.
With the defensive work from Donaghadee frustrating KV the home team resorted to firing a few long balls across the circle, and one deflection on to Dee foot to win a penalty corner but the Dee defence saw the ball to safety.
Into the final quarter and despite the onslaught from the home side the game was still wide open. The heat and the constant pressure were starting to tell but the Donaghadee players kept going, with Nicola making another couple of saves and the defence blocking and tackling as if their lives depended on it. When the final whistle blew it was a tight 1-0 win for the home side and they progress to the quarter final.
A superb defensive performance from the whole Donaghadee team, and ultimately without reward, but coach Willie McAdam was pleased with the overall effort and everyone playing their part in an improved performance on the previous outing. With congratulations to Helen Herron for her star performance in midfield, and thanks to Paula Bradshaw for umpiring duties.
The 1XI are back in league action on Saturday when they welcome Derg Valley to BGS, pass back 2.30pm and all support is warmly welcome!
Junior 9A: DLHC 2XI 2-1 Instonians The 2XI were at home on Saturday for what was their final match of a short season. Their opponents, table-topping Instonians 3rds, arrived with an unblemished record of 100% league wins this season, and having been on the wrong end of a 5-0 drubbing in the reverse fixture, there was an air of trepidation among the Dee ladies as the match started.
In a throwback to the match at Shaw’s Bridge, Captain Floss Patton and her defenders had a sense of déjà vu as the match started with a series of penalty corners, but alongside keeper Janice McVeigh – between the posts in only her second game of the season and doing an exceptional job – they kept Inst. at bay on numerous occasions until a strong strike broke the deadlock at the sixth penalty corner attempt.
Rather than opening the floodgates however, the goal galvanised the Dee girls. Just before the end of the quarter, a midfield interception by Erin Hamilton set Tasha McGimpsey – returning for her first game post-maternity – away down the right wing. Her cross was met by Emily Morris in the circle, who showed both tenacity and skill to overcome two defenders and score with a reverse strike to level the scores at the end of the first quarter.
It was this fighting spirit that each and every Donaghadee player showed over and over again during the next two quarters. Johneena Brown, Anna Aitken and Caroline Davison hassled and harried players, giving the opposition no time to settle on the ball. Abbie Brown and Lauren Niblock showed their quality and versatility in both midfield and defence, and Laura Hamilton threw her body on the line (quite literally – knees, hands, head, you name it!) to block shots on goal. It remained 1-1 going into quarter four, with every Dee girl giving their all.
Sensing their perfect record was on the line, Instonians upped their game in the final quarter. Alongside Floss, Claire Horne and Lisa Higgins continued to show calm heads in defence, blocking numerous crosses and repeatedly clearing their lines until, with 10 minutes to go, Inst. were awarded a penalty corner. Despite the Dee’s best efforts, another clean strike hit the backboard and broke Dee hearts.
The game finished 2-1 to Instonians, but every player went home with their heads held high, proud of the collective team effort in their final game of the season which saw them finishing a superb fourth in the league.
Thanks go to Ruby Donaldson for helping out with umpiring duties, as well as to all those who have played, umpired, supported and coached this season.
The 2s rounded off a superb season by finishing fourth in the league on Saturday
Junior 9A: Castle 0-4 DLHC 2XI Donaghadee 2nd XI headed to Carrickfergus on Friday night for their penultimate game of the season against Castle 4s. With the rain coming in as the game got underway, the home team didn’t play down to their bottom of the league position; they were soon on the attack as they sought to avenge their 3-0 loss earlier in the season, requiring a bit of frantic defending early on by the Dee until they settled into their stride.
With Lisa Higgins and Vicky O’Neill winning lots of ball in central positions in front of the back four, and the left-sided combination of Laura Hamilton and Row Moore making strides up the wing, the Dee’s first big chance came from a familiar move with Molly McKee driving on and making space for a great cross, but her ball evaded her forward partners. The action continued in end to end fashion with both sides creating chances but the defences held firm and it remained scoreless at the quarter end.
With Lauren Niblock and Jordan McWilliams coming on for Q2, the Dee were quickly into their attacking stride, and just two minutes in they took the lead, with Jordan’s powerful straight strike from a penalty corner beating the Castle keeper. The goal settled Dee nerves and they started to dominate play and possession. Another great run down the left wing from Molly saw the ball reach Erin Hamilton on the right, but her shot was well saved.
The reprieve was short-lived, however. With 5 minutes to half time Jordan picked up the ball on the 23, raced into the circle and fired it high into the net to double the lead with a brilliant individual goal. There was still time for Lisa and Katie McKee to create chances but the Castle defence kept them out and at halftime it was still 2-0.
Vicky and Laura returned to the lineup for the second half, but the personnel changes didn’t faze the Dee, with no let-up in attack. In an uncanny repeat of Q2, a penalty corner in the second minute of Q3 was slotted home by Vicky to make the scoreline 3-0 and the Dee well at truly in the ascendancy. A few minutes later another PC was fired across from right to left but Molly’s shot flew just wide.
When the home side managed rare forays into the Dee’s 23, defenders Floss Patton, Claire Horne, and Natalie Jamieson worked hard to keep it away from keeper Faith McMillen, who was a spectator for much of the match. Vicky, Jordan and Molly continued to create chances but couldn’t add to their tally, and Lauren’s delight at earning her side a PC was short-lived with the decision went against the Dee, meaning the score remained at 3-0 at the end of the third quarter.
Into the final quarter and coach Willie McAdam continued to freshen things up, the high pace was maintained as Vicky and Katie opened up the right, Jordan ran through the middle, and Molly owned the left, but despite lots of pressure the ball refused to go in. Jordan had a couple of chances to complete her hat trick and Molly was thwarted by both the keeper and the post.
But as time counted down, Molly collected a ball at the top of the circle, switched to her left and scored a fabulous goal with a strong reverse strike to make it 4 and seal not only the victory but also her Star Player award for the match.
All in all it was a superb performance by the whole team and a well deserved win which cements the team’s 4th spot in the league. Thanks go to Nicola Patton for giving up her Friday night to umpire. Next week the 2nds play their final game of a short season; pushback is 1pm at Bangor Grammar against unbeaten league leaders Instonians, and your support would be warmly welcomed.
The 1XI are in Plate action on Saturday when they travel to the Dub (again!) to play Club KV for the second time in as many weeks, pass back 2.30pm.
Senior 3: Club KV 3-1 DLHC 1XI Donaghadee Firsts came up against a young and well organised Club KV in the late pass back match at the Dub on Saturday.
Shorn of no fewer than six regular starters, it was quite a different look to the team with full credit going to the 2XI players who came straight from their game at BGS to play their part. Donaghadee also welcomed Emma McGimpsey-Young back from injury, and were pleased to see newcomer Hannah Younge making her debut for the club.
With the new line up and various players playing out of position, it was little surprise that KV started the stronger of the two sides, rattling in three goals in the first half in what looked as though it could be a long afternoon for Donaghadee.
After the half time regroup Donaghadee started to make a much better fist of things, with Kerrie Turtle making a couple of lung-busting runs up front and twins Molly and Katie McKee providing the outlets down the wide channels.
Indeed it was a combination of Molly and Katie which created Donaghadee’s best opportunity: a drive down the left from Molly, a quick cross to Katie at the top of the circle followed by a neat pass in to Carolyn Scott who hit the ball on the turn to smash the ball between the KV keeper’s legs and Donaghadee were off the mark.
With Jess Moore and Helen Herron doing their best to provide a link between midfield and the forwards in the middle of the pitch, it was down to Jan Morrow and Row Moore to stem the flow on the wings but some smart movement from KV saw them working the ball well to create a number of attacking opportunities.
They found Emma in imperious form at the top of the Dee circle however: on numerous occasions, Emma positioned herself perfectly to intercept the direct ball in to break up the attack. Hannah was also dropping back in to help out deep in defence, proving herself a versatile addition to the team, while Natalie Jamieson also cut out a couple of pinpoint crosses aimed at the KV forwards.
It was all hands to the defensive pump for Donaghadee and both Row and Vicky O’Neill made vital interceptions to clear the Dee lines, but Donaghadee keeper Nicola Patton earned herself this week’s Star Player award for the quality of saves she made to ensure that KV had no further goals to add to their tally. Final score 3-1, with thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring.
The Firsts have a week off and then they’re back to KV for the next round of the Plate!
The 2XI beat Ballynahinch 1-0 thanks to a well-worked penalty corner in the final quarter, with Vicky O’Neill getting the final touch to take the victory. The 2s head to Castle on Friday night in the penultimate fixture of their season, pass back in Carrickfergus at 7.30pm.
Nicola was voted Star Player for the Firsts on Saturday
All white on the night! The Firsts beat Newry 2-0 on Friday night
Senior League 3: Newry 0-2 DLHC 1XI Having just reached the half way point in the 23/24 league programme, things are tight in the top half of Senior 3, with a number of teams jockeying for position in the second to sixth spots and Donaghadee occupying third.
The team set off for Newry to play in the Friday night match knowing that a good result would help keep them right in the mix as the season trundles on. An excellent first quarter saw Donaghadee pile plenty of pressure on the home side with Carolyn Scott opening the scoring midway through; an unstoppable shot from wide right flew past the Newry keeper into the bottom left corner to give Donaghadee the lead.
The second quarter was a much more even affair with the home team taking advantage of the slow pitch to thwart Donaghadee’s attacks and set up their own attempts, threatening the Dee circle from both flanks, but without making any inroad into changing the score line.
With the sluggish second quarter out of the way, Donaghadee once again proved threatening in attack but the Newry goalkeeper was in excellent form, making a number of vital saves to keep the score line down. Donaghadee doubled their lead in the final quarter with the ball having slipped between keeper and defender to leave Jordan McWilliams a straightforward tap in at the back post and give Donaghadee the victory and another valuable 3 points.
Well done to Star Player Jess Moore and thanks to Willie McAdam for umpiring. Next up is an away trip to the Dub on Saturday when the Firsts take on KV in the game scheduled to pass back at 4.15pm.
Junior League 9A: South Antrim 1-1 DLHC 2XI With further injuries impacting the players available, Donaghadee 2s headed to Lisburn to play South Antrim 6s on Saturday afternoon.
Right from the start, the front line of Molly McKee, Katie McKee and Dawn McDonald were causing problems for the home side with wave after wave of attacks. Backed up by Anna Aitken & Erin Hamilton most of the play was in South Antrim’s half of the pitch. Two good runs from Molly both saw the final pass just evade her partners sticks. A couple of penalty corners were saved and as the quarter ended it was still scoreless.
The quarter time talk from coach Willie McAdam and captain Erin motivated the team and quarter two started in similar attacking vein. Only a couple of minutes had gone when Molly raced into the circle to meet the ball and sweep it through the keeper into the net and give Donaghadee a well deserved lead.
The goal seemed to fire the home team into life and for the remainder of the quarter Dee struggled to get out of their half. South Antrim pushed down both sides but great work from Caroline Davison, Row Moore and Claire Horne in particular, kept them away from the goal. As the minutes counted down, a move down the left saw the ball switched to centre and a run into the circle with a shot from top right drew the home side level at half-time.
Quarter three saw a return to the dominance of Donaghadee, with Lauren Niblock moving to left midfield helping switch the ball down the line to Molly who continued to harass the home defence. One run from Row Moore at the back saw her pick the ball up at her own 23, keep pressing forward to finally reach the opposite circle, where unfortunately the final pass ran wide. The home defence was ferociously combative, with a couple of their players sustaining injuries in their efforts to keep Donaghadee at bay! With five minutes left in the quarter however the Dee lost Laura Hamilton as she took unwell.
The final quarter saw lots of pressure from the visitors but again no reward. At the other end South Antrim were also held off by theDonaghadee defence, thanks to Erin moving back into Laura’s position, Abbie Brown on the right and our keeper Faith McMullan. The final whistle blew with a 1-1 draw the final outcome.
In a game where a number of players had to play in different positions, it was a good effort but the players felt they could have had more on the scoreboard. So plenty of positives, and also lots to work on at training on Wednesday evening.
Big Thanks to Nicola Patton for umpiring, and this week’s star player was Lauren Niblock who is growing in skills and confidence every week.
The next match is Saturday 10th Feb 24 at home to Ballynahinch, pass back 1pm at BGS.
A Star Player performance for the Firsts from Helen on Saturday against Kilkeel
Senior League 3: DLHC 1XI 0-3 Kilkeel It was a tough start to the second half of the season for Donaghadee Ladies’ 1XI as Kilkeel sought revenge for the opening day 3-1 defeat at home back in September.
With a number of players reporting for duty either having been unwell in the week, or carrying injury, it felt as though the team was seemingly held together with Lemsip and sticking plasters!
A cagey first quarter, albeit played at a ferocious pace - kept up for much of the game – meant that neither side managed a shot on target, Donaghadee with one shot wide being the only clear effort in that period.
Donaghadee started quarter two with a flat out assault on the Kilkeel goal with the midfield of Jordan McWilliams, Kerry Kennedy and Helen Herron creating the platform for the forwards to get a couple of dangerous shots away.
A quick counter however saw Kilkeel win a sideline ball on the left. An aerial over the top caught the Dee defence unawares and the forward pounced as the ball landed to give Kilkeel the the lead in the 21st minute.
Both teams continued to play with pace and some excellent moves saw the shot count rise, with both keepers in action. Kerrie Turtle had a double effort well saved by the Kilkeel keeper, while Nicola Patton in the Dee goal was on her toes to clear for the home side.
With a couple of minutes left in the quarter, Kilkeel looked to double their lead but the shot from the top of the circle which was heading goalward was deflected wide by the attacker trying to force it home!
Then with seconds remaining the visitors were awarded a penalty corner and despite a heroic attempted block by Jodie Ingham, Kilkeel converted totake a 2-0 lead at half time.
The third quarter was a very tight affair, with few clear chances for either side. Kathryn Cunningham was a rock in the centre of the Donaghadee defence, helping to restrict the Kilkeel attack to outside the circle, and driving forward in support when she could.
Donaghadee’s two wide defenders, Rachel McClatchey and Row Moore also pushed up to help the attack and the extra bodies helped earn three penalty corners – unfortunately for Donaghadee, all unconverted.
Into the final quarter and it was more of the same. The game was largely played between the 23s with Donaghadee using Jess Moore and Vicky O’Neill as the runners in midfield.
Both sides only had a further couple of clear chances, with one break from Donaghadee seeing a 3 v 2 in the final quarter, but the Kilkeel keeper was off her line quickly to block Carolyn Scott’s rocket of a shot.
As the final five minutes approached, a break from the right from the visitors saw the ball fired across goal and a Kilkeel attacker just got the final touch to divert it past Nicola to secure a 3 goal advantage and the 3 points which, despite the scoreline, was in reality a very close game between two very evenly matched teams!
Helen was voted Star Player for her lung-busting runs from midfield and never-say-die attitude, and she thanked Deborah Gilmour for umpiring duties. The team travel to Newry on Friday night, pass back at 7.45pm.
Junior League 9A: DLHC 2XI 2-0 Newry In the 1pm slot on Saturday, the Seconds welcomed Newry to BGS, hoping to repeat their away success of earlier in the season.
Due to a Spond Mummy/Daughter Hockey Team mix-up that worked in the 2s favour, returning Katie Donnelly looked like she’d never been away with a solid defensive performance. Alongside Katie D were Lisa Higgins, Vicky O’Neill and new to a defensive position, Lauren Niblock who rose well to the new challenge.
The first quarter was a cagey, tight affair with both teams only managing a single clear shot, both of which were off target.In the second quarter the hosts started to build into their game and both Molly and Katie McKee went close without success. However, as half time approached Donaghadee’s efforts were rewarded when Molly opened the scoring in the 27th minute, giving the Dee a 1-0 going in to half time.
During the third quarter it was very much one way traffic. The pace of Katie and Molly, well supported by Emily Morris, Dawn McDonald and Jordan McWilliams created a number of opportunities but Newry’s defence and keeper kept them out.
The visitors struggled to get out of their half with Dee’s midfield of Johneena Brown, Caroline Davison and Erin Hamilton working well together to keep the play away from their danger zone. Frustratingly, at the 3/4 mark it was still only 1-0.
For the final quarter the hosts shuffled the pack once more with Johneena and Erin moving into more defensive roles. Frustration continued when a couple of PCs were scrambled away and the keeper saved time again and time again.
With the clock marching on, Newry broke through into the Dee circle but thankfully was cleared by a solid defence. Finally, with just a couple of minutes remaining, the ball broke to Dawn in front of goal and she fired it high into the net to double the advantage.
Newry had one final chance at the other end but a super save from Faith McMillan allowed her to keep a clean sheet, and giving Donaghadee a 2-0 win; an excellent result in the end, with credit to the Newry keeper as the Dee ran up 10 shots on target!
The full-time score of 2-0 was reflective of a real team effort with members willingly trying out new positions they had not played before.
Big thanks to Row for umpiring and thank you to those who came down to support the team on Saturday. This week’s star player was well earned by Katie D. Hopefully this means she won’t pack her kit away and will be back again soon!
The next match is Saturday 3rd Feb 24 away to South Antrim.
Dawn and Molly were on target to give the 2s to a 2-0 victory over Newry 2s
Senior 3: Parkview 0-0 DLHC 1XI It was an open and scrappy first quarter for the 1XIs of Parkview and Donaghadee Ladies last Saturday in the final match of the first half of the Senior 3 season.
Donaghadee really struggled to settle into their stride in the opening exchanges and indeed it was the home team with the first break through when they created a chance at the top of the Donaghadee circle to fire a shot in on target but the Dee defence was able to clear the danger.
At the other end Donaghadee finally registered their first shot on target as the quarter entered the final minute, but the Parkview keeper was equal to it to leave the scoreboard untroubled as the whistle went for quarter time.
If the first period was a struggle for Donaghadee, things didn’t improve much in quarter two, as they found it hard to retain possession, only managing a single shot wide of the goal to show for their efforts. At the other end, Parkview looked the more threatening, with a penalty corner and a shot to their name, but half time was reached and things were still scoreless.
The half-time oranges seemed to waken Donaghadee up a little and the team started to get their game together. A number of breaks down the right caused the home side problems, and a couple of well-won penatly corners helped the stats, but didn’t change the score, with one saved and one sliding wide of the post.
As the quarter entered the final couple of minutes, another break on the right saw a Dee shot on goal heading to the top corner but unfortunately the ball hit the Parkview sweeper and the game was stopped for five minutes while the injury was dealt with.
Into the final quarter and it was largely one way traffic for Donaghadee as they applied wave after wave of pressure with attacks launched on the Parkview goal from all angles. Despite a number of shots on target and a couple of very well struck penalty corners, the Parkview keeper kept up an excellent defensive performance to keep Donaghadee out.
The final whistle blew and it was still scoreless, with an excellent defensive performance from Parkview getting them a deserved point. Captain Jan Morrow was voted Player of the Match and she thanked Mike Smyth for umpiring and extended Donaghadee’s good wishes to the Parkview captain for a speedy recovery.
The 1XI have a week off before back to match action on Saturday 27th January.
Jan put in a Star Player performance for the 1XI against Parkview
Junior League 9A: Dromore 3-1 DLHC 2XI On Saturday DLHC 2s faced visiting team Dromore at Bangor Grammar School. The game kicked off with an early offensive move from Dromore which was swiftly thwarted by a wonder save from Dee keeper Faith McMullan.
After some end to end play, a penalty corner was taken against the Dee defensive line up consisting of Lisa Higgins, Claire Horne, Zoe Turtle and Laura Hamilton. With an excellent wide ball from Zoe and speedy working back of Caroline Davison the ball was delivered to Molly McKee on the left wing who with her usual pace, rattled up the side line making the first of Dee’s many attacks. Sadly it was not to be this quarter, ending 0-0.
The second quarter say Dee stepping it up with fantastic play in the centre of the pitch. Lisa finding herself in an unfamiliar position of right back, intercepted a shot from Dromore attackers passing it onto Abbie Brown who picked the ball up before delivering it to Molly in the circle scoring what can only be described as a Kerry Kennedy style near impossible goal from the back line into the top corner of the net, giving Dee a 1-0 advantage at the end of the first half.
Coming into the second half, Dromore came back fighting and broke into the circle scoring their first goal of the game matching the score to 1-1. Laura Niblock, Johneena Brown and Emily Morris worked tirelessly to regain the ball and pass it out to Molly on the left, supported by Katie McKee on the right. Despite 5 chances in the circle the Dromore keeper was not letting the ball past, keeping the score to 1-1.
The final quarter saw a shift in the game with Dromore dominating most of the play with countless attacks. Midfielder and captain Erin Hamilton worked with Abbie in defence to try deliver the ball to the forwards but who could just not get it past a strong Dromore defence. Following a converted penalty corner and Dromore taking advantage of another couple of dangerous attacks, the clock hit full time and the game ended 3-1 to the visiting team.
Thank you to those who came down to support the team on Saturday. This week’s star player was awarded to Lisa who despite being over on the right and away from her usual position on the left (at least on paper!) did not hesitate to get stuck in and support the team across the pitch.
There is no game for the 2s next week but both teams return to Bangor Grammar on Saturday 27th January, starting with the 2s against Newry at 1pm where all support will be welcome and appreciated.
Lisa was voted Star Player for the 2XI on Saturday
Donaghadee LHC 