North Down entertained South Antrim at Comber Leisure Centre on Saturday in the semi-final of the Irish Trophy and looking to reach the final for the third time. By coincidence, the visitors were the opposition in the final five years ago when North Down won 3-2.The game started at a fast pace in front of the largest crowd of the season and it was South Antrim who had the opening chances, however Darren Rodgers in the home goal made two top saves in the opening minutes. But after 5 minutes Jamie Orr scored with a strong strike to give the home team a dream start. Two minutes later a mazy run from captain Ross Linter along the right channel created the opportunity for Josh Gilmore to score North Down’s 2nd. North Down settled into the game and started to play some flowing hockey eventually leading to a short corner which Phil Templeton dispatched right at the close of the first quarter leaving North Down well in control South Antrim to their credit didn’t disappear and retaliated with a goal by Max Taylor on 23 minutes to keep the game alive. Despite chances at either end it remained 3-1 at half time.Into the second half Darren Rodgers made an important save on 48 minutes from the visitors' striker who looked certain to score but he was unable to keep out James Brown who brought it back to 3-2 from a penalty corner 2 minutes later to reignite the contest. However, North Down continued to play impressive attacking hockey and replied again with a Templeton drag flick to regain the two goal advantage. The last quarter was just as entertaining, with South Antrim awarded a penalty stroke. Rodgers in the home goal stood strong with an excellent save to maintain North Down's advantage. This was a pivotal moment, as North Down went on to score two more from Gareth McKeown and Andrew Welsh to round off a fantastic 6-2 victory and secure passage to the Irish Trophy final in Dublin.Despite the apparently convincing scoreline, there was little to choose between the two teams. If anything, South Antrim made more mistakes at important moments and the form of Rodgers in the home goal was decisive.Burch Autos Man of the Match was Darren Rodgers.
On Saturday North Down ladies seconds travelled to Havelock Park for their Junior League Two match against Banbridge seconds. Bann had first pass back but within the first minute North Down won their first short corner which was converted by Ali Millar to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead. North Down continued to dominate…
North Down thirds hosted Cookstown thirds at Comber Leisure Centre last Saturday in glorious sunshine. After the previous week’s heavy defeat, the home side was hoping for an all round better performance. The hosts started the brighter and controlled the game but that final pass high up the pitch limited their scoring opportunities. Cookstown held…
North Down thirds made the short trip to Stormont to play local rivals Civil Service seconds on Saturday and following a feisty pre season match this was always going to be a competitive match. In previous games it took the thirds to go behind before they found that extra gear and Saturday’s game plan was to…
North Down seconds played Bangor seconds at Regent House last Friday night. The fixture earlier in the season finished 6-5 to the Bangor team and the game was end to end throughout but this game proved to be much different in most aspects. In the opening quarter both teams were contesting to take control of…
In their first competitive fixture of the season North Down entertained Lisnagarvey in the Kirk Cup at Comber Leisure Centre. With Garvey having won every competition available to them last season, North Down knew they were going to be up against it but their cause was slightly helped by the fact that some of the…
Any idea when the final will be ?
7 May likely at UCD Dublin