1 week Ago
One trophy has already been secured after Dungannon Ladies claimed the Irish Hockey Challenge Cup at the weekend — and three more could be set to follow. On May 3, Dungannon Swifts FC take on Cliftonville in the Irish Cup final —the same day and time as Dungannon RFC take on Ballynahinch RFC in the Ulster Senior Cup final at Kingspan Stadium. The following week, on May 10, the hockey team will be aiming to retain the Ulster Senior Cup against Randalstown at Stormont.
The three clubs are situated just a few minutes’ walk from each other — on the same side of the same road — and there are strong bonds between players and supporters. Nicola Cardwell, the chair of Dungannon Hockey Club, said excitement is building in the community. “This is a small town.
Everyone knows each other. We are all interlinked. We are always crossing paths with each other,” she said.
“My daughter, myself and a few others are intending to go to the Swifts’ final. A few people will go to the rugby. They are both at the same time, unfortunately.
“I have extended the invitation to the other clubs as well, to see if they could come to ours [final].” On Saturday, Dungannon Ladies, coached by Norman Purdy, won the Irish Hockey Challenge Cup after beating Instonians 2-1. In less than a month, they will be going for cup glory once more, against Randalstown, aiming to cap the club’s 50th anniversary year in style.
“It is particularly poignant for us this year because of the anniversary,” Nicola explained. “The girls have done very well. They are also in a play-off situation to go up from Senior One to the Premier League, which is the top level of hockey in Ulster.
It has been a great season.” The hockey club actually began life training at Stangmore Park, the home of Dungannon Swifts, and have used both the football and rugby club’s facilities for their events. Captain Lucy Redmond is a footballer herself and a big Swifts fan.
At the Swifts, head coach Rodney McAree has just been crowned the NI Football League’s Manager of the Year. He has guided his hometown club to fifth in the Sports Direct Premiership — and they are aiming to lift the Irish Cup for the first time next month, when they come up against Cliftonville. “It’s fantastic for the town to see the football, rugby and hockey clubs doing so well,” Rodney said.
“There is a good buzz about the town, across all the clubs, and everyone is striving for the same thing. Hopefully we can bring a bit of silverware back to the town. “The hockey team had a great success on Saturday and have another massive final next month.
So hopefully there are a few more trophies heading this way. “There is also our friend James Slater [ex-Swifts player], who has done a fantastic job with Dungannon Clarkes, the GAA side. The various clubs’ success has really lifted the mood around the town.
” Rugby coach Jonny Gillespie said it is unusual to have three clubs from the same town going for sporting glory. “The club would be connected to the other clubs more through friends and family,” he explained. “Normally there are two or so clubs in a town going to semi-finals, but three in finals is quite rare.
It’s amazing to see the hockey, rugby and football teams all have successful seasons. “We are going to the Senior Cup final on May 3 against Ballynahinch. They are a league above us, so we’ll have to play really well.
“We are excited. We’ve had a really good season and this is a nice way to finish it off. We’ve got to knuckle down and be the best possible version of ourselves.
“But we absolutely wish the other clubs all the best as well.”.
