Donaghadee’s playing resources were stretched to the limit in this crucial Kukri Qualifying Two league battle – especially up front where, in the front row alone, skipper Gareth Gordon was unavailable, Dan Lindsey succumbed to damaged rib cartilages sustained during the week and long term injury victims Chris Good and Gareth Deering were absent. With another three regulars missing in the pack’s back five the engine room had a decidedly unfamiliar look about it. To compound matters lock Tommy Scullion picked up a knock during the warm-up and was unable to start and within ten minutes of kick-off centre Mark Cooper suffered a recurrence of an old shoulder injury and had to leave proceedings for the rest of the afternoon.

The Dee started strongly and immediately pressed the opposition line but a lack of concentration allowed Lisburn to break ninety metres down the pitch and – from the ensuing home line-out their blindside flanker crashed over for an unconverted try. Donaghadee were suffering from a lack of primary possession in the set phases but were competing well in open play, however a succession of penalties allowed the home side to gain momentum and open up an 8-0 lead on twenty five minutes from a simple penalty conversion. No further scoring took place prior to halftime and at the break the Dee faithful on the side line agreed that, although under severe pressure at times, their side were by no means out of the game.

Unfortunately however, four minutes into the second-half, a misunderstanding in defence, allowed the Lisburn flanker to complete his brace and the home side moved to a 15-0 lead. On the re-start circumstances were once again to legislate against the Co. Down side when debutant back-rower Conor McKee was seriously injured in a ruck requiring a stoppage to play for some twenty minutes whilst an ambulance was called for the unfortunate youngster. Once the game got underway again the Dee initially appeared to have weathered the storm but Lisburn pressure on the attacking twenty two was converted into points when an overturned scrum allowed the scrum-half to dart through and score virtually unopposed. Soon afterwards the Dee lost Adam Torrans to a yellow card after a general warning from the referee. Although continuing to operate on a paucity of primary possession the Dee were threatening via the carrying of Chris and Paul Hamilton and the elusiveness of Ryan Irvine but, as is more often the case than not, were caught out playing catch-up rugby and the home side scored two further tries before the referee brought matters to a close after a difficult eighty minutes for the visiting side.

There is no doubt that the current injury crisis is causing the Dee great difficulty but thanks must go to the players who have stood in such as Garth Bennett who moved up from the 3rd XV to play tight head and never took a backward step at a level he has not played at in quite some years. Thanks are also due to Lisburn RFC for the care and attention afforded by their medical and support staff to Conor McKee as a result of his injury. Early reports suggest that Conor’s knee injury may not be as serious as first feared but he will still face an extended period out of the game – his team mates and all at Donaghadee wish him a speedy recovery.

Other results on Saturday mean that Ballymoney are automatically relegated from Q2 by virtue of finishing in 10th place. The 9th placed team (a position which Donaghadee currently occupy with three games still to play) will face a play-off against the 2nd placed Q3 side. If Bangor gain promotion to the Ulster Bank League via the current Round Robin series then both the 9th placed Q2 side and 2nd placed Q3 side will play in Q2 next season.