Colm Higgins RIP
Erin’s Own Lavey are saddened to announce the passing of our former club chairman, Colm Higgins. In his own gentle way, Colm Higgins revolutionised Lavey. His legacy is all around us and it is wonderful. A former footballer and hurler with the club, Colm Higgins served nine years as our chairman. During his first term (1978-80) a new pavilion was constructed. The building was extended during his second term (1986-91) – when it also welcomed home Derry, Ulster and All-Ireland Champions – and is the nucleus of the facility that every citizen in our parish now enjoys. A kind, compassionate and honourable man, Colm Higgins will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Colm’s wife Celine and the Higgins family. A truly great man is gone, but his memory and his gift of legacy to the people of Lavey will endure. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
Club Membership and Registration 2022
Club registration – which will be online only – for the 2022 season is now available through the new official GAA system foireann.ie [or returntoplay.gaa.ie].
Please note that this is the same system that all parents and players will have used in the past when completing the Health Questionnaires during recent years. Health Questionnaires are no longer required. If you do not already have an account, or have forgotten your login details, please follow the relevant links on the system.
Senior playing and non playing membership is priced at £20 with underage membership £10 (for football/hurling and camogie). Ladies football senior (£35), underage U11.5-U18 (£25), U7.5-U9.5 (£15).
It is mandatory to be registered with the club to play or coach with any team; this will also cover your insurance should a serious injury arise.
Note for Parents:
A entire family can now register at once by visiting the ‘Family’ section of the system, creating a family and then adding your dependents’ details.
The appropriate memberships (GAA, Camogie, Ladies Football) can then be selected for each child. Please ensure that the correct option is closen for each code. The clubs associated with your account can be viewed in the profile section of the site.
Parents who completed health forms for the various codes throughout 2020 should have these already in place. If not it is simple to add to your profile.
This is a one time process and completing this step will also help us efficiently manage club communications in the coming years.
Useful links can be found at the system help pages. Click here for more.
Or to get started, simply visit returntoplay.gaa.ie.
Email contacts: pro.lavey.derry@gaa.ie (hurling/football), laveyladiesgaelic@outlook.com (ladies football), secretary.lavey.derry@camogie.ie (camogie).
Return to Play: Dealing with positive symptomatology
Interim Guidance by The GAA (30.06.2020)
The advice below is relevant to all adult and underage players.
Close v Casual Contacts – current definition for Gaelic Games
1. If a player reports positive symptoms on their Health Questionnaire, or has tested positive for Covid-19 within the 48 hour period following a training session or game, members of the infected player’s team and backroom team (e.g. Manager, Coach, Selectors etc) should be considered close contacts until advised otherwise by Public Health authorities.
2. If the incident occurs arising from a game situation between two different teams, a risk assessment should be performed by Public Health Guidelines to ascertain whether some or all of the members of the opposing team should be considered close contacts.
Process:
In either of the scenarios outlined above, the following process should be followed:
1. Player should not attend training/game/work, should self-isolate and contact GP to arrange testing.
2. Player should also inform Covid supervisor of relevant team
3. If the positive symptomatology has arisen and a match has occurred involving that player in the preceding 48 hours, a risk assessment should be performed by Public Health to ascertain whether some or all of the members of the opposing team should be considered close contacts.
4. Player undergoes Covid swab test (usually arranged by Public Health Authorities or GP within 24 hours of referral).
If positive symptoms in player are within 48 hours of last collective training session or game, his/her team should:
5. Defer all activity (training and games) until test results are available as all squad will be considered close contacts if the individual tests positive for Covid 19.
6. If the test is negative, training and games can resume while continuing to adhere to all control measures & pre training / games health questionnaire. The player can return to activity once symptom free for 48 hours.
7. If the test is positive – all further activity suspended until public health contact tracers carry out full close contact assessment and testing.
8. Team members (including Manager, Coach, selectors etc) self-isolate as per public health advice and until advised otherwise
At all times, players who test positive should get medical assessment and clearance prior to returning to training and competitive activity.
Please note that Public health expert advice is evolving in this area and current guidance will be updated regularly.
COVID-19: Lavey return to play measures
Following the appointment of Dr Ronan Kehoe to help spearhead the response of Erin’s Own Lavey to the GAA Return to Play pathway, the club confirms the following has taken place:
- Appointed COVID supervisors responsible for ensuring COVID protocols, collating health questionnaires and cleaning and sanitising facilities
- The club will ensure necessary social distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. Signage will be provided to inform members
- Adult players and parents/ guardians of underage players will be required to complete the online health questionnaire (once prior to their return with a subsequent declaration prior to each weekly training)
- Personal equipment ( water bottles) will not be shared. Other equipment can be shared but must be washed / sanitised at the beginning and end of training and games
- Teams will return to training and games in a staged manner
- Parents / Guardians will be responsible for dropping underage players to and from training
The Covid Health Questionnaire each person participating in Gaelic Games must complete prior to the first occasion that they return to their club is now available.
Forms can be accessed by visiting the URL https://returntoplay.gaa.ie.
Each person participating in Gaelic Games must also re-confirm that their Health Status hasn’t changed on each subsequent occasion that they participate.
Parents/Guardians can submit forms on behalf of their dependents and forms can also be submitted on behalf of persons who may struggle with completing the electronic form themselves.
COVID Supervisors in clubs can verify that individual members of their teams/panels have submitted forms and are permitted to participate.
They do not have access to view the specific information provided via the Health Questionnaire, they will simply be able to see that the questionnaire has been submitted. Personal Information contained on the Health Questionnaires is stored for a maximum period of three weeks.
Go HERE for information on how to fill out the Covid Health Questionnaire.
All Covid Supervisors/Club Officers, Players/Team Personnel, and the Parents/Guardians of Underage Players must also complete the GAA’s Covid-19 Club Education eLearning Module.
Go HERE to access the GAA’s Covid-19 Club Education eLearning Module
Go HERE to access the GAA’s policy on dealing with positive symptomology
Update: Lavey Community Support Group
As the seriousness of Covid 19 increases and more people test positive for this virus, we wish to ask our community to keep following the protocols on good hand hygiene, social distancing and maintaining good practice. This is vital to keep everyone safe and to enable families to look after their older family members and neighbours.
We are now approaching the end of the month and many parishioners will require new medical supplies from their chemists.
In conjunction with the local pharmacies, our Community Support Group is ready to deliver these. All medicines will be left on your doorstep and the door knocked. The delivery driver will stand back a minimum of 2 meters from your door so feel free to come out – say hello and let the delivery person know how you are, if there is anything that you need or if there is anything that concerns you. All delivery drivers will be individuals from the Parish.
You are allowed out to purchase basic foods but if this is something that you cannot do or would feel is much too risky, please contact Boyles shop or other local suppliers and ask if they will deliver. If there is an issue with getting the delivery on time, contact the community support personnel or Lavey Young at Heart club personnel and we will arrange delivery. You can leave out the payment in advance for collection. It will not be possible to provide change.
Keeping in touch with each other is important. We live in a rural society and as part of your day, consider taking a walk with your immediate family along the road you live on and as long as good social distancing is practiced, speak to your neighbours, wave in at them as don’t hesitate to ask they how they are doing.
The current situation may appear an anxious time to many but as a community we can protect each other, look out for each other, use our spare time to get those odd jobs done and spend good family time together. We will come through this as a stronger community and a better society.
Shop names and numbers.
Boyle’s Shop Phone: 028 7964 3997
Bradley’s, Maghera 02879644545 (can deliver hot dinners)
Kelly’s, Maghera 02879643390
Crawford’s, Maghera 02879642369
Kelly’s, Castledawson 02879469400
Toner’s, Castledawson 02879469700
JC Stewart’s 02879302930
All of the above take credit/debit cards. Some will prepack your order and bring it to your vehicle if you wish to drive in.
Finally, let us also take time to thank and appreciate our exceptional health care staff and ensure that going forward, they are well supported.
Lavey Community Response to COVID-19
With the spread of Coronavirus (Covid 19) happening throughout the country, so too is the heightening concern of many who may be worried of what the coming period may mean to them, and how it may affect their lives.
Lavey Community has always been about looking out and caring for one another and especially in a time of need. Under the present circumstances, particularly for the elderly or those who may be unable to leave their own homes, we could be entering a period of significant apprehension and worry. Lavey community is only too willing to rally around and provide support in these extraordinary times of need.
The Lavey Community Support Group have established a team of volunteers
comprised from members of the Parish Community organisations who will be available to provide assistance in whatever way they can for those isolated in their own homes as a result of the coronavirus e.g shopping, collecting prescriptions etc or simply just for someone to chat to.
So please do not hesitate to call any of our volunteers listed on the numbers below;
Lavey Community Support Volunteers:
• Sean Mc Peake 07799888805
• Mary Toner 07523048545
• Paddy Chivers 07759634926
• Cathy Mc Garvey 07796095700
• Michael Murphy 07764211687
• Bernie Henry 079682245145
• Seán Convery 07713333152
• Owen Mc Nally 07812822438
• Olive Rafferty 07769878406
• Susan Duggan 07541508544
• Cathal O Loane 07763420226
• Phelim Mulholland 07845138788
• Helen O Neill 07929091403
• Fergal Mc Nally 07753566081
• Claire Scullion 07968745246
• Joe Mc Gurk 079 7799 5815
• Winnie Mc Peake 07543733506
• Brian Óg Boyle 07989965015
• Maurice Diamond 07711504821
• Fr Eamon Graham 02879642458
• Mary McGurk 07964660124
For up to date info visit: www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus#advice-for-home-isolation
If you have a high temperature and/or a persistent cough stay at
home for seven days. Do not go to your GP surgery, pharmacy or
hospital.
Call your GP if:
• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home;
• your conditions get worse;
• your symptoms do not get better after seven days.
If it is a medical emergency and you need to call an ambulance, dial
999 and inform the operator of your symptoms. Like seasonal flu,
the same public health advice applies for COVID-19 (Coronavirus):
if you cough or sneeze, use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose,
throw it away carefully after use, and wash your hands. Once flu and
similar infectious viruses begin to spread, the main method that can
prevent further spread, is good personal hygiene. Washing your hands
regularly will help prevent flu and other viruses spreading.
U16 three-in-a-row bids falls just short
B A Mullan and Son Derry U16 Championship Final: Lavey 1-11 Magherafelt 4-05
Time simply ran out on Lavey’s bid to win three-in-a-row U16 championship titles on a wet and windy Wednesday night at Owenbeg.
The pattern of this final – the third in three years between the clubs – was set early on, as with the aid of a strong breeze, Magherafelt capitalised on possession errors to step into a two-point lead after ten minutes.
Lavey’s first score came from the boot of impressive full forward Rory McGill four minutes later and indeed could have been a score that put Lavey into a commanding lead against the breeze.
Minutes earlier, standing over a free kick forty metres from goal, Matthew Downey picked out McGill with a sublime defence splitting pass, sending him through on goal. With the Rossa goalkeeper advancing McGill’s shot trickled agonisingly wide of the left hand post.
The near miss was further compounded with Magherafelt awarded and converting a free kick of their own minutes later. Winning possession from the restart, a point effort was spilled to the Lavey net for the game’s opening goal.
Matthew Downey responded with a Lavey free as the Erin’s Own lads continued to dominate the majority of possession.
Facing what seemed like a manageable four-point deficit with the aid of the breeze to come, Magherafelt struck for a vital goal on the stroke of half time, half back Ronan Walls finding himself free in the Lavey defence following a defensive turnover and firing high into the net.
Half time: Lavey 0-02 Magherafelt 2-03
The expected Lavey fightback in the second half did not disappoint.
With Calum and Matthew Downey punching holes in the Magherafelt rearguard, Darragh Young’s goalbound effort was tipped just around the post as Lavey turned up the heat. A cleverly worked ’45 resulted in a Shea O’Neill point from which Matthew Downey won the resultant kickout. Two passes later the ball was superbly speared into the top corner of the Magherafelt net by corner forward Dara McGurk.
Matthew Downey added his third free as a seven point half time lead became two.
Lavey looked to have taken the lead minutes later as Rory McGill punched a Matthew Downey free to the net. Following extensive discussions between the officials, the score was adjudged to have been a square ball and was disallowed.
It was to prove a turning point as Magherafelt registered the next 1-02 with strong running from midfield, all but wiping out the first Lavey revival.
But again they came with the game’s next four scores. Lavey midfielder Segdae Melaugh looked to have scored a goal but for a fine save by the Rossa goalkeeper. Matthew Downey clipped over a free which was added to by Conlan O’Kane, and again minutes later by Niall Duggan with his first of three excellent points from play.
Having reeled in the Rossas for the second time, Lavey were once again caught on the counter when midfielder Dan Higgins hit the net for the second time.
With a never say die spirit to the very end O’Kane and Duggan added points before Matthew Downey brought just one score between the teams in injury time. However, Magherafelt held on to overturn last year’s final result and run out three point winners.
Lavey: Louis Regan; Adam Maher, Niall Rafferty, Eoin Scullion; Patrick McGurk, Shea O’Neill 0-01, Niall Duggan 0-03; Segdae Melaugh, Matthew Downey 0-04f; Darragh Young, Calum Downey, Conlan O’Kane 0-02; Conor Downey, Rory McGill 0-01, Dara McGurk 1-00.
Lavey’s ladies secure maiden silverware
Two years ago they picked up their first O’Neills football as a club team. Tonight after a serious effort on the training field the Lavey girls footballers have reached the top of Division B at U14 level and set the foundations for every underage group coming after them in Lavey.
The challenge now is to push on and achieve even more success. Admire the climb as much as the top. Congratulations to the girls and their coaches Louis O’Connor and Paul Sargent.
Our St Brigids Mayogall girls football school team also got that winning feeling today as both girls teams played their hearts out in the St Canice’s Dungiven tournament. The A team produced a massive second half in the final against the hosts to win it.
Shortly after the St Brigids boys team sealed the “double” beating the hosts in the final too. Some achievement for the school and our club. The effort being put in by the teachers, at after schools and by all the underage coaching teams in Lavey is producing some richly deserved success. Well done all.
Annual Prizegiving 2018
The annual prize giving celebrating the year of 2018 and looking forward to the season ahead took place at Erin’s Own Lavey on Friday 22 February.
A packed house led by chairman Paddy Chivers welcomed special guest for the evening, Derry U20 Ulster winning manager, Mickey Donnelly to Lavey.
The chairman congratulated and thanked all the club’s players and coaches for their efforts throughout a year which saw Lavey’s U14, U16, U18, U21 and senior footballers contest county finals.
Singling out the dignity and humility of the U16 footballers following defeat in the provincial Paul McGirr Tournament Chivers pointed towards a philosophy which gives strength to the club, saying:
“We don’t have dozens and dozens of players that can be let go by the wayside. We must do our best by each and every player. We’re a one primary school parish but we’re tight-knit and loyal.”
Having enjoy a stellar 2018 managing Derry U20 footballers to a first Ulster title in 21 years, St Ronan’s Lurgan to an historic MacRory ad Hogan Cup double and Monaghan club Ballybay to a senior county football final, Donnelly spoke about his admiration for the club’s young players and their achievements throughout the year:
“Clubs win championships Not just teams,” he said.
“From fundamentals through every level, hard work is infectious. It’s a collective effort because the name on the Andy Merrigan (All-Ireland club) Cup is not an individual. It is Lavey. The name of the club.”
Camogie player of the year: Sinead McGill (senior, collected by Aine McGill), Beth Kilpatrick (reserve).
Hurler of the year: Colm Murphy (senior), Conal Shaw (reserve).
Footballer of the year: Eamon McGill (senior, H.A. McGurk Cup), Peter Rafferty (reserve).
Young Player of the year: Aidan Toner (Sean Conway Cup)
Minor players of the year: James Crawford (hurling), Ryan Mulholland (football), Fintan Bradley (dual).
U16 players of the year: PJ McAleese (hurling), Ryan Farrell (football)
U16 players of the year: Jamie Duggan (dual).
Club Person of the year: Paul Birt (Brian Mulholland Shield).
Hughes McElwee Cup Winners: Oran Downey (minor football captain)
Minor Footballers and Hurlers 2018
U16 County Football Champions: James McGurk (captain)
WELL DONE ALL. UP LAVEY!
Get Connected: Official GAA App
Receive Lavey club fixtures, result notifications, club communications and renew your (adult) membership in seconds with the free official GAA App.
To get started:
1) If you have a mobile or email registered with the club simply download the App from the Apple or Android store and follow the instructions to get your unique activiation code.
2) If you do not have either registered with the club or are unsure about any aspect of set-up, simply drop us an email to pro.lavey.derry@gaa.ie and we will assist you in setting it up. It only takes a few seconds.
Once the season gets underway you need never miss another match result.
This App – including the club’s use of it – will evolve over time.
So get ahead of the game today and get connected for the 2019 season.