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).
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.
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.
Lavey AGM
It’s the most important club meeting of the year.
It’s your chance to come along and find out about your club.
Join us on Sunday 12th January 2020 at 12pm for the Erin’s Own, Lavey Annual General Meeting.
All members and prospective members welcome.
N.B. Nominations are now open for the club committee. Forms are available to download below.
Nomination form (PDF)
Nomination form (Word)
Completed forms should be returned to the club secretary on or before 11 January 2020. Email: secretary.lavey.derry@gaa.ie.
Football, Hurling and Camogie Underage Registration
Lavey GAC will hold their underage registration day on Sunday 28th January at 12 noon. This will commence with a quick information session delivered by the committee. It is vital that all parents of underage players attend. In order to speed up the registration process, we would advice the form below is completed, printed and brought with you on the day along with the registration fee. (£15 for the first child and £10 for each child thereafter). Some copies will also be left at reception. Please also see link to our code of conduct below.
Downloads:
Summer Camp – Registration Form
Lavey Summer Camps 2017
This years Summer Camps will be running (Mon-Thurs) from Monday 24th July to Thurs 10th August. We would encourage as many people as possible to complete their application before the camp begins so as to speed up registration on the first day.
In previous years we have received grant funding to help us to subside the cost of the camps, however, unfortunately we no longer have this funding. In order to ensure that we do not run at a deficit we have had to slightly increase the cost of the camps for this incoming year. The camps will now be £20 per week for the first or only child in the family with £15 for each sibling thereafter. Please note that this price will include a weekly trip.
We will be running two camps each day Junior Strictly P1-P7 only, (The child must have completed Primary 1 in the last academic year), Senior Camp 1st Year to 4th Year.
The Junior Camp will run from 10.00am-1.30pm and Senior Camp will run 2pm-4pm. Those attending Junior Camp will require a packed lunch (no nut products please). All children should be equipped with caps/suncream/coats/football boots etc depending on the conditions.
If there are any queries about the camp you can contact our camp coordinators Niamh Halferty on 07743432110 or Colm Murphy on 07851278955.The Summer Camp Application form can be downloaded from the following link:
https://laveygaa.ie/…/Summer-Camp-2017-Registration-Form.docx













