Lavey Senior Camogiers along with their fantastic group of supporters travelled to Ballyforan in Roscommon to face the Four Roads side that had seen off Tara Camogie team from London in their previous encounter. Despite Four Roads having the home venue it was the Lavey Team who received the biggest cheer as they made their way to the pitch.
As the game began it looked to be Lavey who were the sharpest and most intent on a victory. With Edelle Henry and Attracta McPeake lining out in midfield they began the attack early on with high balls in to the full forward line of Paula McCloy, Mary O’Kane and Helen O’Neill. It wasn’t long before these girls caused headaches for the Four Roads defence and Paula McCloy was quickly on the move by claiming her first goal of the game and Lavey’s first score in the 6th minute. Defensively, Ciara Mullan refused to give an inch and pushed forward from her position of corner back. Lavey quickly followed with great tackling from Theresa McElroy and Denise McShane which resulted in a point from the hurl of Mary O’Kane. Lavey continued to hold off any attack from Four Roads with Ceara Cushanan, Siobhan Convery and Alana McMullan providing trojan performances in the half back line. In particular, Alana McMullan dictated the game from her position and held Four Roads All Star, Niamh Coyle scoreless throughout the game. On the back of the defence working tirelessly, Lavey continued to slot points over from Mary O’Kane and Attracta McPeake. Every Lavey player continued to work hard and none more so than centre half forward, Clare McCloy whose physicality was outstanding throughout the game. The turning point of the half came with a well worked goal from Theresa McElroy back to the waiting Alana McMullan who delivered a well placed ball into the hands of Mary O’Kane, who as always, made no mistake as she claimed Lavey’s second goal. Mary O’Kane was in fine form as she quickly followed this with another point making the score a convincing 2-04 to 0-0 from Four Roads. As Lavey continued to work hard, in particular the defence of Kathleen Taggert, Aedin McVeigh and Ciara Mullan it was free taker Attracta McPeake who reflected this with her ruthless ability to convert every free to a score. Before the end of the half she added 2 more points to bring Lavey’s tally to 2-06 at half time.
Half Time: Lavey 2-06 Four Roads 0-02
As the second half began it looked like Lavey wanted to pick up were they had left off and went on the attack but failed to convert in the first few minutes. Continued support from midfielder Edelle Henry and half forward Denise McShane ensured that the full forward line had an endless supply of the ball and this quickly resulted in Paula McCloy claiming Lavey’s first point of the half. Lavey displayed their huge strength on the ball and in the tackle when they were awarded a penalty 10 minutes into the second half. Paula McCloy stepped up and drove hard but was denied by the stick of the goalie to be awarded a point. Again as in the Ulster Final, Attracta McPeake continued to bolster Lavey’s lead with her fantastic free taking which resulted in three more points. This left the score at 2-11 to 0-02. As the game progressed it became clearer that Lavey were dominating the game in every part of the pitch and the forwards took every opportunity to strengthen Lavey’s lead. Mary O’Kane seized the most opportunist moment of the game when she struck Lavey’s third goal by striking the ball through her legs. At this time in the game Aedin McVeigh made way for Faoiltiarna Ward. Denise McShane continued her fine form in the second half by claiming a well took point and this put Lavey 3-12 ahead. Lavey management made substitutions as Seanine McCann came on for Mary O’Kane, Donna Magill for Theresa McElroy, Eimear Murphy for Paula McCloy and Joanne McCloy for Helen O’Neill. Lavey forwards continued to attack with Joanne McCloy and Seanine McCann looking sharp on the ball.
This was a huge game for Lavey Senior Camogiers and all credit must go to their forwards for taking every opportunity offered, however the game belonged to Lavey’s defence who worked at an outstanding level to hold Four Roads to 2 points throughout the entire game. Displays from Captain Siobhan Convery, Ciara Mullan, Alana McMullan, Ceara Cushanan, Aedin McVeigh and full back Kathleen Taggert showed how tirelessly they worked to tackle and hassle. A special mention for Goal Keeper, Ciara Boyle who provided a fantastic save in the dying seconds to hold on to her clean sheet.
Again, this Lavey team and management deserve huge amounts of credit for the performance they turned out on Sunday. They showed how much they wanted to reach an All Ireland Final and were truly professional in everything they did. This will be the first Camogie All Ireland Final that Lavey have ever graced and it will be a huge day for Lavey GAC. Praise to their management team of Damien O’Boyle, Orla McCarthy, Mickey McShane, Donard McErlean and Eileen Downey. A special mention of thanks to all the supporters who traveled the massive distance to support the girls and to ensure you are aware that your job is not yet done. You are all expected to be there and very vocal for the All Ireland Final on Sunday 29th November against St.Anne’s Dunhill!!
We wish the team and management all the best for the All Ireland Final and hope that you return to Lavey as Al Ireland Champions. Onwards and Upwards!!!
Full Time: Lavey 3-12 Four Roads 0-02
Lavey GAC was founded in 1926 and has a deep rooted tradition in all Gaelic games, having contested Ulster club finals in Gaelic football, camogie & hurling in the last 15 years.
The Termoneeny Community Association is a cross community group active in the community across a range of activities such as music, drama, local history, Irish culture and physical activity. Each Wednesday night during the winter, 120 children are involved with a range of instruments in Irish traditional music.
There is a strong cultural ethos in the area and three Derry titles were won in the Scor competitions last winter. Two young people were Ulster finalists and Niamh McGlinchey was the All Ireland winner in solo singing for Scór na nÓg in 2008. Subsequently, Niamh appeared in the latter stages of the “Ireland’s got talent” competition within the last few months. In addition, Niamh’s father, Naoise won the recitation section in the Ulster Senior Scór in 2008.
Lavey GAC and the Termoneeny Community Association have just completed an Indoor Sports Arena (60 metres by 40 metres) and a community facility which is a multi-purpose design consisting of changing facilities, multi purpose rooms, music rooms, an aerobics hall and fitness suite. There are a total of eight changing facilities, four for indoor and four for outdoor pursuits. The fitness suite has been designed and equipped such that any child or adult with any kind of disability (such as wheelchair, sight or hearing impairment) can avail of the facilities on an equitable basis as those without a disability. This facility is one of a very small number in N. Ireland which will be totally inclusive.
The Indoor arena is the first of its kind in this country for a GAA club comprising of a 3rd generation Astroturf surface together with a lightweight frame, translucent roof and a hurling/football skills wall all the way around the building. This structure is approximately ⅓ the cost of a similar traditional block sports hall. It has been designed to suit children and adults with hearing and visual impairments and will be suitable for use by the local Gateway Club and Special Olympics athletes. The fitness suite, indoor arena and all facilities are available to everyone regardless of age, gender or creed.
Lavey GAC has currently clubrooms, a social club, changing facilities and two outdoor full sized playing pitches with one pitch floodlit to playing standards. The Indoor facility will cater for the club’s 29 teams in Gaelic football, hurling and camogie. In addition, the facility will be available during the day for use by the local primary schools, secondary schools and clubs.
The cost of the project is in the region of £2,500,000 and grant aid in excess of £1m has been accessed from Sport NI, Big Lottery Fund, Magherafelt District Council, the GAA and other bodies. Lavey GAC & the Termoneeny Community Association raised over £200,000 in a recent draw and the Lavey GAC corporate dinner has also raised £120,000.
The club has currently two full size pitches, one totally floodlit. The GAA club have spent in the region of £300,000 to £400,000 over the last 10 years upgrading the facilities to cater for their current needs.
There will be a number of full time & part time staff employed in the new centre – a full time Centre Manager, Sports Development Officer and administration staff. The design of the building is being handled by local architect, Colm McGurk and P & K McKaigue are the building contractors.
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