Hurling
Feile na nOg
The Lavey U14 hurlers recorded their first victory of the year on 10/03/12, playing with home advantage against Slaughtneil. Lavey started strong in the first quarter, scoring two points from play, however also missing several chances with numerous balls dropping short into the Slaughtneil goalkeeper’s hands. Aidan Toner made no mistake however, when after a superb catch from midfield, he ran through the Slaughtneil defence and left the keeper’ with no chance with his powerful stroke to the back of the net. Just before the half time whistle sounded, Shea Downey showed his skill, striking a beautiful point from the sideline from 45 yards out.
The second half proved an excellent game of hurling; high scoring, skilful and physical play from both teams made exciting watching for both sets of spectators’. Slaughtneil opened the scoring with a long range point from a free, with Ciaran Henry converting a free at the other end shortly after. Slaughneil then drove out the pitch, eager for a goal to get them back into the game. The first shot came low and was saved by the Lavey keeper, Ryan Ward, however Slaughtneil made no mistake with the rebound. Slaughtneil kept on the pressure; however the Lavey defence, marshalled by Raymond Duggan at full back, held strong and managed to clear the ball. Connell Shaw converted a point for Lavey to keep the score sheet ticking over.
Goals win matches; Ciaran Henry won possession for Lavey around the 45’ and played a ball into the waiting Hugh McGurk on the edge of the square, who finished low and clinically to the net. From the puck out, Lavey then won a free, again from around the 45 yard line. The ball dropped short, and this time it was Shea Downey who finished, making it two goals inside two minutes for the young Lavey team. Just as the Lavey cheers died down, Slaughtneil again drove up the pitch; this time it was their turn to win to win a free from the 45’. It seemed like slow motion as the ball sailed over everyone’s head and ended up in the top corner of the Lavey net!
Slaughtneil added a further point from a free before again, Lavey forwards Ciaran Henry and Hugh McGurk linked up well to add a point at the other end. Slaughtneil were looking for another goal, however Ryan Ward pulled of a fantastic save, and this time managed to deflect the rebound to clear the ball for a 65’, which resulted in a point for Slaughtneil. Michael Mulholland, Raymond Duggan and Shea Downey, who drifted from midfield to help out his defence, worked hard under immense pressure and Raymond Duggan was eventually awarded a free for his efforts, clearing the ball from the danger area.
Again the sides exchanged points, but it was Slaughtneil who piled on all the pressure during the closing stages. The Lavey defence stood tall and managed to clear with Jack Shaw, Mark O’Kane and Raymond Duggan exchanging hand passes’ and clearing their lines. The Lavey half back line pushed out, Jack Shaw and James Crawford both itching to get forward, and it was the Lavey No. 7 who scored the final goal of the match, just before the whistle sounded leaving the final score Lavey 4-8, Slaughtneil 2-6.
Ultimately a great match for the spectator, with Lavey’s ruthlessness in front of goal proving the difference between the two sides. Well done boys!
Lavey Claim Derry Titale
Lavey Senior Hurlers Claim Senior Championship in Celtic Park
Lavey Senior Hurlers rose to the occasion on Sunday 22nd August when they broke the Kevin Lynches domination on the Senior Hurling Championship. Their hunger was clear right from the throw in when Ben Dodds delivered Lavey’s intention for the game by sending the ball to the net just after a minute gone. As usual the Lavey fans were out in force and the roar from the stand proved that it was not only the players who thought a title was long over due for the Erin’s Own Club. This was quickly followed by another well taken goal from Paddy Henry who managed to fool the Dungiven keeper and drop the ball into the corner of the net. Colm Murphy added another point and this left the score at 2-01 to 0-0. From then on Lavey appeared to be driven in their determination to take the Fr.Collins back to Gulladuff and Paddy Henry continued his fine form with some ruthless free taking. Lavey finished the half at 2-05 to 0-06. As the second half began, Dungiven looked like they were beginning to get to grips with the game and Lavey did extremely well to hold them with fantastic defensive displays from Stephen Henry and Paul McVeigh. Up front Colm Murphy looked as sharp as ever and the turning point of the game came when Cailean O’Boyle delivered a precise pass to Murphy who struck while on the run to hit the back of the net for Lavey’s third goal of the day. Lavey continued to capitalise on this and held Dungiven for the final period of the game. Paddy Henry added another two points which proved to be the last of the game. As Lavey stepped into the history books at the final whistle they relished the fact that they were back were they belonged. Eight years was a long time but now as they have brought back the Fr Collins to Lavey they can look forward to the ultimate goal which as eluded Derry teams and that is achieving an Ulster Title. From all the Lavey Club, we congratulate players and management and wish them all the best of luck for the up coming Ulster Championship.
Lavey Team: P McGill, S Lagan, P McVeigh, P Dillon, D O’Neill, S Henry, J Darragh, P Doherty, M Drumm, P Henry, B Dodds, C O’Boyle, S Dodds P Hearty, C Murphy. Subs Used K O’Neill, N Magill, C Henry, C Dillon.
Lavey Senior Hurlers Progress to First Hurling Final in 8 Years
Lavey Senior Hurlers progress to first County Final in 8 Years!!
Lavey Senior hurlers are in a County Final for the first time since 2002 after defeating Banagher on Saturday. It was Lavey that began the game the quickest and sharpest with the midfield pairing of Michael Drum and Paul Doherty dominating the centre for the first 15 minutes. Great work from Lavey’s defence ensured that any Banagher attack was cut out swiftly and effectively. Full back Paul McVeigh had a man of the match performance with some fantastic clearances and centre half back Stephen Henry proved to be as reliable in front of him. Lavey continued to gain momentum with superb free taking from Paddy Henry resulting in many fine scores. Colm Murphy in corner forward added 2 to the score sheet in the first half and there was one each from half forward Cailean O’Boyle and centre half forward, Ben Dodd’s. This left the half time score Lavey 0-11 Banagher 0-05.
The second half began with Banagher looking that little bit hungrier and cutting Lavey’s lead to 3points. Lavey quickly answered this and some great skill from Sam Dodd’s who contributed 3 points in this half, meant that Lavey began to pull away. Colm Murphy also added a well earned point to ensure that they kept Banagher out of sight. Hard work in the last 5 minutes from Lavey’s defence saw off any Banagher threat and it was Lavey who will look forward to the County Final against Dungiven.
Final Score: Lavey 0-19 Banagher 1-12.
Lavey Team: P McGill, S Lagan, P McVeigh, P Dillon, C Dillon, S Henry, J Darragh, P Doherty, M Drumm, S Dodds, B Dodds, C O’Boyle, P Henry, P Hearty, C Murphy.
Lavey Defeat Banagher in the League
*Lavey Senior Hurlers defeat Banagher in the League *
Lavey Senior Hurlers defeated Banagher in a convincing display at Gulladuff on Sunday 16th May. The hurlers never looked in any danger of losing the game with great performances from Dermot O’Neill, Thomas McElwee and Colm Murphy. Great scores were taken from the hurls of Caolin O’Boyle and Sam Dodds to keep Banagher out of sight through out the game.
Final Score Lavey 1-16 Banagher 0-06
Reserve Hurlers Defeat Kevin Lynches
Lavey Reserve Hurlers also notched up a victory over Kevin Lynches on Monday 31st May in Lavey. Final Score Lavey 3-13 Kevin Lynches 1-8.
Lavey Senior Hurlers lose out by a point
Lavey Senior Hurlers were defeated by Swatragh in a closely contested game with Lavey only losing out by a point at the final whistle. Final Score Lavey 3-9 Swatragh 2-13.
Lavey Senior Hurlers progress in the Championship
Senior Hurlers progress to the next round of the Championship!
Lavey Senior hurlers began their Championship campaign by playing Ballinascreen on Sunday 4th July in Banagher. It was Lavey who began the game the sharpest with their attacking play which resulted in a goal from the hurl of Cailean O’Boyle. Ballinascreen found it hard to close the gap after this goal was scored and Lavey kept on registering points from free taker Paddy Henry, Stephen Henry and Paul Doherty. In the first half Lavey had some great defensive displays, especially from the full back line of Shane Lagan, Stephen Henry and Paddy Dillon. As the second half began Lavey appeared to get into their stride by breaking away from Ballinascreen. Again, great scores from Paddy Henry allowed Lavey to gain a good lead. Some great attacks from Ben Dodds, Michael Drumm and Paul Hearty resulted in scores and Lavey’s half back line continued to work extremely hard to give Lavey their first Championship win of the season. Final Score Lavey 1-12 Ballinascreen 1-6. Lavey Team: P McGill, S Lagan, S Henry, P Dillon, C Murphy, P McVeigh, J Darragh, P Doherty, C Henry, B Dodds, M Drumm, C O’Boyle, P Henry, S Dodds, D O’Neill. Subs Used: P Hearty, K O’Neill, C Dillon.
