A memorable 2023 for Lavey's Aoife!

Ulster JFC Final

Lavey vs. Dungloe

Healy Park

Sunday, 12:30pm

IT HAS been quite the year to date for Lavey dual star Aoife Shaw as she prepares to hopefully continue that today in Healy Park, Omagh.

Already safely tucked away is an All-Ireland medal with Derry camogs and an intermediate club football county title. It wasn’t all plain sailing though as in-between both successes was a severe hand injury that left her on the sidelines missing her club camogie championship and only returned for a substitute appearance in the county football decider.

In August, the Occupational Therapist was leading the way for Derry to winning the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship beating Meath after a replay. Her performances earned her a Soaring Stars award which she picked up recently at a Gala evening in Croke Park.

“Unbelievable, a great year personally,” was how Shaw put it and she will not be the only one running out in Omagh with that All-Ireland medal already achieved with team-mates Eimear Murphy and Sinead McGill also playing.

“I don’t think there is another way to describe it than unbelievable. Last year we were heartbroken to get beat in the semi-final injury time against Cork so to finally get over the line was lethal - the bond in that team was class, such a good year to be part of that panel,” she said.

Part of that success does require serious commitment and with it a long year but the star forward is not complaining. She also agreed it can be tough re-adjusting back to the bigger ball again.

“I think we started with Derry at the start of January, and I been out three to four times a week since but I won’t complain as it doesn’t happen too often.

“It has been hard not playing football for so long and only really getting back at it after the camogie in August especially when we only started football last year; a number of the girls have developed so much this year, so for me it was tough enough getting back at it.”

“Kicking wasn’t the best the first few times I was back,” laughed Shaw, adding: “It is hard getting back into it, both games so different - a nice change though. 

“It was so nice just to get in among the girls again and the girls you have played with and grew up with.”

The change from county to club did not go to plan though as in her first game back a serious hand injury halted her club appearances

“I broke my thumb - first round of the club camogie championship against Bellaghy - broke it in two to three different places so I had to get a splint put in for about eight weeks, ended up missing all of the camogie championship and the group games of the football,” explained Shaw.

She was back to savour the moment in Foreglen though as a substitute in the victory over Claudy in the county final and quickly made her mark firing over a point with her first touch.

“The county final was my first game back, I was only back training three times before the final. It was just so good to get back on the pitch - so hard to watch it, I’m not a good spectator, it’s frustrating but there’s nothing you can do. It was very hard in the camogie semi-final against Swatragh to watch it and not be fit to do anything.”

Shaw wasn’t the only one Lavey had to plan without as Sinead McGill also ruled out.

“Sinead got injured in the same game and was out for longer then me - only came back against Clonmore.”

Having played in an All-Ireland final and big games already at county and club level another big occasion lies ahead.

“I don’t get nervous so hopefully it stays that way. The excitement among the girls, and you see it in the younger children around Lavey. It would be a perfect end to a great sporting year.”