By Michael McMullan

FORMER Loughgiel and Antrim star Liam Watson will go into hurling management next season.

Watson, who scored 3-7 for Loughgiel in the 2012 All-Ireland Club Final win over Coolderry, will take over at Derry club Lavey.

His last championship outing for Loughgiel saw him bag 1-3 in their 2020 defeat to Dunloy in the 2020 Antrim senior final.

Watson takes over from Johnny McGarvey who stepped down as Lavey manager after eight years in the post.

Lavey have not won the Derry senior hurling championship since 2010, when current Sleacht Néill boss Michael McShane steered them to glory.

They have since won the intermediate and junior titles in Derry, narrowly losing out to Middletown in the 2017 Ulster intermediate decider.

In recent seasons, their stock has increased at underage level with a number of titles including a minor championship.

Meanwhile, Shane Elliott will stay on as Kevin Lynch’s manager, combining it with a coaching role in the new Antrim senior camogie management team.

Really happy to be appointed LAVEY senior hurling manager/coach for 2022. A challenge i always wanted after retirement. I will leave no stone unturned and i cant wait to get started with the boys.

— liam watson (@liamwatson5) December 23, 2021