The Live Life Lisa Orsi group who are going to Beijing, posing with Derry chairman Brian Smyth

From the Walls of Derry to the Great Wall of China

At its launch in June this year, The Live Life Lisa Foundation set a target of raising £75,000 to bring a group of young people from the north-west to participate in the 2016 Asian Gaelic Games.

In less than four months, thanks to the generosity of local businesses and supporters of GAA clubs throughout the north west, the Foundation has achieved that ambitious goal. On Saturday, October 29, a group of fifty Gaelic footballers, hurlers and camogs representing GAA clubs from Derry and Donegal, as well as a local youth training organisation will set off for China and the Asian Gaelic Games.

When the Games take place in Shanghai from Friday November 4 to Sunday November 6, the Foundation will be represented by footballers, hurlers and camogs from Steelstown Brian Ogs, Na Magha, Sean Dolan’s, Doire Colmcille, Doire Trasna, Ardmore, Craigbane, Claudy, Banagher, Slaughtmanus, Gaeil Fhanada and Rutledge.

The Foundation was set up by the Oris family to celebrate the life of Lisa Orsi who died in March 2015. Lisa was a talented Gaelic footballer and a few months earlier she was a member of the Singapore Lions team that won the senior ladies cup at the 2014 Asian Gaelic Games in Kuala Lumpur. The cup has since been renamed the Lisa Orsi Cup.

The Foundation’s trip will be the realisation of a dream come true for Lisa’s dad, Dennis Orsi.

“Lisa lived life to the full. She always enjoyed travelling and learning about other cultures. When I was at last year’s Asian Gaelic Games in Shanghai to present the Lisa Orsi Cup to the winning team, I thought it would be an amazing tribute to Lisa if I could somehow manage to bring other young people from Derry and the surrounding area to participate in the Asian Gaelic Games and enjoy some of the experiences that Lisa had enjoyed.”

The seed was sown and when Dennis got back to Derry, the wheels were set in motion with family and friends all pulling together to show their support for The Live Life Lisa Orsi Foundation.

Mark O’Doherty, Development Officer with Doire Trasna GAC and Foundation chairman explains: “The Foundation wants to encourage young people to go beyond their comfort zone and to develop new skills, both on and off the playing field; and to travel and experience other cultures.”

Mark says that he’s been really encouraged by the way the Foundation has got local GAA clubs to work together to achieve a common goal.

“The GAA is well rooted in the local community and people have really got behind all the fundraising events to help us reach our target.”

He adds: The Foundation aims to promote inclusion through participation in sports. Those selected to travel to China are actively involved as players, coaches and referees with their own clubs and we hope that their experience of preparing for the Asian Gaelic Games will inspire other young people.”

Gearóid O’Neill, St Mary’s GAC Banagher, has been involved in Gaelic football, hurling and other GAA activities for as long as he can remember.

“The Foundation programme appealed to me as it gave me the opportunity to experience Gaelic Games in a different country, as well as meeting people from other clubs in Derry. I hope to use my experience of being involved in the Foundation’s initial trip to encourage people from my club and other clubs to engage with the Live Life Lisa Orsi Foundation and also to become more involved within their own GAA clubs and local communities.”

Aoife McKeever, plays for Steelstown Brian Og’s, says that even before the trip to China, she has already benefited far more that she thought possible.

“I applied to go on this trip as I thought it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity but I realised I gained so much more from the Foundation.

“Everyone going to China completed a training programme and this not only enhanced by my knowledge and confidence, but allowed me to meet with the others going on the trip. I also completed both my foundation course in coaching for camogie and refereeing.”

Aoife continued: “There is a great sense of team spirit among the group. We’ve had to work extremely hard at fundraising and we’ve been put though our paces in training by Aidan (McLaughlin) in preparation the trip.

“With so much going on it’s sometimes easy to forget why the trip has been organised. The Foundation is a credit to Lisa and everything she represented. I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity and will definitely continue to support the Foundation long after I’m home from China.”

Sophie Brady, who plays camogie with Na Magha and Gaelic football with Doire Colmcille says she enjoyed getting to know other GAA members through her involvement with the Foundation.

“I hope to be able to have a bigger role within the club and continue volunteering and helping attract new members.”

Among those present at the launch of the Foundation back in June in Derry’s Culturalann was Brian Smith, chairman of the County Derry GAA Board.

He made a return visit to Culturalann last week to meet those travelling to China and the County Chairman admitted he was ‘blown away’.

“This is an incredible achievement. I’m completely blown away and amazed at how much has been achieved in such a short time. It is a great credit to everyone involved.

“On behalf of the County Board, I would like to congratulate those selected to represent their clubs and wish them well. This is a tremendous opportunity and I know they will be great ambassadors for their clubs and county when they are in China.”

GAA Clubs represented include: Ardmore, Kelly Gormley, Emir Storey; Banagher, Gearoid O’Neill; Claudy, Odhran Crumley, Conall de Faoite White, Saorlaith Kearney, Aine McCloskey, Aidan McLaughlin; Craigbane, Sean Mortimor; Doire Colmcille, Harry Curran, Ferghal McAnaney; Shay Cross, Dylan Deery, Georgia Hildreth, Michael Kelly, Mark O’Doherty; Gaeil Fhanada, Mairead Coll; Na Magha, Niamh McCullagh, Sophie Brady, Cormac Durey, Sharon McCullagh; Sean Dolan’s, Ryan McLaughlin, Sean O’Donnell, Caoimhin Thompson, Joe McCullagh; Slaughtmanus, Claragh Conner, Emma Coyle, Conor Lyons, Jack McConomy, Caolan Watson, Kevin Watson; Steelstown Brian Og’s, Emma Doherty, Katy Holly, Aoife McKeever, Una Casey, Lea Casey, Rachel Roberts, Beth Heaney.

Rutledge, Caolan Kelly, Caolan Morrow, Sean Reid, Nathan Wade, Denise Doherty, Gemma Watson.