Lavery, Dan

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Fullname: Daniel O’Donnell Lavery
aka: Dan Lavery, Daniel Lavery
Born: 24 Aug 1925
Died: 19 Mar 1979
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia
Signed: 30 Jan 1948
Left: 1949 (to Ballymena)
Position: Centre-Forward
Debut: Hibernian 4-2 Celtic, League, 3 April 1948 (scored once)
Internationals: none

Biog

Dan Lavery was the first Australian born player to sign for Celtic.

Born in Sydney to Irish parents his time in Australia was brief after mother returned to Ireland following the death of his father in an accident.

Raised in Ballynahinch it was his skills in Gaelic football which first brought him to the attention of Celtic and he signed for the Hoops in January 1948.

Tall and strong he had been an impressive performer for Down GAA. But having joined a struggling Celtic side the transition to association football would be a difficult one.

Dan Lavery made his debut at centre forward in a 4-2 league defeat at Hibernian on 3rd April 1948 scoring once. But despite that positive start he struggled to establish himself in his newly chosen game, and played in the losing Celtic side in the Glasgow Charity Cup final (2-0 loss to Rangers). Didn’t help that he wasn’t given much of a transition period.

Dan Lavery was a little unlucky, as he came to play for Celtic at their worst when the first team just thankfully missed out on relegation. The club was poorly managed both at club and board level.

Dan Lavery played in the important 3-2 victory over Dundee that saved the first team in Apr 1948 from potential relegation in season 1947/48. It was only his second game for Celtic, but already was thrown into a pivotal game. It was Jock Weir who scored a hat trick that day that is best remembered.

However, after that fright, changes were needed, and despite Dan Lavery being a new face, Celtic stalwart Jackie Gallacher was preferred instead of Dan Lavery, but in fairness Jackie Gallacher did go on to have a great season in return on goals. Dan Lavery only played in the first two league season opening fixtures but Celtic didn’t win or score in either (0-0 v Morton. 0-1 v Aberdeen).

After just four league & two Glasgow Charity Cup appearances, Dan Lavery returned to Northern Ireland and was loaned to Glentoran before joining Ballymena United in 1949.

Dan Lavery later went to live in Buxton, Derbyshire (famous for the mineral water). He worked for Ben Sayers, a manufacturer of golfing equipment.

He passed away in Chorley during a round of golf in 1979.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

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