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Signee Spotlight: Lewis McGarvey
4/1/2020 11:13:00 AM | Men's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C.—Duke men's soccer head coach John Kerr is excited to welcome a talented group of incoming freshmen to campus this fall. GoDuke.com will take the next couple of months to help fans get to know a little more about each of the players in advance of their arrival on campus.
Now we introduce defender Lewis McGarvey to the Blue Devil family. McGarvey hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland where he played for the Glentoran Football Club since age 11. McGarvey, after playing for the academy program for many years, was promoted to the senior team for the 2018-19 and most recent campaign before it came to a halt.
Playing both the center back and right back positions, McGarvey found great success with Glentoran. A part of the club since 2012, he captained the team to Northern Ireland U18 league and cup double despite playing up a year. He was rewarded for his play, garnering the team's Player of the Year award.
McGarvey repeated as the Player of the Year again in 2017-18 and made his debut with the first team at age 18.
For Northern Ireland, he represented his country in U12 and U14 games playing against the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City sides. Most recently, he played every minute for the U18 Northern Ireland team, helping it to the Centenary Shield – a competition against England, Scotland, Wales and Republic of Ireland – while allowing just one goal in four games.
An outstanding student, McGarvey is the Head Boy at St. Malachy's College Belfast. He ranks No. 1 in his class and works alongside mental health charities such as Lighthouse, Barnardo's and Tahmi to help tackle mental health problems in North Belfast.
Here is a little more about Lewis.
GoDuke.com: Why did you choose Duke?
Lewis McGarvey: I have always dreamed of moving to America to continue playing soccer and Duke is one of the best universities in the world with regards to both sport and academics so when the opportunity came along to attend this world renowned institution it was really a no brainer.
GD: What is a fun fact about you?
LM: My golf handicap is 3.
GD: What international club do you follow?
LM: Chelsea FC
GD: Who is your favorite international player and why?
LM: César Azpilicueta. He is a leader on and off the pitch, he is a player who never puts in a bad performance and I love watching him defend.
GD: Who is your favorite U.S. player and why?
LM: Of course, it has to be Christian Pulisic. He has been brilliant for Chelsea since he arrived and I love watching him play.
GD: What is your first soccer memory?
LM: Playing 4v4 matches every night in the street with all the kids from my neighborhood using a busted ball and stones for goals. I think I was 4 or 5 and that was where my love for the game began.
GD: Meeting this person would leave you speechless?
LM: Rory McIlroy. He's a local hero and proof that people from this small island can make it big.
GD: What are the last three series or shows you've watched on Netflix?
LM: Peaky Blinders, Prison Break and Suits. Three quality shows.
GD: How are you continuing to work on your game while practicing social distancing?
LM: As we are only allowed out of the house once a day for exercise, it's been a lot of kicking the ball against the wall in the garden or the house. When I'm allowed to leave, I've been doing a lot of running on my own to keep me fit for the season starting back.
GD: At this moment, what would you choose as your hype or goal song?
LM: Dearg Doom (horslips)
GD: Most used app on your phone?
LM: Definitely Twitter.
GD: Do you Tik Tok? Yea or nah?
LM: Never.
GD: If you weren't playing soccer, what sport would you play?
LM: Probably Gaelic football. It's Ireland's national sport and I really loved playing it when I was younger but sadly had to give it up to focus on soccer.
#GoDuke
Now we introduce defender Lewis McGarvey to the Blue Devil family. McGarvey hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland where he played for the Glentoran Football Club since age 11. McGarvey, after playing for the academy program for many years, was promoted to the senior team for the 2018-19 and most recent campaign before it came to a halt.
Playing both the center back and right back positions, McGarvey found great success with Glentoran. A part of the club since 2012, he captained the team to Northern Ireland U18 league and cup double despite playing up a year. He was rewarded for his play, garnering the team's Player of the Year award.
McGarvey repeated as the Player of the Year again in 2017-18 and made his debut with the first team at age 18.
For Northern Ireland, he represented his country in U12 and U14 games playing against the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City sides. Most recently, he played every minute for the U18 Northern Ireland team, helping it to the Centenary Shield – a competition against England, Scotland, Wales and Republic of Ireland – while allowing just one goal in four games.
An outstanding student, McGarvey is the Head Boy at St. Malachy's College Belfast. He ranks No. 1 in his class and works alongside mental health charities such as Lighthouse, Barnardo's and Tahmi to help tackle mental health problems in North Belfast.
Here is a little more about Lewis.
GoDuke.com: Why did you choose Duke?
Lewis McGarvey: I have always dreamed of moving to America to continue playing soccer and Duke is one of the best universities in the world with regards to both sport and academics so when the opportunity came along to attend this world renowned institution it was really a no brainer.
GD: What is a fun fact about you?
LM: My golf handicap is 3.
GD: What international club do you follow?
LM: Chelsea FC
GD: Who is your favorite international player and why?
LM: César Azpilicueta. He is a leader on and off the pitch, he is a player who never puts in a bad performance and I love watching him defend.
GD: Who is your favorite U.S. player and why?
LM: Of course, it has to be Christian Pulisic. He has been brilliant for Chelsea since he arrived and I love watching him play.
GD: What is your first soccer memory?
LM: Playing 4v4 matches every night in the street with all the kids from my neighborhood using a busted ball and stones for goals. I think I was 4 or 5 and that was where my love for the game began.
GD: Meeting this person would leave you speechless?
LM: Rory McIlroy. He's a local hero and proof that people from this small island can make it big.
GD: What are the last three series or shows you've watched on Netflix?
LM: Peaky Blinders, Prison Break and Suits. Three quality shows.
GD: How are you continuing to work on your game while practicing social distancing?
LM: As we are only allowed out of the house once a day for exercise, it's been a lot of kicking the ball against the wall in the garden or the house. When I'm allowed to leave, I've been doing a lot of running on my own to keep me fit for the season starting back.
GD: At this moment, what would you choose as your hype or goal song?
LM: Dearg Doom (horslips)
GD: Most used app on your phone?
LM: Definitely Twitter.
GD: Do you Tik Tok? Yea or nah?
LM: Never.
GD: If you weren't playing soccer, what sport would you play?
LM: Probably Gaelic football. It's Ireland's national sport and I really loved playing it when I was younger but sadly had to give it up to focus on soccer.
#GoDuke
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