MG ALBA to sponsor Player of the Match at Iomain Cholmcille. | |
04 October 2010 The Scottish Gaelic Shinty team, Alba, will be travelling to Ireland on Friday for Iomain Cholmcille 4 fuill of confidence that they can retain the Corn Cholmcille for the second time in a row. They will also be travelling with the news that Iomain Cholmcille has received support from MG ALBA for the Player of the Tournament and a new addition to the Festival, a women’s fixture. Iomain Cholmcille is an international competition between Scotland and Ireland but with a twist which makes it stand out from other international shinty-hurling games; all the players speak either Scots or Irish Gaelic and they must speak it at all times on the park. It has been incredibly successful in terms of encouraging Gaelic usage amongst young people and another special occasion is expected in Inverin, Galway on 9 October 2010. Marketing manager for MG ALBA, Murdo Morrison said “we are very happy to support this important sporting event. It encourages the use of Gaelic in sport and we wish lots of success to the teams which will be taking part in Iomain Cholmcille this year.” Alba manager, Eoghan Stewart welcomed MG ALBA’s support, “Colmcille are incredible supporters of this event but is important to attract other sponsors to help support this event and I welcome the support MG ALBA are giving us this year. I hope it is one of my players who receive the sàr-chluicheadair trophy.” MG ALBA will also be handing over the prize for the women’s game which will be happening at Iomain Cholmcille for the first time and Stewart is happy to see this development at the event. “There will be two camogie teams from Connemara playing before the international. I would like to see a proper international in the years to come between the Scots Gaelic and Irish Gaelic girls but at this stage it will be interesting to watch a camogie match and I am sure it will add to the Festival.” Turning to the big game, Stewart has concerns about Iain Nicolson from Skye, who has had to pull out of the national U21s squad for the full internationals in Dublin at the end of October with an ankle injury in the last training session. It is also obvious that John Moir from Skye has not shaken off the injury problems which have plagued him for the whole season but he will travel with the squad as well. This will be Camanachd Leòdhais’ Sean MacLeod’s fourth Alba cap and he is looking forward to the event. “I’m well excited. It will be another epic trip with plenty of banter. The Skye boys are total legends and I can’t wait for some shinty-hurling action to hit off!” Iomain Cholmcille receives support from Colmcille, the group which aims to strengthen links between the Gaelic speaking communities of Ireland and Scotland. The game will be broadcast live from Galway on RTE Raidió na Gaeltachta at www.rte.ie/rnag or SKY 0166 or Freesat 753 from 2 o clock Saturday. Throw in is at 3.30pm. |