Alba Name Men’s Squad For Iomain Cholmcille 8 | |
28 September 2015 Alba, the Gaelic Shinty Team, has named their men’s squad for Iomain Cholmcille 8 in Gweedore, Co. Donegal on Saturday 10 October 2015. Iomain Cholmcille is one of the World’s unique sporting events, where every player must have either Scottish or Irish Gaelic and is required to use it on and off the park. It returns to Ireland after a successful running in Glasgow last year but for the first time it will be held in the county of Donegal, also known as Tir Chonnaill, in the Gaeltacht area of Gweedore. Eòghan Stewart returns as manager of the squad (and in a playing capacity) after Aonghas Macdonald took the reins last year. Whilst Stewart also co-ordinated the event, he is happy to be back in a playing role but had fulsome praise for his squad. “We have a small but committed squad - it was difficult for a couple of players to get time off work, and a few players were required by the Skye Camanachd second team as they have an important fixture that day, but I am delighted with the squad I have. There is a good mix of experience, exciting youngsters and people with differing levels of Gaelic but who are all willing to speak and use it and develop both their Gaelic and shinty skills.” “Gilleasbuig MacDonald is known as a fine player and fine Gaelic speaker and there is a good pack of Skye-men who have played to a truly fine standard this year. Ewen Campbell has done very well for Beauly and is in the National U21 Training Squad and it is great that Neil John Campbell and Calum Gibb are finally getting the opportunity to come on tour. I am also very happy that Lawrence Belleni will be with us; he’s learned Gaelic off his own back and will add a lot to both the play and the craic.” Alba were defeated in their quest for the Còrn Cholmcille last year in Glasgow and they face a strong challenge over in Ireland in the form of Fir Uladh, the current holders and Cumann Micheal Breathnach. For the first time, there will be a ladies competition and Alba co-managers, Catriona Gibb and Kirstie MacLeod will be naming their squad in the coming days. The ladies team have received sponsorship from McIntyre & Co, Solicitors in Fort William. Iomain Cholmcille receives support from Colmcille, the international body for developing and strengthening links between Gaelic speakers in Scotland and Ireland. Alba Men’s Squad from: Graham Black, Mark Fraser, (both Aberdeen University), Jack Fraser (Fort William), Ewen Campbell (Beauly), Doneil MacLeod (Strathglass), Paddy Sinclair, Paul Duke, Eòghan Stewart (all Camanachd Leòdhais), Iain Nicolson, Gilleasbuig MacDonald, Alasdair MacDonald, Neil John Campbell, Calum Gibb, Ian MacPherson (all Skye Camanachd), Alex Dunnings (Oban Camanachd), Lawrence Nicolson Belleni (Strathspey), Andrew Grace (Glasgow University) |