Micheal Breathnach Win Iomain Cholmcille 6 | |
17 October 2013 The sixth Iomain Cholmcille Gaelic Shinty / Hurling Festival, which was held in Inverin, Galway last weekend, was another roaring success. A large crowd attended a great event with many different games at different levels. Unfortunately for the Alba team, they were soundly beaten by their Irish counterparts, Cumann Micheal Breathnach, in the showpiece game. In the morning, the Scots played a shortened game with Fir Uladh, representing the nine counties of Ulster. This game was scoreless at half-time, but in a cracking second half, when the Irish had wind advantage, saw them score six points. However the Scots staged a terrific comeback and beautiful strikes from Skye Camanachd's Gilleasbuig MacDonald and Lochcarron's Crisdean Finlayson saw the contest finish with honours even at 6-6. Fir Uladh completed their day with a fine (2-13) 19-9 (3-9) win, in which the wind again played a part, defeating Micheàl Breathnach’s second team in a full hurling match. In the showpiece match for the Corn Cholmcille, Alba, with wind advantage, started very confidently and although they lost an early goal, they roared back with Skye Camanachd’s Kerr Gibb putting over a point from open play and then Lovat's Ian Nicolson and Finlayson scoring powerful two point penalty hits. Alba defender Gordon MacKenzie was unfairly penalised and Micheál Breathnach struck back with an absolute rocket shot that gave Alba player / manager Eòghan Stewart no chance at all between the posts. The Scots stood firm but disaster struck with the loss of Doneil MacLeod with a head knock. The Boleskine player had been stunning at the back but his departure from the field seemed to end Alba's chances. Two quick Irish goals and a point saw Alba trail by 8 points at the interval. The Scots felt a goal would get them back in the match but an honest appraisal of the second half was that they didn't even get the opportunity. The further loss of Ian Nicolson to a head wound and wind advantage put paid to that. Eighteen second half points with no reply showed how difficult it was for the Albannaich but they fought on with great efforts until the final whistle. Cian O Griallais of Micheal Breathnach was a deserved player of the tournament. Alba player-manager Eòghan Stewart was philosophical about the final result saying, “The score was obviously a disappointment but the lads kept going. We had a very young team on this trip and the loss of Doneil and Iain Crossal meant that any real chance we had was gone. The Breathnaigh are also a much improved unit and they were far too strong for us. We are happy with the draw against Fir Uladh however.' Stewart added, “First and foremost, the Gaelic language is at the centre of this event and I'm delighted at how things have gone. The lads have taken a great deal of confidence from it they'll all be involved in future years.” Alba record cap, Sean MacLeod paid tribute to the Irish, “Cumann Micheál Breathnach deserve their praise; they were so strong today on the pitch and they were also just as impressive in how they ran this special event off the park. Special thanks go to Sean Mac Reamoinn who ran the events and he and his committee did an incredible job." Throughout the day, Sean MacLeod and the rest of the Alba squad coached shinty to the local youngsters and a “Youth Hurling Blitz” was held with teams from Connemara and Donegal. It is hoped that Iomain Cholmcille will see further similar developments when it returns to Scotland next year. Eòghan Stewart spoke of such plans saying, “We would love to see the women and more kids involved at next year's event in Scotland. Everyone in the Alba squad, apart from me, came through Gaelic Medium education and Lewis Camanachd’s Ally Lamont told me that this competition makes Gaelic fun and relevant so I would love to extend this opportunity to as many people as possible.” The following Facebook link gives access to pictures taken on the day
Iomain Cholmcille receives support from Colmcille, the group who aim to develop and strengthen links between Gaels in Scotland and Ireland. |