Eòghan Stewart, manager of the Scottish Gaelic Shinty Team, Alba, has named his squad for the Third Iomain Cholmcille, Gaelic shinty / hurling challenge on Saturday 13 February 2010 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
Alba will be playing Irish representatives Micheál Breathnach GAA for the Cuach Cholmcille which the Irish have won on the previous two occasions under compromise rules.
The majority of the Alba squad hails from the Isle of Skye, with the eldest MacDonald brother, Sorley making his first appearance in the squad alongside his brother Gilleasbuig who will be playing for the third time for Alba. Their other brother, Aonghas, is the team’s assistant manager. Indeed there are 12 Skye Camanachd players in the 22 man squad.
Bringing a lot of knowledge about the compromise rules to the squad is Niall John Campbell, from Skye and with strong North Uist connections. Although he is only 17, Niall John has represented Scotland several times against the Irish at youth level.
The other players play for a wide range of clubs, Lewis, Lochbroom, Uist, Aberdeen University, Tayforth, Ardnamurchan and Inverness but the most important aspect is that they are all Gaelic speakers and are required to speak Gaelic at all times, especially on the park.
Stewart said “We have good players in the squad and we will be going out to win and win well but the lads have been chosen because they are Gaelic speakers and it’s hard to find opportunities for young men to speak Gaelic together. The one rule on top of the international rules is that they must speak Gaelic on the park or they will receive a red card but I’m sure that won’t be an issue – the guys are all very enthusiastic and proud of Gaelic.
He continued, “There are more and more Gaelic players coming through every year. I could have three teams to tell the truth. I would love to see a whole range of Gaelic speaking youth teams, women’s teams and adult teams, playing each other and the Irish. It’s a brilliant opportunity to speak Gaelic in a fun, light and natural environment and it is always enjoyable for both the Irish and Scottish Gaels involved.
The Isle of Lewis is represented in this year’s Iomain Cholmcille shinty/hurling international by 4 Camanachd Leòdhais players and Donald Lamont, originally from Point, Captain of Aberdeen University. James MacRae of Lochbroom’s mother hails from Bernera.
The Isle of Harris will be represented by two men with strong Hearach connections, Dòmhnall Niall MacLeòid of Inverness and Coinneach Caimbeul of Tayforth.
Uist Camanachd has only a sole representative in this year’s squad, Keith MacDonald of Trumisgarry, but several players in the team have strong Uist connections, including the MacDonald brothers, Somhairle and Gilleasbuig, as well as Niall John Campbell from Skye.
Lochbroom have two players in the Squad, Seumas Nairn and James MacRae.
Ardnamurchan’s Allan Nairn makes his second appearance in the Alba squad.
The International will throw-up at 1.30pm at Pàirc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 13 February. Iomain Cholmcille is supported by Colmcille which aims to establish and strengthen connections between Gaels in Scotland and Ireland.
Alba Squad
Eòghan Stewart (Manaidsear), Gilleasbuig MacDonald (Skye Camanachd), Somhairle MacDonald (Skye Camanachd) , Kerr Gibb (Skye Camanachd), David Grant (Skye Camanachd), John Moir (Skye Camanachd), Iain Nicolson (Skye Camanachd), Iain Morrison (Skye Camanachd), Neil John Campbell (Skye Camanachd), Kenny MacLeod (Skye Camanachd), AB Connor (Skye Camanachd), Tom Butler (Skye Camanachd), Doneil MacLeod (Inverness), Donald Lamont (Aberdeen University), Keith MacDonald (Uist), Conor Macdonald (Camanachd Leòdhais), Paul Duke (Camanachd Leòdhais), Sean MacLeod (Camanachd Leòdhais), Kenneth Campbell (Tayforth), Seumas Nairn (Lochbroom), James MacRae (Lochbroom), Allan Nairn (Ardnamurchan)