Skye Camanachd U17 coach Davie MacVicar assesses the players who took part in the successful 2011 MacTavish Juvenile Cup Campaign.
Skye Camanachd U17 won the 2011 MacTavish Juvenile Cup with a 4-0 win over Lochaber U17 in the final on Saturday 18 June 2011.
1 Iain MacLeod
Iain “Spod” is in his second season in goals for the U17s and is still eligible for the U14s where he also plays up front. He is a composed keeper with a good eye for the ball. He played for the victorious 2010 and 2011 North U14 select against the South U14.
2 Iain Grant
Iain is a commanding full back who has been a regular in the Skye second team for the last two seasons. He can play in a variety of defensive roles and he is strong hitting off either side. He is London Shield winner in 2009, U14 North Division 1 winner in 2008 and 2009 and MacKay Cup winner in 2005. He played for the North U17 against the South U17 this year.
3 Ruairidh Morrison
Ruairidh came into the team at the end of last season following some stand-out performances for the U14s which saw him picked for the North U14 select in 2010. He is an industrious player with a superb turn of pace and he is a U14 North Division 1 winner in 2008 and 2009.
16 Stevie MacKinnon
Stevie “Wonder” is a no nonsense defender who brings a physical presence to the team. He put in a superb display at full back in the quarter final win atFortWilliam. Stevie has also played for the second team this season. His other passion is rock music where he is a talented drummer. He was a MacKay Cup winner 2008 and a U14 North Division 1 winner in 2009.
5 Ally MacLeod
Ally is the senior member of the MacLeod clan as brothers Iain and Ruairidh are also shinty players. He was just beginning to establish himself in the second team this season when he broke his thumb. Ally fancies himself as a forward but his best position may prove to be in defence. He is probably the most forgetful man in the team and he is London Shield winner 2009 and a U14 North Division 1 winner in 2008 and 2009.
6 Chris MacLennan
Chris is a talented shinty player who is also a promising footballer. Has put shinty ahead of football this year and the U17 team is reaping the benefits from his tireless displays at wing centre. He can also play in the forward line where he has scored some important goals and he was a U14 North Division 1 winner in 2008 and 2009.
7 Shaun Hedley
Shaun is a team captain who has put in some inspiring performances at full centre this season. He was promoted to the Skye first team this season where he has more than held his own in Marine Harvest North Division 1. He was a MacKay Cup winner in 2005 and London Shield winner in 2009, U14 North Division 1 winner in 2008 and 2009 and is still only 16 years of age.
8 Mark Mortimer
The most laid back guy in the team who is now in his second season of U17 shinty. His long hitting and superb shys have led to him playing several times for the Skye second team where he hasn’t looked out of place. Mark is a U14 North Division 1 winner in 2009 and 2010.
9 Jordan Murchison
Jordan is the Grandson of Skye Camanachd’s Camanachd Cup winner Calum “Ava” Murchison and he is making a name for himself scoring goals at all levels of shinty.Jordanwas promoted to the first team at the end of last season when aged just 15. He is a natural stick player who can score goals off either side. He was a MacKay Cup winner in 2005, a London Shield Winner in 2009 and a U14 North Division 1 winner in 2008 and 2009. He has represented the North against the South at U14 level and was part of the Scotland U17 team that toured Ireland in July 2011. He played for the North U17 against the South U17 this year.
17 Angie MacPherson
Angie can play in either midfield or in attack and has thankfully returned to shinty following a period away. His performances for the U17s this season have seen him rewarded with a second team debut against Glenurquhart earlier this month. Angie was a MacKay Cup winner 2005 and a U14 North Division 1 winner in 2008.
11 Andrew Grant
Andrew is another promising shinty talent from the Grant dynasty. He is also a talented footballer who is currently on theRossCountybooks. Like his strike partner Will Cowie,Andrewis still eligible for the U14s. He was a MacKay Cup winner in 2008 and 2009 as well as a Tulloch League winner who has returned to shinty this season after a spell away.Andrewwas man of the match 2009 MacKay Cup Final. He played for the victorious 2011 North U14 select against the South U14.
14 Magnus Burd
Magnus is perhaps not the most natural shinty player in the team but more than makes up for this with all round effort and enthusiasm. He started out in midfield but has been pushed up to full forward where he is proving a nightmare for opposition full backs. Magnus is a valuable member of the team who has now added goals to his all round game. He was a MacKay Cup winner in 2005 and a U14 North Division 1 winner in 2008.
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4 Calum Gibb
Calum is predominately a right back, but he can play in a variety of positions which has resulted in him playing a number of times for the Skye second team. He is the minibus DJ with a taste for 70s and 80s classics. He played in Portree’s 2005 MacKay cup winning team and was a U14 North Division 1 winner in 2008 and 2009.
18 Stephen Murchison
Stephen is the younger brother of Jordan Murchison and at 13, he the youngest player in the squad. He was a MacKay Cup Winner in 2008 and 2009 who is showing great promise in the U14 side where he will still be eligible next year.
19 Ian MacPherson
“Duchan” is perhaps not the most naturally talented of shinty players but he always gives 100% and is capable of the odd moment of magic. “The Duch” is the most dedicated player in the squad and rarely misses a training session.
10 Will Cowie
Will is the son of Skye Camanachd’s Camanachd Cup winner Willie Cowie. He is still eligible for the U14s yet his all round ability has seen him become a regular starter in the forward line for the Skye second team. He is a regular scorer who can score off either side. Will was a three times MacKay Cup winner in 2005, 2008 and 2009 (his dad only won the competition once in 1974). Will was man of the match MacKay Cup final 2008. He was also a Tulloch League winner. He was also a U14 North Division 1 winner in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and he played in the North U14 select in 2010 and captained the side in 2011. A broken thumb sustained in a London Shield match four days before the final robbed him of a place in the side on the big day. However he received a major accolade at the end of the season when he was named 2011 Marine Harvest National Player of the Year.
12 John Gillies
John is another talented sportsman who is equally adept at both shinty and football. He plays in the forward line where his superb close control and unselfish play creates numerous opportunities for his fellow forwards. He was a MacKay Cup winner 2005, a London Shield Winner 2009 and a U14 North Division 1 winner in 2008 and 2009. Unfortunately John was unavailable on the day of the final.