North End Are 2023 National First Shinty Winners | |
24 February 2023 Both Skye teams had an impressive day as North End were the P7 (& Under) winners and Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort-Righ the P5 (& Under) runners up following the Ferguson Transport & Shipping National Indoor Finals, played in Fort William on Friday 24 February 2023. Both tournaments brought together over 150 of the best young shinty players from across Scotland. P7 (& Under) Tournament The P7 (& Under) tournament was played at the Nevis Centre, Fort William where the standard of play was of the highest order with all the eleven teams giving a great account of themselves. In Section A, the talented Caol Primary School, driven on by the impressive Harry Stewart, topped the group on seven points with the equally impressive North End Primaries only one point behind to claim the runners-up spot. Section B couldn’t have been closer with the classy Glenurquhart Primary School topping the group on goal difference ahead of the skilful Gleann Dail Primary School from Glasgow. In the first semi-final, Caol Primary School faced Gleann Dail Primary School and Gleann Dail proved too strong in the end, winning 4-1 to book their place in the final. The second semi brought together Section B winners Glenurquhart Primary and Skye representatives North End Primaries in what was a closely contested game, with North End eventually prevailing 3-2 to reach the final. The final between Gleann Dail Primary and North End Primaries started at a frantic pace with some great shinty raging from end to end. North End, driven on by the outstanding Lachlann MacLeod, raced to a two-goal lead – with MacLeod scoring both - before Gleann Dail pulled a goal back just before half-time. Lachlann MacLeod scored twice more in the second half to take his tally to four goals and give North End a deserved 4-1 win and they were crowned 2023 Primary 7 (& Under) National First Shinty champions. Michael Oliver from tournament sponsors Ferguson Transport & Shipping presented the trophy and medals to all the players. P5 (& Under) Tournament Alvie were victorious at the (P5 & Under) National First Shinty Finals which took place at Lochaber High School. The standard of play throughout the day was excellent with all group games closely contested between the top ten school teams from across the country. 2022 winners Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis played some terrific shinty to go through the group stages undefeated. Alvie Primary followed them into the semi-finals as section runners-up. Section B was closely fought with the semi-finalists not decided until the final games. Rockfield Primary School showed impressive form throughout the day, winning three and drawing one of their group stage matches to progress as group winners. Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort-Righ followed into the semis with two wins, a draw and a loss. The first semi-final brought together the two Gaelic schools, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis and Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort-Righ, and there was little between the teams. The game remained level at 1-1 until Phort-Righ took the lead with a goal during the final seconds but a fantastic bottom corner equaliser from Inbhir Nis made it 2-2, taking the tie into a golden goal extra time period. Phort-Righ found an extra burst of energy, grabbing the goal needed to reach the final. There were goals galore in the second semi between Alvie and Rockfield. Alvie started the tournament slowly but were now on a fine run of form and couldn’t stop scoring. Rockfield pulled a couple of goals back through some excellent forward play but couldn’t catch the Bumblebees and Alvie won 6-2. The final between Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort-Righ and Alvie produced plenty skilful shinty from both teams despite tiring legs as a full day’s shinty caught up with these young players. Alvie took the lead after some excellent play from their talented midfield line. They continued to drive forward, using the momentum from the opening goal, and added two more strikes to win 3-0 and clinch 2023 Primary 5 (& Under) National First Shinty title. Leeanne Mackay from tournament sponsors Ferguson Transport & Shipping presented the trophy and medals to all the players. |