Portree Primary School and Inverlochy Primary School were the winners at the Gilmour Sports National First Shinty tournaments in Fort William on Saturday 25 February 2017.
Primary 5 (& under) Tournament
The Primary 5 (& under) tournament took place at Lochaber High School. Twelve teams qualified from their local tournaments and, following the league sections. Inverlochy and Rockfield Primary schools qualified from a highly a competitive Section A, with Balnain and Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abarin qualifying from Section B. The semi-finals were close affairs with Inverlochy winning the all Lochaber contest, defeating Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abarin 3-1 and Balnain edging Rockfield Primary 1.0 in a pulsating encounter. The final between Inverlochy beat Balnain was a highly competitive encounter with the talented Inverlochy side proving too strong in the end for a gallant Balnain side, running out worthy 2.0 winners. The Fair Play Award went to Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abarin.
Primary 7 (& under) Tournament
The Primary 7 (& under) tournament was played at the Nevis centre, Fort William in front of a large and noisy crowd. The standard of play throughout the day was of the highest order with all the fourteen teams giving a great account of themselves. Section A saw the impressive Dingwall team top the group on 9 points with last year’s winners Portree, a point behind, claiming the runners-up spot. Section B was just as closely with the young and talented Inverlochy side topping the group with Glasgow Gaelic School clinching second place. The semi-finals were close with Dingwall defeating Glasgow Gaelic School 2-1 and Portree victorious over Inverlochy, also 2-1, to set-up and intriguing final. The final started with Portree on the attack and they took an early lead with a goal from Angie Gilpin. Dingwall responded and went close to equalising only for Portree to score again with a well taken goal, again from Angie Gilpin. Portree made it 3-0 with seconds remaining, and it was that young man Angie Gilpin who completed his hat-trick, finishing off some lovely passing shinty, to win the trophy. Camanachd Association President Jim Barr presented the trophy to Portree captain William James Sutherland and medals to all the players.
The Portree squad were coached by Caley MacLean and it was fitting that the Island side should win on what was John Finlayson’s last shinty tournament before retiring as Head Teacher on 1 May 2017.
The Fair Play Award went to Inverness Gaelic School.
(Picture: Portree Primary School Headmaster John Finlayson with the winning squad)