The North won back the Coal Cup with a 3-1 victory over the South at Mossfield on Saturday 2 September 2023.

The South squad were led by Stephen Campbell and Alec MacVicar whilst North Kenny MacLeod and Iain Nicolson took charge of the North. 

The North started on the front foot and Ross Gordon’s shot in the opening minute was saved by the excellent Gordon Currie who also tipped a Struan Ross strike onto the post a minute later.

Then Max Campbell sent a strike over the bar from Ross Gordon’s ball across goal before the South threatened with a Campbell Watt strike on 21 minutes.

The North went back on the attack and Ross MacKinnon’s 20-yard shot was saved with his feet by keeper Currie who then made a great stop to deny Max Campbell following a scramble in the D on 28 minutes.

North full forward Euan Maccormick opened the scoring on 35 minutes, surging forward to first-time a ball across the D by the keeper to make it 1-0.

They came close to doubling their lead when Gordon Currie saved again, this time with his feet from Ross Gordon and Ross MacKinnon sent the rebound wide.

The South created the final chance of the half on 42 minutes with Campbell Watt shooting by the left-hand post.

The South made a storming start to the second half, and Murphy Henderson in the North goal had to be at his best to keep them at bay, saving from Scott MacVicar on 52 minutes.

The South levelled on the hour when Scott MacVicar slammed a rebound into the roof of the net from inside the D.

Campbell Watt fired over from 25 yards following a good run on 64 minutes.

The North worked their way back into the game though and, on 67 minutes, Gordon Currie kept out an effort from Ross MacKinnon.

The North regained the lead on 78 minutes. Ross MacKinnon’s great strike was saved, but Ross Gordon was on hand to tap home the rebound.

Archie MacRae sealed success just 3 minutes later with the goal of the game, striking the ball across the keeper from wide on the left.

When match referee Lachie Wood blew for time, all that was left was for North captain Duncan MacPherson from Newtonmore to collect the trophy.

Whilst it doesn’t look as if there will be a shinty / hurling under-21 international this year, all the players on show all made the most of this representative appearance.

North boss Kenny MacLeod said: “We were good in the first half and created many chances. We just didn’t get going in the second half though, but fair play to the South as they were totally up for it from the restart. We found a way to win in the end.

“The heat made for difficult conditions and Glenurquhart’s Alastair Maclean was tremendous for us the whole game.”

North under-21 from: Murphy Henderson (Skye Camanachd), Connor MacGregor (Caberfeidh), Duncan MacPherson (Newtonmore), Euan Macormick (Beauly), Russell MacKenzie (Caberfeidh), George Taylor-Ramsay (Kingussie), Hamish Shaw (Fort William), Ross MacKinnon (Skye Camanachd), Alistair Maclean (Glenurquhart), Struan Ross (Newtonmore), Archie MacRae (Kinlochshiel), Arron MacBean (Newtonmore), Ross Gordon (Skye Camanachd), Max Campbell (Lochaber), James Morrison (Beauly)

South under-21 from: Andrew Tyre (Col Glen), Calum MacDonald (Inveraray), Calum MacMillan (Bute), Campbell Watt (Inveraray), Ewen Campbell (Oban Celtic), Freddie Patterson (Ardnamurchan), Gordon Currie (Bute), Herbie Patterson (Ardnamurchan), Innes Jackson (Oban Celtic), Jamie Forgrieve (Oban Celtic), Josh Cowan (Bute), Murdo Macrae (Kyles Athletic), Murray McClymont (Col Glen), Scott Harvey (Bute), Scott MacVicar (Col Glen), Sorley Thomson (Kyles Athletic)

Match Referee – Lachie Wood