Double delight for North shinty starlets

NORTH shinty sides saw off their rivals from the South as the under-14s and under-17s got their hands on this year’s representative silverware.

The matches were played at Mossfield Park in Oban and the under-14s were up first.

It started at a frantic pace and the South almost caught the North cold with a sweeping attack in the first minute that ended when North goalkeeper Lee Dunbar produced a sharp save to clear the danger.

The North gradually got a foothold in the game, driven on by the impressive Fergus Dobson in midfield and took the lead after 10 minutes through a well taken Duncan Gorman strike.

Further goals by the North’s Sandy Elrick, Gorman and Finlay MacDonald brought the half-time score to 4-0.

The second half got off to an exciting start when referee John Macgregor awarded the South a penalty after consultation with his goal judge who had spotted a push inside the area.

Callum Mclay gave Dubar no chance from the spot with a well-struck penalty to make it 4-1.

The South did press to further reduce the deficit, but the final goal came through a long-distance strike from MacDonald to complete his double.

The under-17s went one better as they racked up a stunning 6-1 win against their South rivals.

There was little between the teams in the early exchanges, with the South defence well marshalled by captain Ian Macfarlane, holding their own against the highly-rated North forward line.

The introduction of Ali Nixon at full forward after 25 minutes was the turning point as he broke the deadlock with an instinctive strike soon after.

The South, though, responded swiftly with a fine goal of their own, as Connor Sartain got on the end of a sweeping move to fire past Josh Grant.

Savio Genini then restored the North advantage when he flicked home from inside the box and further goals from Barrie MacDonald and Nixon brought the half-time score to 4-1.

It was a tight tussle in the second half, but further North goals from MacDonald and Jordan Macphee wrapped up the win in style.

North captain Aran MacPhee was presented with the trophy from his father Duncan.

Camanachd Associations national development officer Ronald Ross said: "The youth representative matches are such an important date in the youth diary bringing together the best young talent our game has to offer."