Successful south schools shinty championships held at Taynuilt

A GREAT turnout of 25 teams spread across the primary seven and five sections arrived at Taynuilt Playing Fields on Sunday May 22 to compete in the annual South of Scotland Primary School Championships.

Play got underway at 11am with favourable weather conditions overhead.

North Lorn and Rockfield started proceedings in the P7 section and were obviously getting to grips with things as they shared a goalless draw in the first P7 tie. In the other section Ballachulish showed some early promise by defeating Dunoon by two goals to nil. After their long trip Aberdour wasted no time in winning against Dunollie by a goal to nil and the Ballachulish Bears started their P5 group game by defeating Park Sparks by a goal to nil.

The group games concluded at 3.30pm after which Bute Battlers, Aberdour, Taynuilt and Glasgow Gaels Yellows progressed to the semi-finals stage in the P5 section where as Bute, Park, Glasgow Gaels Reds and Ballachulish made it to the P7 semi-finals.

In the semi-finals Bute Battlers defeated Aberdour whilst Taynuilt overcame Glasgow Gaels Yellows to set up a mouth-watering P5 final. In the end Taynuilt won the final by two goals to nil and thoroughly deserved their victory. Bute were proving too strong in the P7 section and overcame reigning champions, Park, in their semi-final. They would face Ballachulish who managed to overcome Glasgow Gaels Reds in the other semi by three goals to two after extra time. Bute’s form did not slip and they managed to beat Ballachulish in the final by two goals to nil.

This year’s individual winners were Matthew Sloss, Taynuilt, who won the P5 player of the tournament and Marcus Planck, Bute, who won the P7 award. In addition to this Joseph Burns from Camanachd Dhun Eideann (Edinburgh) was presented with the Sheena Cameron memorial shield by Dougie Cameron for his outstanding effort and sportsmanship on the day.

Thanks must go to all the volunteers who gave up their time on the day to help run, provide catering, organise facilities and referee.

Bute took the honours in the P7 section.

Taynuilt were P5 winners. Photographs: Stephen Lawson

Mathew Sloss from Taynuilt was the P5 Player of the Tournament.