Uist and Barra teens impress in Dublin

Uist and Barra assembled a hugely talented teen troupe of junior starlets for the competition in Dublin for four games over a three-day period.

Two wins, a draw and a single defeat over the four game piece helped them to a third place finish – a hugely impressive placing against such prestigious opposition.

Uist and Barra drew 3-3 with Lisburn Distillery (Dublin Cup Runners Up); they went down 2-1 to Sande Sportsklubb Norway; they won comprehensively 8-2 over Drimnagh Celtic 2 before edging Newry NI 2-1.

Iain Macdonald, Uist and Barra under-17s manager, said: “We never quite made the final like we did in Galway in 2012 and Costa Brava in 2014 but we did play off for The Plate and duly defeated a rather volatile Newry side 2-1, this was without the services of Niall Walker (Captain), David Walker and Innes MacRae who had to travel back with one of our adults Martin Matheson by sea and coach earlier that day.

“We made fantastic friends with the Norwegian lads from Sande who were based in the same hotel as were both Inverness Caledonian Thistle U13/U14 teams and the Norwegian party are desperate to come over to Scotland and for us to go over there next year, so watch this space.

“Special thanks to my adult helpers and close friends, Willie, Cherry, Kenny MacAulay and Martin Matheson who as always excelled as did young Scott MacDonald. Thanks also to sponsors and funders such as Storas Uibhist and Deirdre Steele, David Blaney, Donnie Steele, Ronald MacKinnon, Murdina and Ann at Tagsa for the Coaches and service all year round with hires and to both Daliburgh and Creagorry Cooperatives for letting us bagpack throughout the year and a huge mention to Stephen MacDonald at the Daliburgh Coop for all his help and finally to Pluto and the EDF team for a big mention at the fantastic festival which was greatly appreciated.

“Also, to the Liniclate Sports Leisure Staff for letting us use the 3G facility all year round and Caledonian MacBrayne and a rather special mention to Buddy MacKay for both sponsoring the team (Duncan MacKay & Sons Ltd) and also coming away as an adult helper, really appreciated by us all and also to his sons Luke MacKay who played a huge part in the team doing so well with seven of the goals and also his younger brother Sam who played every game and at 13 has a great future in the game. They are all very much part of the Uist/Barra/Eriskay family.

“Finally we all wish young David Walker a speedy recovery as he broke his collar bone in the Norwegian game and is about to go for surgery to Glasgow as we speak.”