Dramatic final for Gaelic schools football competition
Issued by Comunn na Gàidhlig
For more photos see this link.
All the drama sport can offer was on show this weekend at the finals of the ‘Cuach na Cloinne’ Gaelic schools football competition.
Fort William Gaelic Primary won the event, but not without a fight, having to go to penalties in the final against Tollcross Primary from Edinburgh, and Portree Primary in the semi-finals, after both games ended in a draw.
The final round of the ‘Cuach na Cloinne 2011’ competition was played in Fort William itself, and the local team were worthy winners. In total there were nine teams represented having won through the regional competitions held in recent weeks.
Competition was strong, with teams from Lewis, Skye, Inverness, Dingwall, Fort William, Dunoon, Cumbernauld and Edinburgh all vying for the title. In the semi-finals Back Primary from Lewis played against Tollcross from Edinburgh, and Portree played against Fort William, with Tollcross and Fort William winning through to the final. In the end Fort William succeeded in lifting the trophy.
Donald MacNeill, Chief Executive of Comunn na Gàidhlig, who run the competition said: “It was a real pleasure to see so many youngsters competing in the Cuach na Cloinne finals. All of the players, boys and girls, were doing their very best to play fairly as well as trying to win their matches. It was also good to see this next generation of Gaelic speakers coming together from all across Scotland.
“This is one of the key drivers behind the competition, providing young Gaels with the opportunity to use their language outwith the classroom, and to see that Gaelic is used across Scotland and not only within their own communities.
“We are grateful to those funders who helped support this years event; Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, The Highland Council and MG ALBA. We hope to be back soon with news of Cuach na Cloinne 2012!”
In addition to the Cuach na Cloinne trophy, held by the winning school for a year, a new MG ALBA trophy was awarded to Fort William Gaelic Primary this year, which will be retained as a permanent reminder of the team’s success.
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