PICTURES: Kingussie U17 boss full of praise for young charges and their parents
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Kingussie Under 17 co-boss Dallas Young has paid tribute to his squad for their dedication during a tough season.
The youngsters suffered a 4-0 reverse in their MacTavish Juvenile Cup Final against Beauly with two late goals adding some sheen to the final result.
The winter weather meant the squad endured an almost three-hour trek through the snow to reach Braeview Park in Beauly for what was an entertaining clash on Saturday.
The youngsters are coached by ex-first team players Iain Borthwick and Young and the latter had no complaints with the final outcome.
“Everything considered, the boys were excellent as they have been all season so we have no complaints,” said Young.
“We missed Bobby Russell; he was a massive loss and his absence meant we had to reshuffle things a bit.
“A penalty gave us a chance to get back into it, but it was missed, and Beauly then went straight up the park and added a second goal; that’s just the way it goes.
“It has been a difficult year for everyone and we fulfilled all our fixtures but only had seven games all season. Our semi-final against Skye was our only match since the end of June, and while that didn’t affect the players’ attitude and desire, it did have an impact on some of the finer points of our game.
“I’m sure it was the same for Beauly.
"The boys never complained though and they were committed to training despite the lack of games so great credit to them all for that.
“Congratulations to Beauly on their victory though and a massive thank you to our own squad, who throughout the season have given everything and more, and to the supporters who made it to the match in difficult conditions.”
A toss of the coin had given Beauly home advantage in this twice-postponed final and the 1pm throw-up was delayed by half an hour to allow the Kings to reach their destination.
It was a bitterly cold day, but that did not deter a good-sized crowd from gathering around the touchline where they were entertained by the cream of youth shinty.
Beauly took the lead on 15 minutes. The Kingussie defence was unable to clear a corner and Kieran Rennie struck the ball from the left of the D, over keeper George Taylor Ramsay and into the net.
Kingussie had a chance to level when referee Iain Kennedy awarded them a penalty just after the half- hour, penalising home keeper Lennox Stewart for a”kick” when trying to clear Sam Thain’s corner from the right.
However, Stewart redeemed himself when he saved with his legs from Iain Fraser’s spot-hit.
Kingussie tried to force the rebound home, but the referee blew for an infringement and the chance was gone.
Moments later Finlay “Stork” MacLennan burst forward to make it 2-0, taking a touch before sliding the ball low into the net
following a good passing move up the right side.
Kingussie played George Taylor Ramsay outfield in the second half with his brother Hayden Taylor Ramsay, the youngest player in their squad, going in goal where he played well.
Two late goals put gloss on the win. “Stork” MacLennan got his second with eight minutes remaining, sending a great shot from distance high into the net.
Finlay MacLennan then added a fourth goal in the final minute with a snapshot from the front of the D following Charlie MacRae’s hit-in on the right.
The final score was harsh on the young Kingussie side as this was a close, hard fought contest. Jack Nelson and Eoin Baikie were excellent in the Kingussie defence where they were ably assisted by Pavel Nagle and Alfie Roberts.
Beauly’s Finlay MacLennan was awarded the Sandy MacKay Medal as man of the match by Sandy’s widow Mina Mackay before Camanachd Association President Steven MacKenzie presented the cup to Beauly skipper Euan MacCormick.
Young also thanks all people behind the scenes at Kingussie for their dedication: “The committee put appropriate procedures in place and the work undertaken by the likes of Covid officers goes unseen, but it made a massive difference and allowed the boys to play.
“The parents were a big help too. We can’t thank them all enough.”
