Liam Duffy
IT WAS an exciting month for GAA in Scotland, with passion, drive and skill aplenty on the field, both in Scotland and south of the border.
Most notably, the Scotland men’s side (above) kicked off their campaign on the right note with a victory over Hertfordshire. An earlier match against Yorkshire resulted in a walkover being awarded after their opponents failed to field, but Scotland showed it was no slice of luck to be awarded the win over Yorkshire by demonstrating their dominance with a well-won victory.
Captained by Paul Duffy of Glasgow Gaels, a large contingent of his teammates were in the Scotland team along with representatives of the other clubs.
The combined force proved one to be reckoned with, running out convincing winners by a score of 1-14 to 1-07. Scotland have high hopes in this year’s championship, and following on from their gift from Yorkshire, they showed why they are highly regarded by their potential opponents.
With an excellent springboard they can now go on and build a campaign which they hope will lead to glory.
Also taking to the field that day to fight for intercounty honours were the girls’ under-14 team, participating in the British Feile. Their performances were a credit to girls’ football in Scotland, making it all the way to the final on home turf only to be overpowered by an excellent London side in the final and will serve as excellent preparation for the Feile this summer in Ireland.
After an excellent showing last year, Scotland’s young ladies enhanced an already strong reputation, and will be regarded a dangerous side this year by their opponents as they hope to improve on last year’s efforts. With the ladies scene already full of talented players and active clubs, the future is bright as the youngsters look to continue their involvement in Gaelic games.
Among the ladies, too, this month, there was some exciting action. Dalriada made it two wins out of two in their league campaign so far as they welcomed Glasgow Gaels juniors on their trip north.
In the end it was not to be a fruitful journey as they were sent back down the road disappointed after a winning performance by the home side.
Gaels did have something to cheer their ladies up this month though, after a long journey south by their intermediate squad to take on John Mitchels. The daunting prospect of taking on a club of such pedigree did little to deter the Gaels, though, and they travelled back up to Glasgow having claimed a highly creditable draw against the home side.
Dunedin Connollys ladies’ meanwhile got their first championship win of the season as they claimed the scalp of Roger Casements. In what was a hard fought victory the ladies had to dig deep to secure the win, running out winners by a score of 1-15 to 3-06.
There was a repeat of the junior ladies’ fixture as Gaels travelled north to take on Dalriada—along with a similar outcome. Again the home side were triumphant and they look like going a long way towards turning their home into something of a fortress for the club.
Tír Conaill Harps secured a victory over Glasgow Gaels in the men’s junior league, winning by 6-06 to 1-02 in monsoon conditions.
Sands MacSwineys, meanwhile—the most youthful side in the junior competition—remain in search of their first victory after encounters against Tír Conaill, Dalriada and Glasgow Gaels.
Between the senior sides in Scotland, Dunedin Connollys look to have the upper hand over Glasgow Gaels after a victory over them in the first senior match to be played at the Clydebank Community Sports Hub, however Gaels will have the chance to redress the situation as they take on Connollys in the senior league final in Coatbridge this month.
