Two players named Finlay Maclennan proved double trouble for Kingussie as Beauly lifted the MacTavish Under-17 Juvenile Cup, the final North silverware of the season.
Several of the Greens’ team who won 4-0 in the twice-postponed final at Braeview Park, Beauly, will now be called in to next season’s first team squad for the National Division campaign.
Finlay ‘Stork’ Maclennan, son of former first team co-manager Jamie , scored the second and third goals. The ‘other’ Finlay Maclennan hit the final nail in Kingussie’s coffin and won the player of the match medal.
Niall Maclennan and Grigor McCormick started the season as under-17 bosses then had to step up to be first team co-managers while continuing their original roles.
While Maclennan senior saw his son win the player of the match award, McCormick’s 17 year old offspring Euan was the captain who stepped up to collect the trophy.
McCormick said: “The outlook is extremely bright for this club’s future, judging by the skill and commitment of these young lads.
“The effort our lads put in was tremendous and we anticipate several of them being promoted to become first team squad members, lads like Torrin Cairns, Thomas Mackinnon, my Euan and the two Finlay Maclennans.
Some have tasted first team action already and they all have the potential to make their mark at that level.
“Hopefully, they will take their chance and aim to push their way forward. The bigger the squad we have, the stronger our challenge will next year to win promotion to the Premiership.”
McCormick added: “It was a really hard, competitive final on a pitch that was heavy but in good shape for the time of year. Kingussie battled hard and were still in the game till we scored two late goals.”
Full back Eoin Baikie and skipper Iain Fraser starred for The Dell side, who also have several lads in contention for the senior squad.
Kieran Rennie made Beauly’s breakthrough in 15 minutes with ‘Stork’ Maclennan adding another in 32 minutes. ‘Stork’ struck again 17 minutes from time, then his namesake netted in the 80th minute.
Oban Camanachd lift MacQuiston Cup in style
Oban Camanachd lifted the 95-year-old MacQuiston Cup for South Under-17s, running riot with a 12-0 win over a very young Glasgow Mid Argyll outfit at Mossfield Park.
Ewen Campbell led the spree with five goals while Lewis MacFarlane fired four. Coll MacKay hit a double with Pearce McBeth also on target for the Red and Blacks.