We kicked off the new year on Saturday 6th January with our traditional lomain Challainn game.
Club chieftain lain ‘Diablo’ Sinclair officiated two 9-sided teams in an entertaining seventy minute game full of goals.
The ‘home’ team, sporting our iconic Dubh Is Gorm, consisted of Tyson, Donny, Finlay, Paddy Sinclair, Ronan, Scott, Donnie, Ruaraidh & Paul.
Their counterparts, wearing the away strips, consisted of Willie, Seumas, Gaga, Michael, Daniel Harrison, Ryan, Donald, Duncan & Callum.
The game exploded into life from the get-go, with the ‘home’ team scoring twice in a minute to lead 2-0 after just five minutes. You wouldn’t need too many guesses as to who scored the goals; last year’s top goal scorer & player of the year, Donnie MacRae with two close range finishes.
The ‘away’ side clawed their way back into the game and pulled one back after twenty minutes when Donald’s strong shot from the right whistled past Tyson.
Defences were on top for most of the rest of the first period but the ‘away’ side did manage to draw level on the stroke of half-time when Duncan scooped in.
It took even less time in the second half for Donnie to strike once more, a looping long-range strike giving the ‘home’ side the lead once again just ninety seconds after the restart.
Both sides were creating chances but it was the ‘home’ side that restored their two-goal lead when Paul swept home.
The ‘away’ side wouldn’t go away though and Duncan banged one in five minutes later to make it 4-3.
Unfortunately for the ‘away’ side, there was just no stopping Donnie MacRae who pulled the ‘home’ side two clear again with another close-range finish.
The ‘home’ side further extended their lead with five minutes to go. Ruaraidh picked up the ball on the right wing and played a perfect cross into Paul who finished with aplomb.
The ‘away’ side refused to give way & that tenacity paid off when a backhand from Daniel Harrison rippled the net almost immediately from throw up to make it 6-4.
The goal bonanza finally came to an end in second half stoppage time when Donnie MacRae notched his fifth goal of the day & ensured the ‘home’ side came away with a 7-4 win.
A fantastic way to kick off our 2024. The hard work starts now as we begin training every Saturday ahead of the season starting. Roll on March!