The Ferguson Transport and Shipping National finals brought together over 150 of the best young players from across Scotland all vying for the coveted National P5 and P7 titles.
The P7 & Under tournament was played at the Nevis centre, Fort William.
The standard of play throughout the day was of the highest order with all the 11 teams giving a great account of themselves.
Section A saw the impressive Rockfield Primary School top the group on maximum points with the equally impressive Tomnacross Primary two points behind, claiming the runners-up spot.Â
Section B couldn’t have been more competitive, with the classy Inverness Gaelic Primary School topping the group on 9 points, with the skilful and last year’s winners Caol Primary School on 8 points.
The first semi-final saw Caol Primary School take on Rockfield Primary in what can only be described as the best game of the day with Rockfield Primary edging out Caol Primary 4.3 in a thrilling contest.
Rockfield’s winning goal was scored with only 5 seconds left of normal time to book their place in the final.
The second semi-final saw Section B winners Inverness Gaelic School take on Tomnacross Primary in what was a closely contested game, with Inverness Gaelic School eventually prevailing 4.2 to reach the final.
The final between Rockfield Primary and Inverness Gaelic School started at a frantic pace with play raging from end to end, with the standard of play of the highest order.
Rockfield however, driven on by the outstanding Arthur Handley proving too much for the talented young Inverness team, with Rockfield running out deserved 7.2 winners, to win the P7 & Under National First Shinty Championships 2025.
Michael Oliver of tournament sponsors Ferguson Transport and Shipping presented the trophy and medals to all the players.
The P5 & Under competition took place at Lochaber High School and the large crowd, filled with travelling parents and family members was entertained with an afternoon of fantastic shinty.
Bun-sgoil Ghà idhlig Phort Righ (BSGP) and Aberdour Primary qualified from the competitive Group A pooling, the game between themselves saw both schools chasing the top spot in the group with a 2-2 draw and nothing between the sides goal difference had to come in to play to determine the top spot.
The strong St Columbus school team came out firmly on top of group B only losing 1 out of their 6 group games.
The runners up was left until the last Group B game of the day with Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Loch Aber (BSGLA) needing to beat St Columbus to make it through to the semi-finals.
Some fantastic shinty from both sets of young players and BSGLA playing their best of the day to secure the win they needed and gain a place in the Semis.
The first P5/4 Semi Final was between the two Gaelic Medium Primaries BSGP and BSGLA Some skilful play was on show with all players showing their impressive shinty talent.
There was nothing between the sides, both defending well and showing some silky forward play, the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Extra Time and Golden Goal were in place and both teams had chances to win it.
The victory came to the local team in the end with a excellent strike across goal into the back of the net to take BSGLA into the P4/5 final, a fantastic game with some very talented players from both teams.
The second Semi Final started quickly with St Columbus getting a goal inside the first minute to make it 1-0.
Aberdour who had been fantastic all day didn’t let that deter them and quickly brought it back to 1-1.
Rueben Hilditch who had been running the Aberdour midfield then showed his class with high energy play, sprinting to every ball and not letting a anything past him.
Aberdour had the momentum and scored another to make it 2-1, St Columbus didn’t stop battling though and showed some real grit and determination.
Aberdour kept the pressure on though and scored another taking in to 3-1 and sealing their place in the final.
The Final featured some impressive shinty from both BSGLA and Aberdour.
Aberdour maintained their tournament momentum, with Murdo MacColl opening the scoring.
BSGLA continued to battle and put Aberdour under pressure, with end-to-end shinty on display.
However, it was Aberdour that continued to drive forward adding another 4 goals, from Flynn Wilson, Rueben Hilditch, Connor Cook and Murdo MacColl (penalty).
To seal victory and Aberdour Primary’s first ever National Finals win.
Congratulations to Aberdour, who showed great determination, teamwork and shinty throughout the entire day.
Jack Ferguson of tournament sponsors Ferguson Transport and Shipping presented the trophy and medals to all the players.
