GRANT Street Park saw scenes of great delight on July 15th when Clach hosted the Tartan Army’s Scottish finals for the first time – and won for the second time, beating their challengers 4-1.
This contest for the Scotland Travel Club Fair Play Trophy sees the faithful fans, who normally follow Craig Brown’s men from the terraces, get a chance to strut their stuff on the turf.
Organised by the SFA and sponsored by Bell’s Whisky, the fans have teams from all over the country – West of Scotland, Edinburgh, Perth & East of Scotland (PESTA) and Inverness-based Highland who won last year and were invited to host this summer’s event.
Among those representing Highland were some well-kent Merkinch faces, including team captain Hughie MacIver and Andy Gillon. Hughie, who plays at right back formerly lived in Merkinch and has long been a member of Clach Supporters Club – he was also a member of the winning team last year. And Andy Gillon (centre half) at one time played for Clach as well as Caley Thistle and Ross County, and is now helping Harlequins to glory in the Amateur League.
The hosts beat Edinburgh and West of Scotland was beaten by PESTA in the semi-finals, which were played at Culloden Playing Fields earlier in the day. The final, which kicked off at Clach at 4.30pm, resulted in a 4-1 win for Highland.
All concerned paid tribute to the hospitality they received in Inverness and praised especially the state of the pitch at the Clach Park which – in glorious sunshine – looked like a bowling green.
ATHLETE Alexina Mac-Arthur continued to fulfil her early promise at the SAF U-13/U-15 Scottish Championships at Queen’s Park, Inverness on 9th July. The former Merkinch Primary pupil, who now attends Inverness High and is a member of Inverness Harriers, took Gold in the U-13 800 metres.
And at the Women’s Scottish Cup at Coatbridge the next weekend she took bronze in the U-15 1500m in 5 minutes 13.2 seconds.