Congratulations to St Ninian’s High School U14 football team who won the U14 Scottish Schools’ Football Association Scottish Shield after a 2-1 victory over Trinity High School from Rutherglen on Monday 19 May.  This is the first Scottish Shield title for St Ninian’s and the first of any school in East Renfrewshire.

The game was played in great spirit by both teams with the first half going from end to end.  Declan Walsh and Matthew Coyle were the stand out players for St Ninian’s as they broke up play and launch attacks.  At half-time it was 0-0.  The second half was mostly dominated by St Ninian’s who were rewarded with a goal with 12 minutes to go.  Paul Smith swung in a free kick and Matthew Reilly intelligently headed passed the keeper.   This goal was cheered enthusiatically by the St Ninian’s supporters who sensed they were about to see history being made.  However, just a few minutes later Trinity equalised with an unstoppable long range shot.  Chances then came at either end as both teams tried to win it with penalties beckoning.  Matthew Boyle made an incredible save to keep St Ninian’s in it.  Then with seconds remaining Mark MacBeth was played through on the right hand side of the penalty box.  The angle was against him and it seemed he should to look for a pass, though he struck a shot which flew passed the keeper and into the net.  The players and supporters were in raputures as the final whistle then blew.

A massive well done to all of the boys who are now enshrined in St Ninian’s folklore and they will be able to treasure this memory forever.

Matthew Boyle (2a10), Gregor Carey (2a1), Martin Cassells (2a7), Matthew Connelly (2a10), Matthew Coyle (2a6), Ronan Fox (2a5), Sonny Innes (2a9), Steven Johnston (2a3), Mark MacBeth (2a4), Alex MacDonald (2a10), Craig McKeegan (2a5), Raymond Paton (2a8), Matthew Reilly (2a10), Lewis Smith (2a6), Paul Smith (2a3), Declan Walsh (2a6)

You can view more photos from this great occasion here.