Kennedy praises high standard of North schools’ squad after national triumph
Two footballers from Caithness and one from Orkney have played their part in a Scottish National Trophy triumph for the North of Scotland Schools’ Football Association.
It is understood to be the first time since 1978 that the senior boys’ cup has been won by a North select.
Euan Kennedy, George Ewing and Owen Bain – all of whom turned out for Wick Academy’s first team during the 2024/25 Highland League season – came through multiple trials to be selected for the squad.
The tournament is run by the Scottish Schools’ Football Association (SSFA) and contested by teams from regions across Scotland. The format was firstly mini-leagues, then knockout stages.
In the league phase, North were paired against Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. They were victorious in both, beating Aberdeen City 7-1 in Dingwall and Aberdeenshire 5-3 at Inverurie.
This saw them qualify for the knockout stages as winners, giving them a home tie in the quarter-finals against Glasgow. That proved to be a tough match, but after a spirited performance in the second half North won 5-4 with a last-minute goal.
The semi-final at Nairn was a more straightforward affair, although Fife did put up a good fight for a while before being overrun 6-1.
Paisley won against Dundee in the other semi-final. However, the date for that semi-final ran over by a few weeks which meant dates were becoming tight to allow the SSFA to schedule the final prior to study leave, as is stipulated within its rules.
A date of April 23 was set for the final in Aberdeen but Paisley declined, saying they couldn’t raise a team – meaning North were awarded the title.
During the presentation, held at Ross County’s stadium, SSFA secretary Gillian Duffy said: “Yes, it’s a very disappointing way to end the competition, but one that should not detract from the very impressive performances that the North boys have put in throughout the entire competition, managing to travel large distances to represent their region by boat, plane and road, and still going on to win all their matches.
“This is a thoroughly deserved win, and one all the North players should be very proud of.”
Players from schools as far afield as Thurso, Stornoway, Fort William, Grantown, Inverness and Dingwall gathered to be presented with the trophy and to receive their winners’ medals.
Neither Owen Bain (Thurso High School) nor George Ewing (Kirkwall Grammar School) could attend the presentation.
Euan Kennedy (Thurso High School) said: “It has been a brilliant honour to represent the North schools, and credit to the coaches, Kevin McKie and Angus Dey, for assembling a very good squad with quality in depth.
“I’ve played with or against almost all of them before, so I knew the high standard we had in there, including my two mates George and Owen.”
Kennedy, who scored four goals over the course of the competition and was also awarded man of the match against Glasgow, added: “It was really disappointing that we couldn’t play the final – but I’m 100 per cent confident we’d have gone on to win that match anyway, given the form we’ve been in.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this experience and it’s one I won’t forget in a hurry.”