St Mungo’s make confident start to title defence

The boys’ team has already started brightly in defence of the title with a 6-2 victory over Abronhill High School in the first round and they now face an away tie against Airdrie Academy.

St Mungo’s girls are chasing a third successive Senior Shield and already have a bye into the second round so won’t start the campaign until next month.

St Mungo’s also hold the girls’ Forth Valley Schools’ league titles at senior 1-2 and senior 3-6 level but coach Nicky Bell’s decision to field one all-encompassing team in the Scottish Shleld has proved to be a winner. “There is an under-15 girls’ Shield but then the younger players are cup tied for the National Trophy so I just have one senior team that includes some first-year pupils,” explained the former player and PE teacher who is now a Pupils’ Support Teacher at the school.

“Obviously, most of the payers come from the older years, but we have a good mix. A lot of the girls play for senior clubs such as Celtic and Falkirk.”

Last year’s winning line-up included two first year pupils in Keavy Gallagher and Morgan Lister and they will both be in the team again this year.

Last year’s winning line-up was Katie Hannam, Claire Hutton, Molly Fitzsimmons, Sam Debio, Aimee Thomson, Hollie Lister, Shelby Kearney, Kayleigh McCann, Alison Debio, Colette Tweedie, Chelsea MacKay, Eirinn Maguire, Keavy Gallagher and Morgan Lister.

A Liam McCroary hat-trick, a double from Alan Patterson and a sixth goal from Declan Fitzpatrick secured the decisive win over Abronhill. The rest of the squad comprised Ruraidh MacDonald, Ryan Shanks, Chris Beattie, Jordan Tapping, Ian McIntyre, Darren Swords, Andrew Meade, Grant Ferguson, Patrick O’Sullivan, Ryan  McElwee, Jack Forsyth and Cameron King.