ABERDOUR duo Angus Thorburn and Cameron McCue starred for South of Scotland under-21s as they defeated their North rivals in the annual shinty clash last Saturday.

The match pitched the best players from both ends of the country against each other, and Thorburn (19), playing in his first North v South fixture, netted his team's second goal as they recorded a convincing 3-1 victory in Fort William, while McCue (18) had enjoyed previous experience of the match at under-14 and under-17 level.

Thorburn, the second-top scorer in this season's South Division One, put the South ahead a minute before half-time after Stuart Callison had cancelled out Glasgow Mid-Argyll player Craig Anderson's 32nd minute penalty.

Although Strachur's Iain Wilson sealed the win in the 89th minute, Thorburn's goal proved crucial and Aberdour coach Lisa Norman was full of praise for the duo, who will hope to be named in the under-21 hurling/shinty match with Ireland in Newry next month.

She told Press Sport, "This match used to be one of those things to lay claim to in shinty and they are using it as a base to select the Scotland under-21 squad to go to Ireland next month, as the best play against each other. We'll have to wait and see what happens but I'm delighted for both of them as it's a reward for the season they've had. They have both stepped up out of the under-17s; Angus was our top scorer while Cammy has been fantastic playing in defence. I'm delighted for both of them that they have represented themselves and the club so well and for us it is good to know that we're doing the right thing in terms of young players coming through.

"They've both got very bright futures and we're delighted to know that our guys can fit into these squads and levels. It means a great deal to the club because it makes us realise that although we might not be at the top of the league all the time, we have players of that ability coming through. The younger players look up to them and they are well respected in the club, so it should give them a bit more confidence to take into next season."