McKenna says taking charge of Caithness select has been 'a massive privilege'
It was "a massive privilege" to be invited to take charge of the Caithness AFA select for their inter-county matches with Orkney and Sutherland, according to Tom McKenna.
Caithness lifted the Portland Bowl on Saturday when they came from behind to beat Sutherland 3-1 at Back Park. That was a fortnight after the county side had lost 2-1 in the annual Archer Shield clash in Orkney.
McKenna, the manager of first division side Castletown, led the Caithness select in both games. He was assisted by Cameron Mackenzie for the Orkney match and by Gavin Henderson and Robbie Carbry for Saturday's fixture, the first time the Portland Bowl had been contested since 2007.
“It's very hard work trying to get squads together, if I'm being completely honest," McKenna said. "That aspect of it has been really difficult.
"But being involved in the games and working with the lads who did give up their time makes it all worthwhile.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the games, and the experience prior to the games and then after. For me it's a massive privilege to be asked to take the teams.
“I'd like to thank CAFA for giving me the opportunity to be involved with the squads, and all the local managers for allowing me to get their players involved as well.
"Especially I'd like to thank the players for their time and their effort. I really do appreciate it."
Robbie Murray fired in the opener for Sutherland inside the first minute. Caithness had the upper hand after the break and equalised with an own goal.
Dylan Alexander made it 2-1 when he got on the end of a cutback and thumped the ball into the net, and captain Martin Banks made sure of the victory with a penalty.
McKenna said: “They started off with an intensity that we just couldn't cope with. We were really unsettled by the way they pressed us and we couldn't string two passes together – everything was forced and we constantly put ourselves under pressure.
“We did create some chances in the first half. I think the wind had an influence as well.
“Lewis Gallacher had some crucial saves to keep us in the game.
“We knew Sutherland wouldn't be able to sustain that intensity and it was more or less a game of two halves. We came out in the second half and had a good go at them.
"We made a couple of changes and that seemed to influence the game as well. We played a lot better.”
McKenna praised the contribution of captain Banks, saying: “We put Martin a bit more central in the second half. He was working the channels well.
"He was making it difficult for the centre-backs and they couldn't cope with him. His pace and his movement were really good.”
Earlier, in the U18 game at Ham Park in Dunnet, Caithness ran out 6-0 winners over their Sutherland counterparts.
There was a hat-trick for Morgan Kennedy, with the others coming from Kieran Macgregor, Andrew Brims and an own goal.
Caithness squad: Lewis Gallacher (High Ormlie Hotspur), Dylan Alexander (Castletown), Greg Macleod (Castletown), Kieran Macgregor (Castletown), William Cannop (High Ormlie Hotspur), Stuart Sinclair (John O'Groats), Grant Budge (John O'Groats), Lewis Mackillop (Lybster), Innes Mackintosh (Pentland United), James Murray (Pentland United), Matthew Aitkenhead (Staxigoe United), Martin Banks (Staxigoe United), Darren Sheppard (Staxigoe United), Kian Mackay (Thurso Swifts), Steven Sutherland (Wick Thistle).
Caithness U18 squad: Mackenzie Beaton (Pentland United), Leo Shearer (Staxigoe United), Kieran Macgregor (Castletown), Scott Levack (Keiss), Carter Mackay (Keiss), Lewis Gill (Keiss), Lewis Mackillop (Lybster), Elliot Cormack (Lybster), Andrew Brims (Pentland United), Morgan Kennedy (Staxigoe United), Kian Mackay (Thurso Swifts), Rory Taylor (Swifts), Bailey Morrison (Swifts), Lucas Reid (Swifts), Sam Shearer (Wick Groats), Scott Durrand (Wick Thistle), Sean Pearson (Thistle), Joshua Hughes (Thistle).