Shinty gears up for Camanachd Classico
This year's Camanachd Cup Final will be contested by Shinty's oldest rivals, Kingussie and Newtonmore.
Both Badenoch clubs won their semi finals on Saturday at Spean Bridge, setting up one of the most eagerly anticipated finals in years.
The last time the two rivals met each other in a Camanachd Final was in 1997 where Kingussie embarrassed - and demolished their neighbours 12-1.
Kingussie, on the other hand, are very experienced in this final, and the experience Stevie Bothwick's young guns developed in last year's final will certainly help them prepare.
With Ronald Ross also captain, and rumoured to retire from playing at the end of this season, who knows what fate will have in store.
When Glen Macintosh scored for Newtonmore after only 10 minutes, supporters were heard to say they feared the worse.
Russel McKinlay however rubbished all such thoughts moments later when his strike equalised for Inveraray.
McKinlay then doubled his tally for the day thrusting Inveraray into the driving seat while setting the South fans alight.
As the minutes ticked away David Cheyne levelled the score for 'More' taking the tie to extra time.
Newtonmore stepped up a gear in extra-time, and in the end comfortably beat Inveraray 5-2 after Glen Macintosh completed his hat-trick, while Steven MacDonald found the net with literally the last hit of the ball.
Kingussie on the other hand had no such drama and they brushed aside Kilmallie 6-0. Kilmallie started the match extremely well and went into the dressing rooms at half time goalless.
King's marksman and skipper Ronald Ross must have woken up at half-time as he bagged a hat-trick in under seven minutes from the restart.
Further goals from Craig Dawson, Fraser Munro and a fourth from Ross completed the day's haul.
The only Premier League fixture to take place saw Lovat beat Oban Camanachd 1-0.
Greg Matheson's strike on 58 minutes was enough to secure both points for the Kiltarlity men.
The Artemis MacAulay Cup Final takes place this Saturday at Mossfield Park, Oban.
South's Kyles Athletic meet North's Newtonmore live to the nation on BBC TWO, to find out which part of the Shinty country has the dominance and bragging rights for another year.
Newtonmore were the first ever winners of the MacAulay Cup in 1947 and have not won it since 1986 where they beat Kyles Athletics 4-2 in the final.
Kyles Athletic's have had a tremendous season so far and have only lost one fixture to Inveraray all year.
Newtonmore have lost five fixtures however after last weekend's victory, and confidence running high ahead of their Camanachd Cup Final This will be a final not to be missed.
Who do you think will take this year's MacAulay Cup? Will it head North to Newtonmore or will the South village of Tighnabruaich welcome home their champions?
Only one Premier fixture is scheduled this weekend which brings Kingussie and Kilmallie back together once more.
King's have managed 14 goals past Kilmallie with out reply in their last two encounters.
With both teams safe in the league, this fixture will allow Kilmallie the opportunity to try some positional key changes.
I am off to Prague this weekend with Mànran for a festival so unfortunately miss the big match, and the opportunity to be part of the BBC commentary team.
I will be sure to be tuned in though sitting by the Vltava with a cold one shouting out in my strongest highland accent "Come on?"
Safe travels to all clubs and supporters.
My name is Gary Innes and I play shinty for Fort William and Scotland. When not swinging my caman on the field, I play traditional music for a living and travel widely up and down the country to accommodate both passions. I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts, and hearing from you on Scotland's oldest and wildest sport: shinty.
Comment number 1.
At 01:26 23rd Aug 2011, Daverichallen wrote:This event has got me tingling with excitment. A long awaited game and unfathomably undercovered fixture.
I however cannot see Newtonmore over coming Tighnabruaich, the depth in their squad and their expereince will prove too much. Though I dont see this being a whitewash as we have seen in the past. A close game. Maybe 10 - 8?
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Comment number 2.
At 01:57 23rd Aug 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote:I don't think it will be as high scoring as that, maybe 4-2 or 4-3. Think it will be a fantastic game, and a must watch event.
But please tell me, when are the beeb going to start giving us some real coverage?
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Comment number 3.
At 02:02 23rd Aug 2011, Daverichallen wrote:Liverpaul85, I am surprised a southerner as you (I am guessing you are from liverpool) has any interest in the "real" beautiful game! But you are right, the beeb need to step up their game and set an example. Maybe we should start an epetition? They seem to work well!
I think if the score is that low the game will be very boring, so I am hoping for a much higher score!
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Comment number 4.
At 02:07 23rd Aug 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote:hardly a southerner!
the game is so beautiful that it doesn't depend on high scores to be enjoyable, just the skill and strength involved is enough to make me watch re run after re run on youtube!
you should check it out dave, maybe you could learn a thing or two!
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Comment number 5.
At 02:12 23rd Aug 2011, Daverichallen wrote:I am an old timer when it comes to this and have forgotten more than most could know.
You are right the skill and physicallity is second to none. But you cant escape the excitment of a tug and war after points are scored from each team!
Come and join us up here the other side of the wall and you shall see just how southern you really are!
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Comment number 6.
At 02:34 23rd Aug 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote:so which part of scotland are you fro mthen daverichallen?! give me your address and i'll pop up and watch the final with ya
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Comment number 7.
At 02:45 23rd Aug 2011, Daverichallen wrote:I am just down the road from Spean Bridge. Will email you the address if you ahve email in the south yet. I'll show you how to really play Shinty!
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Comment number 8.
At 02:52 23rd Aug 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote:so which part of scotland is shinty in??
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Comment number 9.
At 02:58 23rd Aug 2011, Daverichallen wrote:Really?
You do realise Shinty isnt a place? I thought you followed the sport.
For the benifit of your Southerners map I am in Fort William (or as close as you would know).
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Comment number 10.
At 03:12 23rd Aug 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote:I was being sarcastic because i have a work colleague reading this blog and he was unsure whether shinty was a sport, or a place!
So you just up the A86 to kingussie then? lovely part of the country!
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Comment number 11.
At 03:14 23rd Aug 2011, Daverichallen wrote:Where has he been living all his life? The South?
It is lovely up here. Where true men are from!
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Comment number 12.
At 03:23 23rd Aug 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote:Yeah he has soent a lot of his time down south, some parts of oxford, london and the west country!
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Comment number 13.
At 03:27 23rd Aug 2011, Daverichallen wrote:He sounds like a well travelled man. Never good to get stuck in one place. But this comes back to the beeb not showing Shinty down there, he can't be blamed.
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Comment number 14.
At 03:45 23rd Aug 2011, Liverpaul85 wrote:This is true. as i have said previously, if the beeb were more open to showing the tradtional scottish sports then maybe there would be less of a divide between the north and south!
I think we should move shinty into a primetime slot, How about 2pm on a saturday afternoon? maybe replacing the rugby?
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Comment number 15.
At 03:53 23rd Aug 2011, Daverichallen wrote:Whats rugby?
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