The 102nd Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final between Fort William and Kyles Athletic takes place at Mossfield, Oban on Saturday 19 September 2009.
Fort William have several incentives coming into this final. They have the chance to win 3 Camanachd Cups in a row and to rescue what has been a pretty disappointing season. They certainly have options and for perhaps the only time this season, manager Drew MacNeil has a full squad to pick from. Will James Clark and the rejuvenated Victor Smith play up front together? Bryan Simpson will be a vital player as will Gary Innes. Players such as Niall MacPhee and Chris Bamber will be vital but so will how the Fort defence deal with the speedy Kyles forward line.
Kyles have punch up front and a good mixture of youth and experience. Key youth players include forwards Grant Irvine and Tom White and the clean hitting Robbie MacLeod in midfield. They also have the father and son duo of keeper Kenny MacDonald and midfielder Roddy MacDonald who has recovered from a head knock picked up in the first, postponed semi final.
The Final will have an added piece of glamour with a performance of Scotland’s national anthem, Flower of Scotland, by the Corries’ Ronnie Brown.
Ronnie will perform the anthem before the match, alongside both teams of finalists; Kyles Athletic and Fort William. It was the Corries’ band member, Roy Williamson, back in the 1960s, who wrote the song which has been adopted by the population of Scotland as their national anthem and spectators at the match and viewers on BBC2 Scotland will be lucky enough to see Ronnie perform, as he has done at countless international football and rugby ties all over the world.
Entry to the final is £10 per adult, £5 for concessions and under 12s get in for free. The one ticket will gain you access to see the MacMaster U14 Cup Final between Skye Camanachd and Fort William which precedes the main final at 11.15am and the Scottish Hydro Development Trophy Final between Skye Camanachd B and Milngavie & Bearsden which takes place following the Kyles Athletic, Fort William clash with a 4pm throw up.
Gates open at Mossfield at 11am. Local foods from Argyll and drink will be available to purchase all day. Parking is at a premium so be sure and arrive early. The weather forecast is also good so a big crowd is expected.
The 2009 final throws up at 1.45pm and will be broadcast live on both television and radio. Television coverage will be on BBC2 Scotland and radio coverage is on both BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal.