2014 St Andrews Shinty Sixes | |
13 June 2014 A total 28 teams including around 200 shinty players from the USA to Italy converged on St Andrews to play 52 matches in a fantastic celebration of shinty. As captains past and present rubbed the vestiges of the previous night’s reunions from their eyes, the radio went live and the sun rose on a wonderful St Andrews weekend. With the BBC on hand 28 teams totalling around 200 shinty players from the USA to Italy converged on St Andrews to play 52 matches in a fantastic celebration of shinty in Fife. As captains past and present rubbed the vestiges of last night’s reunions from their eyes, the radio went live and the sun rose on a wonderful St Andrews weekend. With a number of key St Andrews Alumnii men rested ahead of the international, the men’s Alumnii were soundly beaten (5-1) by a St Andrews side bolstered by their new captain, Camanachd Leòdhais player Michael MacDonald. A fierce Ladies Alumnii clash saw Scottish Universities Ladies captain Macavity Savage in fine form, alongside guest Cornwall player Hannah O’Sullivan in her first game north of the border. As the BBC surveyed the immaculate pitches, the international sides warmed up in near perfect conditions. With a strong ESA squad, including London players Matt Casey (ex-Fort William) Malcolm Wink (ex Kingussie), former Scottish Ladies international Joy Elliot-Bowman, selection was extremely competitive. The USA President, Michael Bentley, brought an impressive Californian contingent, via Kingussie for international preparation with David Anderson. The USA side, again featuring Katie Smith (former Scottish Ladies captain), and two St Andrews American students. Relentless finishing from Casey, netting 6 to claim Player of the Match, put the game beyond the Americans (8-0) in what was otherwise a relatively tightly fought contest. With talk of a return ESA tour next year, we can be sure the Americans will be keen to win back the coveted Buckingham Caman. A cracking Cornwall v Caithness clash, for the Natural Retreats Challenge Cup, proved to be an end to end encounter in every sense, with the contest raging right to the whistle. The beautiful pitch, brought a tear to the eye to the Cornish who hadn’t seen grass for more than 5 months – the perfect surface for Cornwall’s fast ground play arguably helping them secure their first Scottish Silverware 3-1, in what is hoped to be the first of many. Aikman’s generously provided match teas for well over 100 players before the singing started and the Beltane fire was lit. Sunday saw 20 teams including 8 from Fife, competing for the Fingal Shield, in 4 leagues. An historic first competitive win for Oxford University, the MacArthur Family team made it to the quarter finals, top seeds Col Glen put out by Caithness as they made the semi-finals 1-0 some of many highlights. London and ESA teams also made it to the quarter finals, though Aberdour 2s and the SCOTS stopped any further southern advance and some wonderful skill by Inverness-shire saw them masterfully win through, defeating the SCOTS in a wonderful display of shinty in the final. Archie Robertson, President of the Camanachd Association, kindly presented the Fingal Shield to the delighted Doneil MacLeod, captain of Inverness-shire and the celebrations got underway with a piped procession to the Céilidh. It was a wonderful weekend with a great mix of families, students and more seasoned shinty players from around the world celebrating the growth of the sport, which would not be possible without the help of so many. To our sponsors Abbott Risk Consulting and Aikman’s and all the team at St Andrews, the players and supporters young and old, thanks for making it such a special weekend. The full St Andrews Sixes Results 2014 will be forthcoming along with some photos. Any enquiries about the 2015 St Andrews Sixes should be directed to Michael MacDonald by e-mail: macdonaldmicheal@hotmail.co.uk I very much look forward to seeing you next year or perhaps on our ESA West Coast tour in July.
Matt Mossop (Baffi) St Andrews Shinty Sixes Senior Convenor 2014 |