Caithness and Sutherland are set for the third Kenny “Nostie” MacLeod Memorial Cup meeting which will take place at Viewfirth Park, Thurso on Saturday 4 October 2014.
Kenny “Nostie” MacLeod, as he was affectionately known, played shinty for Kinlochshiel, Lochcarron and Aberdeen University.
He established Thurso Junior Shinty Club in 2006 and he was a co-founder of Navar Athletic Shinty Club a couple of years later. This move brought senior shinty to Caithness for the first time since the Dounreay team of the 1960s.
Many will recall the 2010 Mod Cup match when Kenny captained Caithness to victory over and Sutherland at Bignold Park, Wick. Kenny was presented with the famous trophy by his good friend, then MSP John Farquhar Munro.
Kenny was minister at Thurso Free Church and also took midweek sessions at Helmsdale. He passed away in April 2012, aged just 52.
It is fitting that Kenny is remembered in this way as shinty was a great passion of his.
Caithness and Sutherland have one win each in this annual event.
The Sutherland team will consist of past and present players from the two shinty teams in the county - Kinlochbervie Camanachd and Farr High School (Bettyhill) - and will be coached by Kinlochbervie’s Duncan Clark.
The Caithness side, coached by Alan MacDonald, will have a strong family connection with Kenny’s daughter and son, Isobel and Alexander, and niece Katy Booth from Aberdour all playing. There will also be a representation from Kenny’s own playing days with Stewart MacRae, formerly of Kinlochshiel and now Inverness, returning to bolster the Caithness ranks.
The organising committee is building on the success of the fixture to date. Entertainment will be provided by the Thurso Junior Pipe Band and a refreshments tent will be run by the local scout group.
The organisers have also announced that Calum MacDonald of Runrig will be patron of the event. Musical commitments will likely mean that Calum will be unable to attend but in the event of his diary being free on the day, he will be the special guest on the sidelines of the pitch.
Admission to the game is free but donations can be made to the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Care Centre
The match will throw up at 2pm.