Strachur To Host 2012 AJG Parcels Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final | |
11 April 2012 The 2012 AJG Parcels Glasgow Celtic Society Cup final will be held on Strachur’s new pitch on the shores of Loch Fyne on Saturday 23 June 2012. The final has traditionally been held in Glasgow but a number of factors have forced the directors of the Glasgow Celtic Society to take the occasion beyond the city boundaries to the heartland of south shinty in Argyll. This will be the second successive year that the final of shinty’s oldest competition will be played in Argyll following last year’s final in Inveraray. The Glasgow Celtic Society Cup was introduced in 1879 and it pre-dates the Camanachd Cup by 17 years. It is contested annually between south clubs and has been won a record 29 times by Kyles and 20 by Inveraray. It has been played out-with the city on just three previous occasions, including last year’s clash between Kyles Athletic and Oban Camanachd at Inveraray. The decision to play the match in Strachur was made following the completion of a large-scale project to construct a brand new pitch and pavilion for the use of the community. Glasgow Celtic Society President, Duncan Cameron said, “The Society is very happy to come to Strachur’s first class new facilities for this year’s final. This will be the second time the final has been played in Strachur following the famous 1974 match contested between Kyles Athletic and Inveraray which Inveraray won 4-3. We very much hope for as good a final this time around.” AJG Parcels Operations Director Fraser MacLean said. “We are delighted to sponsor this shinty trophy in an area where we collect and deliver parcels each and every day. AJG Parcels is always keen to support local sport and the company is honoured to sponsor such a prestigious tournament. He added, “On a personal note, the final falls on the same date as my wedding anniversary, so I am hoping for a good final and a great day all round.” The Strachur facilities have been completed after ten years of work by Strachur and District Community Development Company and with the aid of funding from, amongst others, Sportscotland, the Camanachd Association, the National Lottery and Argyll and Bute Council. Community Development Company Chairman Douglas Currie said, “It is really gratifying to see a decade of hard work by the community development company committee coming to fruition. The district now has a venue fit for all regional and national shinty and other sporting finals.” Duncan Cameron concluded, “Strachur is a great venue for this final, and the local club has itself contested many finals over the years. We very much hope and expect that the Strachur and Argyll community will be supportive of this major sporting event.” This year’s AJG Parcels Celtic Society Cup final will be preceded by the MacQuiston U17 Cup Final and a great day of shinty is in prospect at Strachurmore Sports Centre, Strachur. |