14 November 2008 - The Inverness Courier

University Shinty Enjoys Boom

One of the benefits from the switch to summer shinty has been the increased participation in University shinty. Whilst the club scene slips into winter hibernation, a record number of university teams are playing the sport.

The latest addition is the University for the Highlands and Islands who field a team for the first time this weekend when they travel to face Dundee University.

Team organiser Roddie MacLennan, a former player with Inverness, Glenurquhart and Beauly, is excited at being involved with the UHI team from the start. “The final decision to go ahead with the team was taken 6 weeks ago and since then we have been pretty busy putting the fundamentals in place.” MacLennan is confident adding, “We have real potential, more than perhaps other Universities in Scotland and in addition to being able to draw on full-time students participating in academic studies, we are able to tap into block release students, as well as youngsters being trained as part of a craft apprentice scheme.”

The players fitting into the UHI squad are interesting indeed. Kinlochshiel’s Scotland U21 international Keith MacRae is joined by Newtonmore’s Evan Menzies and Andrew MacKintosh, as well as Lovat first team regulars James MacPherson, Jamie Matheson and Daniel Grieve along with keeper Stuart MacDonald.

Beauly will be represented by Dougie Blaine, Conor Cormack and David MacLean as well as Conor Ross, Martin MacFadyen and Ross Forbes. It’s easy to agree with MacLennan’s assessment that this side would easily hold their own in Marine Harvest North Division 1.

MacLennan is also examining the possibility of recruiting Fort William’s Adam Robertson, who is a lecturer at Lochaber College.       

The team is sponsored by MacGregor Industrial Supplies and an all back strip has been selected to avoid any accusation of favouritism to any particular shinty club.

Any players interested in joining the UHI ranks can contact Roddy 0771 475 0307.Full time and part time students, as well as staff are eligible to play.  

13 November 2008 – The Oban Times

Fort William Hails Youth Shinty Stars

A Civic reception was held at the Council Chambers, Fort William last week to honour the shinty efforts of Fort William Shinty Club which this year celebrated it’s largest haul of trophies in one season. Had Fort William won te Sutherland Cup this season, the club would have achieved the unique feat of winning all senior cup competitions between its four teams.

Fort William Youth Coach Jock Sneddon was presented with a Quaich for his services to youth shinty and he said “There is a great feeling among the club members just now and you can see it in the young players that are picking up a caman and starting to play the game. At our youth training night we have tripled our numbers and there are children that will be asking Santa for a shinty stick this Christmas. Mr Sneddon praised the youth coaching structure at the club, saying other clubs were playing catch up. 

13 November 2008 - The Press & Journal

Shinty Star Back On The Team - Aged 77

Fort William have come up with a novel way of celebrating their MacAulay Cup Final team which narrowly lost to Kyles Athletic in 1956. Seventy Seven year old Bobby MacLeod, a stalwart of the Fort William side of the 50s, is set to make his return as a substitute for the Fort second team against Newtonmore in their on Saturday.

Also to mark the occasion, the Clubhouse at An Aird will serve drinks at 1956 prices for 15 minutes after the final whistle.

Mr MacLeod, a retired slater, said “I’ll play down the after-match hero worship in the Clubhouse as I’ll be too busy concentrating on a quick half and a pint at 1956 prices.”

The idea to reintroduce the grandfather came at a civic reception to mark the Fort’s 2008 Camanachd Cup success and their youth team’s success. The following day they played several of their younger players in the second team clash with Glengarry but suffered their first league defeat of the season. The idea is that Bobby will add a bit of experience to the young side.   

Press & Journal Comment - There is an adage about only being as old as you feel, but for Bobby MacLeod that might be considerably more than his 77 years after playing in a shinty match this weekend.

He is coming out of retirement to help Fort William create a team with the perfect blend of young and old.

Bobby was a member of the 1956 cup-winning side and as a mark of respect the bar prices will be as they were that year.

Watch out for more Fort signings as the original plan to play Bobby was hatched at a civic reception at which the drink was, in all probability, flowing as fast as it will be on Saturday.

10 November 2008 - The Press & Journal

Newtonmore Manager Calls For Facilities Improvements

Newtonmore manager Norman MacArthur has called for the Camanachd Association to introduce minimum pitches and facilities criteria for sides playing in the Marine Harvest Premier League.

In todays Press & Journal, MacArthur cites newly promoted Glenorchy as an example of a club with poor facilities. Also his Newtonmore side played a double header against Inveraray at the Eilan on Saturday because of the state of the south side's Winterton pitch following the recent Connect music festival.

MacArthur's comments follow remarks made by Camanachd Association President Duncan Cameron suggesting that artificial pitches are the way forward for shinty clubs.

Read the article in full at  http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/929713