Alasdair Morrison Memorial Cup | |
20 October 2022 Skye Camanachd and Lochcarron will once again contest the Alasdair Morrison Memorial Cup at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 22 October 2022. This year’s event was originally scheduled for Saturday 10 September 2022 before being postponed but was postponed following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Skye Camanachd were 4-3 winners when the side met in a thrilling match for the inaugural Alasdair Morrison Memorial Cup at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 16 October 2021. Shinty played a huge part in Ally “Mor” Morrison’s life. His father John Angus Morrison was a former Skye Camanachd player and manager so Ally had a club in his hand from before he could walk. After coming through DR MacDonald’s “academy” as part of a successful Portree High School team, it wasn’t long before, as a youngster, Ally broke into the Skye Camanachd senior ranks. A talented player, he featured for the club at first and second team level, and was a two-time Sutherland Cup winner, until the late 1980s. Ally first came to the fore as a shinty coach whilst coaching youth players at Kyleakin Primary School and indeed throughout South Skye and was named national youth coach of the year. Not only did the Kyleakin school enjoy success on a national level but the number of players from such a relatively small village who went on to play for the Skye Camanachd first team was remarkable. It was a natural transition that Ally would see so many of these promising youngsters progress into the Skye Camanachd second team and it was equally natural that he would become second team manager in 2003 for a three-year stint. However, Ally was always destined to be Skye Camanachd’s first team manager and he took over that role in 2006 for a three-year period, the highlight of which was a Balliemore Cup win in 2008 when the side beat Kilmallie 3-1 in the final at Braeview Park. He was hugely popular amongst the players, and they presented him with an silver-mounted caman when he stepped down. Ally’s commitment to the club continued whether it was cheering the team on from the touchline, buying goal nets or even (very reluctantly) taking the role as goal judge from time to time. Sons Steven and Danny Morrison continued the family tradition, and both are former Skye Camanachd first team captains. Steven is also a former Scottish international and a former recipient of the Mowi National under-21 player of the year accolade. Ally was also good company, making many friends throughout the sport of shinty and was a very knowledgeable enthusiast of the game. He was also a notable footballer with Kyleakin and was always proud to represent or cheer on his local village. Ally passed away very peacefully on the morning of Friday 31 August 2018 after a short illness. Throw up for the Alasdair Morrison Memorial Cup match between Skye Camanachd and Lochcarron is at 1pm and Willie MacDonald is the match referee. The game will also be broadcast live on Radio Skye’s ‘Camanachd LIVE’ show. |