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Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final ………….. TODAY!! | |
14 September 2013 The Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final between Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore takes place at An Aird on Saturday 14 September 2013. The Camanachd Cup was traditionally contested on a North / South basis, with the winners from the North section facing the winners from the South in the final, until 1983 when the draw was made open. Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore regularly faced eachother in the final prior to the introduction of the open draw and contested every final between 1975 and 1980. However, remarkably given both teams’ Camanachd Cup tradition, they have not met in the final since. The 1980 Camanachd Cup Final was another all-time classic which is still spoken about today ……… especially in Tighnabruaich.
Saturday 7 June 1980 Camanachd Cup Final Kyles Athletic 6 Newtonmore 5 The last of six consecutive Camanachd Cup Final meetings between Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore took place on a bright, sunny day at the Dell, Kingussie although the cloud and rain that had occupied the days in the lead up to the clash was to return before the end of the game. The pre-match entertainment included a Police Dog Handling Demonstration, a Tug-o-War Contest and a Hand Gliding Display before the Babcock & Renfrew Pipe Band, one of the six top Grade 1 bands in Scotland, led the teams out onto the field to be introduced to Camanachd Association President Donald Skinner and Camanachd Association Chieftain Donald MacRae. There was full match commentary of what was the 73rd Camanachd Cup Final on Radio Scotland from 2.55pm. Jock Brown was the match commentator whilst John Willie Campbell and GY Slater were the match summarisers. Kyles Athletic’s route to the final saw them beat Bute 3-2, Glasgow Mid Argyll 5-1 and Oban Camanachd 5-0 in the last four of the competition. Newtonmore overcame Kinlochshiel 6-2 (in a replay after a 2-2 draw), Glenurquhart 6-4 and Kingussie 5-1 (in a replay after an incredible 6-6 draw) in the semi finals. The attendance at the Dell, Kingussie was a little disappointing but those who stayed away from this 3pm throw up would regret their decision as the sides produced an eleven goal thriller. Kyles Athletic were dealt a blow ahead of the game when a broken shoulder ruled out Ian MacBride so 21 year old Keith Sim started in his place. Newtonmore gave a first Camanachd Cup Final appearance to 18 year old Ricky Ross at wing centre. It was first blood to Kyles as Duncan MacVicar found Neil Blair and he sent a 20 yard drive past Hugh Chisholm into the roof of the net to make it 1-0 with only 9 minutes played. Kyles had the ball in the net again moments later but John Henderson, refereeing his first Camanachd Cup Final, ruled the effort out for offside. Newtonmore equalised against the run of play through 36 year old Ken Smith who captained the side. Controversy followed as Robert Baxter put Kyles 2-1 ahead with Newtonmore claiming that the ball had entered the goal through the side-netting. However Newtonmore made it 2-2 almost straight from the throw up, although this time Kyles claimed George Fraser’s shot had entered the net through the side netting. The sides continued to trade goals as Russell Thorburn put Kyles 3-2 ahead and they took this advantage into the break. A quick-fire double on 51 and 53 minutes left Kyles in control. First Duncan MacVicar made it 4-2 and then Russell Thorburn got his second goal of the afternoon to give Kyles a commanding 5-2 lead. However these games are nothing if not predictable and Newtonmore moved John Fraser to full centre in place of David Ritchie and this gave them more impetus in the middle of the park. Kyles suffered a blow when 16 year old Andrew Irvine had to leave the field with a broken finger and captain Peter Turner came on in his place. Newtonmore took full advantage and they scored three times in a devastating 5 minute spell as George Fraser on 69 minutes, Ken Smith’s second goal of the afternoon on 71 minutes and David Ritchie on 73 minutes tied the game at 5-5. However Kyles regained the lead on 77 minutes after superb lead up play from Russell Thorburn and Duncan MacVicar set up a chance for Neil Blair and he hammered the ball home to make it 6-5. Kyles took on 16 year old Dan MacRae in place of the injured Robert Baxter for the latter stages and Newtonmore replaced Ricky Ross with Willie Menzies. This time Kyles kept their noses in front and veteran George Nicolson is due a mention for his contribution to the victory and he was deservedly awarded the Albert Smith medal as man of the match. Kyles Athletic captain Peter Turner was presented with the Camanachd Cup, and silver mounted caman (donated by Wm Munro, Dunoon), by Camanachd Association Chieftain Mr Donald MacRae, who also presented the medals to both sets of players, including a winners medal to his 16 year old grandson Dan MacRae. Young Dan MacRae’s Camanachd Cup winners medal was secured in his first year as a senior player. His father Alasdair MacRae recorded the same achievement when Kyles Athletic beat Kilmallie 4-1 in Oban in 1956. What is even more remarkable is that Dan’s grandfather, and Camanachd Association Chieftain, Donald MacRae also won a Camanachd Cup winners medal in his first senior season, back in 1924, when Kyles beat Kingussie 2-1 in a replayed final. This is a truly unique treble by any standard. Kyles Athletic from: Billy Paterson, Scott Turner, Colin MacColl, Ronnie Irvine, George Nicolson, Keith Sim, Kerr Crawford, Robert Baxter, Russell Thorburn, Duncan MacVicar, Andrew Irvine, Neil Blair, subs Peter Turner (captain), Dan MacRae, Duncan MacNeil Newtonmore from: Hugh Chisholm, Donnie MacGregor, Norman MacArthur, Angus MacRae, John MacKenzie, Ricky Ross, David Ritchie, John Russell, George Fraser, John Fraser, Ken MacKintosh, Ken Smith (captain), subs Willie Menzies, Sandy Campbell Match Referee – John Henderson, Caol Goal Judges – John Gordon, Struay & Ron Mullican, Kiltarlity
Event Details The 2013 Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final is a much anticipated clash and expectations have been raised higher following the sides’ meeting in the recent Artemis Macaulay Cup Final which Kyles Athletic won 4-3. Throw up is at 2.15pm and the whole match will be broadcast live on BBC 2 Scotland. Innes Wood is the match referee and he will be assisted by goal judges George MacKay and Willie Cameron. Ted MacDonald will be the fourth official whilst Archie Ritchie, Alex MacVicar Calum Girvan and John MacGregor will be the linesmen. As well as the main match there are also two national U14 shinty finals taking place earlier in the day. Skye Camanachd and Oban Camanachd contest the prestigious MacMaster Cup Final whilst Lochcarron and Milngavie & Bearsden meet in the Development Trophy Final. Other features include live music performances, trade stalls including the Shinty Shop, a range of local food and drink to enjoy and the Big Screen will be pitchside should you miss any of the action. Tickets are now on sale: both online and by telephone via Ticketmaster. They are priced at £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and under 12s go free if accompanied by an adult. There are also a number of offers available: if you purchase your ticket in advance from Ticketmaster, either online or over the phone, you will receive a free match programme on the day. To buy your ticket visit Ticketmaster or call 0844 844 0444. Additionally, if you attend the BLAS Festival Show "CURAIDHEAN NA CAMANACHD - Shinty's Heroes" which takes place in the Nevis Centre, Fort William on Friday 13 September 2013, you will receive a 20% discount on your Cup Final ticket. Camanachd Association members also receive 20% discount on their tickets if they produce their membership card although both 20% offers cannot be claimed on the same ticket. |