Shinty Re-enactment – Badenoch 1 Brae Lochaber 4 | |
21 May 2013 Brae Lochaber came out on top, securing a 4-1 win over Badenoch in their shinty re-enactment match at the Eilan. This 16 a-side re-enactment match revived a number of shinty traditions with a Gaelic call to shinty by primary school pupils, the use of a caman instead of a coin at the start of the match and the presentation of a barrel of whisky to the winning side. The teams wore “uniforms” similar to those worn in the original match in 1889 which ended in a 0-0 draw at Laggan. That meeting was the first game that Badenoch had played against opposition from outside their locality and it preceded the formation of the Camanachd Association by four years. The Badenoch club was only in existence for one year before the formation of the Kingussie and Newtonmore clubs who were to go on to be such major institutions in the game. Brae Lochaber also have a rich tradition and they became Lochaber during the 1950s. The Badenoch team was made up by Kingussie and Newtonmore players with Lochaber players turning out for Brae Lochaber. It was first blood to Brae Lochaber when Stuart Callison fired them in front to make it 1-0. Badenoch lost Ackie MacRae with an arm injury early in the game and Brae Lochaber capitalised on this before the hosts had the chance to reorganise. The visitors’ second goal came from a long Duncan MacKinnon shot from the middle of the park which dipped into the net. Shaun Nicolson was on target to get Brae Lochaber’s third goal of the afternoon to make it 3-0. Badenoch pulled a goal back through veteran Davie Anderson who turned in a fine performance, showing a terrific shinty brain and no small amount of skill. Stuart Matheson made it 4-1 and Brae Lochaber took that advantage into the break. Former Scotland manager Ally Ferguson put in a power of work for Brae Lochaber during the first half, chasing every ball. There were no goals in the second period but Badenoch had the bulk of the possession and the better of the play however their forward line of Michael Ritchie Glen MacKintosh, Davie Anderson and Russell Jones were unable to conjure up any goals. The closest Badenoch came to adding to their tally was when they were awarded a penalty with John Sweeney penalised for handball. However Glen MacKintosh’s spot-hit rose over the bar. Both sets of players provided great entertainment with many finding the uniform, which included flat caps, incredibly warm in what was probably the hottest day of the year so far. Rory Fraser was very good for Badenoch at buckshee back whilst Lachlan Campbell and John Delaney were solid at the back for Brae Lochaber. Many of the spectators in a crowd of around 500 attended in Victorian dress, kilts or tweeds and they were served with complimentary bread, cheese and oatcakes as well as teas and coffees throughout the game. Brae Lochaber captain Michael Delaney was presented with the customary barrel of whisky which was distributed between both sets of players and supporters. John Sloggie and Ronald Kennedy were the match referees. The re-enactment project has been two years in the making and will include a book of shinty in Badenoch and Strathspey 1747–1939 is being launched as well as a CD of shinty, poetry, music and song. You can see pictures form this special event by clicking on the following link BBC News In pictures Victorian shinty game reenacted |