Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final …………. 1 Day To Go! | |
26 July 2013 The Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup Final between Ballachulish and Lochcarron takes place at Smith Park, Farr on Saturday 27 July 2013. Ballachulish did not have a scheduled fixture last weekend but they arranged a couple of friendly matches which saw their senior side record and impressive 2-1 win over Glenorchy at Mart Park with Michael Slezas and Duncan MacDonald getting the goals. The Balla’ development team lost 6-2 to a more experienced Kincraig side. Ballachulish have an injury concern over captain Alan Clark who, despite fracturing his collar-bone in the semi-final victory over Lovat, went on to grab a hat-trick in the 4-3 extra time win. Lorne Browne was also injured in that game. Ballachulish have appeared in six Sutherland Cup Finals. They first appeared in the final in 1949 when they beat Saturday’s opponents Lochcarron 3-2 in Inverness. Lochaber beat Ballachulish 3-1 in the 1965 final in Fort William. Ballachulish and Lochcarron met in Inverness once again in 1968 when Lochcarron ran out 2-1 winners. A year later, Ballachulish were off to Dalmally where they lost 5-3 to Inveraray. There was a third meeting between Ballachulish and Lochcarron in the 1970 final at Spean Bridge and this time Lochcarron took the honours with a 4-2 victory. Ballachulish were back in the final a year later when they beat Skye Camanachd 2-0 in Inverness, Ballachulish showed a remarkable level of consistency, appearing in five out of seven finals between 1965 and 1971, winning the trophy on two occasions.
Lochcarron were not in action last weekend as they held their annual gala day. They were short of numbers when they lost 6-5 to Marine Harvest league leaders Lochaber in their last outing a fortnight ago. However David MacCuish, Andrew Slaughter and Gregor Cushnie were unavailable that day and they should return to their starting line up for the final. Sean MacCuish also missed the Lochaber game and is an injury doubt for the final but he will be given every chance to prove his fitness. One of the most interesting features of the final will be the contest is the middle of the park between Lochcarron’s Andrew Slaughter and John MacDonald of Ballachulish. Lochcarron first appeared in the Sutherland Cup Final in 1939 when they beat Kilmallie 5-4 at Newtonmore. Lochcarron were back in the final ten years later in 1949 (the cup wasn’t played for through the war years of 1940-1946) when they lost 3-2 to Ballachulish in Inverness. Lochcarron beat Strachur 1-0 in the 1955 final in Fort William. Lochcarron enjoyed successive wins in 1967 and 1968 when they beat Inveraray 4-2 in Fort William and Ballachulish 2-1 in Inverness. Lochcarron beat Ballachulish 4-2 in the 1970 final at Spean Bridge. Lochcarron have also made six previous appearances in the final and they have a high success rate, winning on five occasions.
Throw-up is 4.05pm and John Angus Gillies is the match referee. Match tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and Under 12s go free! Camanachd Association members receive 20% discount on tickets; just show your membership card at the gate. The match will also be shown live on BBC ALBA. Hugh Dan MacLennan is the match commentator and coverage starts from 4pm. |