[Waspie]

Desert Nomad, on Nov 24 2009, 18:58, said:

So it`s just about done & dusted. After Newtonmore`s victory against Inverary, Kingussie know that anything less than a win will hand More the title. Saw that Kyles refused to travel north to Beauly(?) to face Kingussie, & will thus be docked points. However the game still has to be played, any idea if this will go ahead at Tighnabruaich? With all the rain lately, I can`t see any waterlogged pitch suddenly becoming playable.

Newtonmore have blown it somewhat in recent weeks with their defeat at Kingussie, when a draw would have pretty much secured the title, then managing to only boost their goal difference by 3 in the matches against Lochaber and Inveraray. If Kingussie have to play Kyles at Tighnabruaich they might have it tough but as you say it seems unlikely the park there will be playable anytime soon so it will probably go ahead at a neutral venue. This week's Kyles game is scheduled for Dunoon.
Its all become a bit farcical Im afraid with Kyles not travelling north last week and Inveraray having to play a home match at Kiltarlity. The two games this weekend are crucial at the bottom and have already been switched away from Kyles and Inveraray due to the weather.

[Waspie]

Kingussie are Premier League champions, on goal difference from Newtonmore, after beating Kyles today 5-1. Kingussie thus avoid a first season without a trophy since 1985. At the bottom Bute beat Inveraray today so take the relegation issue to the last game. Bute now need to beat Oban Camanachd next Saturday to save themselves and relegate Lochaber.

[Waspie]

The Camanachd Cup Final goes ahead at the Bught Park this Saturday and it should be quite a game between the oldest rivals in the sport, Kingussie and Newtonmore. Just 3 miles between these towns and they aren't too fond of each other, was a bit of eye opener for me when I first took in this derby match. They haven't played in the final since 1997 and Newtonmore got the biggest hammering in the history of the final that year (12-1) so they will be very determined to get some revenge. They haven't won the cup since 1986 either which is a long time given they are the most succesful team overall in the history of shinty. Kingussie aren't the force they were but they have some good young players coming through and still do well in the big occasions. Rumoured also that Ronald Ross is to retire after this match so that will give Kingussie extra motivation to win the cup for him.

It's always a good day out regardless of who is playing with a good atmosphere guarenteed and I would recommend it even if you don't have any interest in shinty. With these teams playing the atmosphere should be even better this time. Live music at the final this year too and a beer tent as ever . . Live on BBC 2 Scotland for those who can't make it to the game.

[Mackie The Staggie]

Waspie, on 13 September 2011 - 19:14, said:

The Camanachd Cup Final goes ahead at the Bught Park this Saturday and it should be quite a game between the oldest rivals in the sport, Kingussie and Newtonmore. Just 3 miles between these towns and they aren't too fond of each other, was a bit of eye opener for me when I first took in this derby match. They haven't played in the final since 1997 and Newtonmore got the biggest hammering in the history of the final that year (12-1) so they will be very determined to get some revenge. They haven't won the cup since 1986 either which is a long time given they are the most succesful team overall in the history of shinty. Kingussie aren't the force they were but they have some good young players coming through and still do well in the big occasions. Rumoured also that Ronald Ross is to retire after this match so that will give Kingussie extra motivation to win the cup for him.

It's always a good day out regardless of who is playing with a good atmosphere guarenteed and I would recommend it even if you don't have any interest in shinty. With these teams playing the atmosphere should be even better this time. Live music at the final this year too and a beer tent as ever . . Live on BBC 2 Scotland for those who can't make it to the game.

Will be there with the camera...enjoy the odd shinty game tbh, and this is going to be a belter.

[dan_ict]

Have a fair few pals from Kingussie and Newtonmore that play for both teams. Was going to go on Saturday with a few guys from Kingussue but i hate shinty ever since Newtonmore second team won the league. For days all i heard was "mon the more". Going paintballing anyway. If you do go, look out for the boys wearing "Where's Wally" costumes

[Le Tout P'ti FC]

I'm going up. Really looking forward to it. Black isle doing the beer tent, good enoughfor me. Anybody know if hootenanays does lunches? Cheers

[Waspie]

Le Tout P, on 15 September 2011 - 18:46, said:

I'm going up. Really looking forward to it. Black isle doing the beer tent, good enoughfor me. Anybody know if hootenanays does lunches? Cheers

They do Thai food which is decent and very cheap but I'm not sure when they start serving. If they don't do lunches there are plenty of places in town that do.

[RayBees]

Le Tout P, on 15 September 2011 - 18:46, said:

I'm going up. Really looking forward to it. Black isle doing the beer tent, good enoughfor me. Anybody know if hootenanays does lunches? Cheers

Very tempted to go along just for this reason.

[stonedsailor]

Going down to this one, I grew up in Kingussie in the same school year as Ronald Ross and Iain Borthwick. Really looking forward to this match, I don't get to many shinty matches these days but a chance to see us beating the Morac minks in the Scottish cup final does not happen too often these days. Should be a real nostalgia trip.

[Kejan]

Watching it now. Fantastic game and be a keeper you must be mad! No pads or even a helmet.

[Le Tout P'ti FC]

That was a game - i'm a convert!

[airdrieman]

Sadly never managed to watch it but got the a bit of the 2nd half on the radio and it sounded like some game! I've always wanted to go to the cup final. Maybe next year

[stonedsailor]

It was an excellent match, it's just a pity that the minkers won it. Newtonmore look like some team now, changed days from my time in Kingussie when we walked all over everyone. Great day out even though I'm a bit pished.

[Mackie The Staggie]

Great game and enjoyed it thoroughly. I've posted some of my photos of the game below, but more can be viewed from by clicking here

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6.

[Le Tout P'ti FC]

Really fancy taking in a few more games / grounds, probably next season now.
Any tips on which grounds to visit (secenery / hospitality / grub!), or fixtures to take in (must see derbies etc.).
I gather the season runs March onwards - are the fixtures announced in advance, or do they take it week by week like the pathetic junior football organisers?

On another note, how refreshing yesterday to see a huge crowd enjoying a game with a beer in hand, and no segregation or stewarding. Treating the fans as responsible self-policing adults, instead of infantilising them like the football authorities do.

Great day, enjoyed thoroughly by all in our party.

[Waspie]

Le Tout P, on 18 September 2011 - 10:30, said:

Really fancy taking in a few more games / grounds, probably next season now.
Any tips on which grounds to visit (secenery / hospitality / grub!), or fixtures to take in (must see derbies etc.).
I gather the season runs March onwards - are the fixtures announced in advance, or do they take it week by week like the pathetic junior football organisers?

On another note, how refreshing yesterday to see a huge crowd enjoying a game with a beer in hand, and no segregation or stewarding. Treating the fans as responsible self-policing adults, instead of infantilising them like the football authorities do.

Great day, enjoyed thoroughly by all in our party.

Excellent game, there have been so many really good, wll fought shinty finals over the past 5 or 6 years and this was another one. I thought beforehand that Newtonmore would run away with it if they managed to get a couple of goals in front but Kingussie did well to reel them back in from 2-0 and 3-1. They actually looked the more likely to win it before the end of the 90 mins.

Fine strike by Danny MacRae to clinch it in extra time though and winning a major final in that kind of fashion will probably do Newtonmore a power of good after a few years when they were there or thereabouts but didn't always get over the line in the finals. For Kingussie it's going to be tough now if Ronald Ross is indeed retiring as he is so important to them. They do have some really good younger lads there but they could do with a more bit steel in the middle I think. It will probably be more of a battle between Newtonmore and Kyles for the big prizes for the next while.

The season does indeed start in March Le Tout P'ti FC and there is a fixture list, although the weather does tend to cause a fair bit of chaos with it. All the fixture info is on shinty.com. As for must see games the other major finals are good value (MacTavish, Glasgow Celtic Society Cup, MacAulay) and there are some good derbies too, especially if they are in cup competitions or are key league games. The Premier League for this season is still undecided and as things stand looks set to go down to a winner takes all match between Kyles and Newtonmore in Tighnabruaich. That will be a good one if both teams win their games in hand to set it up, as I expect them to do (long as Newtonmore don't on a month long bender after yesterday ).

Great pics Mackie.

This post has been edited by Waspie: 18 September 2011 - 11:29

[Waspie]

Waspie, on 18 September 2011 - 11:29, said:

The Premier League for this season is still undecided and as things stand looks set to go down to a winner takes all match between Kyles and Newtonmore in Tighnabruaich.

This game is scheduled to go ahead this Saturday. It looks more likely to be in Dunoon now as the park in Tighnabruaich has been in a poor state for weeks. Unfortunate for Kyles that they have had to play 'home' games on neutral grounds and if they don't win the league they have reason to feel aggrieved IMO.

If either side wins on Saturday then they win the league. If it's a draw then Newtonmore would stay a point ahead but with all their games played, leaving Kyles with the chance to win the league with a point against Kingussie in their final match next week. I hope Kyles can finish the job having been top for so long and then having to give up home advantage for crucial matches. It would be good for shinty too IMO if the title finally went to a south team. 1.30pm on Saturday at the Dunoon Stadium anyway if anybody fancies it, should be a great game.

One game left at the bottom too this weekend with Oban Camanachd needing to beat Kilmallie by 7 goals to avoid relegation. Looks very unlikely.

This post has been edited by Waspie: 17 November 2011 - 00:09

[tina bonar]

Am heading up to Lochaber for the marathon this wkend and plan to stop at spean bridge for the match v caberfeidh.What can i expect?

[Desert Nomad]

The Camanachd Association have a very good YouTube channel, I'd start by looking there.
Lochaber and Caberfeidh are a rung below the top league, so perhaps not the same skill as the top level. I'm planning on taking in a few games this summer, would particularly like to go to one of the bigger cup finals.

[tina bonar]

2 each at half time and one lad had his head burst open! Great entertainment

[Le Tout P'ti FC]

Well so far this year I've been up to Fort William v Bute and Newtonmore v Kinlochshiel.Tremendous days out.First game played in sun, sleet and rain - with a mountain rescue helicopter circling throughout second half.Second game a glorious sunny day, and a very warm welcome from the locals at the pavilion.
Really enjoying the pace of the game, and a few memorable "robust" tackles have added to the fun!
Definitely heading over to Kyles as soon as I have a free Saturday, and looking forward already to the Big Cup Final at Oban in September.Hoping scotrail will give us a decent offer soon so I can get cheap fares up to Kilmallie and Kingussie.
Anyone thinking of trying it, give it a bash, it really is a better sport to see live.
Also for central belters, there are teams playing in Glasgow and Aberdour which are fairly close to hand. Try it!

[Waspie]

Le Tout P, on 19 April 2012 - 22:41, said:

Well so far this year I've been up to Fort William v Bute and Newtonmore v Kinlochshiel.Tremendous days out.First game played in sun, sleet and rain - with a mountain rescue helicopter circling throughout second half.Second game a glorious sunny day, and a very warm welcome from the locals at the pavilion.
Really enjoying the pace of the game, and a few memorable "robust" tackles have added to the fun!
Definitely heading over to Kyles as soon as I have a free Saturday, and looking forward already to the Big Cup Final at Oban in September.Hoping scotrail will give us a decent offer soon so I can get cheap fares up to Kilmallie and Kingussie.
Anyone thinking of trying it, give it a bash, it really is a better sport to see live.
Also for central belters, there are teams playing in Glasgow and Aberdour which are fairly close to hand. Try it!

Excellent!

I think Inveraray and Kyles tomorrow in the Glasgow Celtic Society Cup should be a cracker. The best two teams in the south and the fixture that many would have expected for the final, had the draw not thrown them together at this stage. Inveraray are past their prime but still very good on their day whereas Kyles are very much the coming team in the south - should be a really good match.

I would recomend the final of this very cup (on June 23rd) too as a potential good day out. The game has been scheduled for Strachur's excellent new pitch so should be a good occasion. The draw worked out in a way also which means one of the smaller sides is going to make the final, and whilst that might mean there is a mis-match it should also make it a really big day for whichever of the wee teams makes it.

[Desert Nomad]

Le Tout P, on 19 April 2012 - 22:41, said:

Well so far this year I've been up to Fort William v Bute and Newtonmore v Kinlochshiel.Tremendous days out.First game played in sun, sleet and rain - with a mountain rescue helicopter circling throughout second half.Second game a glorious sunny day, and a very warm welcome from the locals at the pavilion.
Really enjoying the pace of the game, and a few memorable "robust" tackles have added to the fun!
Definitely heading over to Kyles as soon as I have a free Saturday, and looking forward already to the Big Cup Final at Oban in September.Hoping scotrail will give us a decent offer soon so I can get cheap fares up to Kilmallie and Kingussie.
Anyone thinking of trying it, give it a bash, it really is a better sport to see live.
Also for central belters, there are teams playing in Glasgow and Aberdour which are fairly close to hand. Try it!

Where was the Fort William game? I notice An Aird is getting redeveloped this year, or at least a new pitch. Their MacTavish cup game with Newtonmore is at Invergarry tomorrow, are they nomads this season, just playing wherever they can?

[Waspie]

Desert Nomad, on 20 April 2012 - 21:03, said:

Where was the Fort William game? I notice An Aird is getting redeveloped this year, or at least a new pitch. Their MacTavish cup game with Newtonmore is at Invergarry tomorrow, are they nomads this season, just playing wherever they can?

They are playing at the Black Parks in Fort William this season. It's not the best pitch and is unplayable for tomorrow, so the game was switched to Invergarry.

[Le Tout P'ti FC]

Waspie, on 20 April 2012 - 20:33, said:

I would recomend the final of this very cup (on June 23rd) too as a potential good day out. The game has been scheduled for Strachur's excellent new pitch so should be a good occasion. The draw worked out in a way also which means one of the smaller sides is going to make the final, and whilst that might mean there is a mis-match it should also make it a really big day for whichever of the wee teams makes it.

I will give this a bash! I've been in the Creggans Inn before (quality fish and chips as I recall!) and I remember seeing the shinty pitch somewhere close by - but this was a good few years back now. Do you know where the new pitch is located?

Desert Nomad, on 20 April 2012 - 21:03, said:

Where was the Fort William game? I notice An Aird is getting redeveloped this year, or at least a new pitch. Their MacTavish cup game with Newtonmore is at Invergarry tomorrow, are they nomads this season, just playing wherever they can?

The one I went to was at the Black Parks on Lochiel Road, Inverlochy, as Waspie says. Really basic set-up - just looks like the kind of place you would walk a dog! Huge puddle had formed just off the pitch at the half-way line, and the whole pitch seems to be a bit boggy and bumpy, so no surprise they have lost a few games to postponements so far. It was, however, a cracking setting - with good views to the hills beyond the pitch.

I had heard that An Aird was getting new drainage and a general tart-up with a view to hosting the Camanachd Cup final in the Autumn, but this has since been awarded to Oban so I'm not sure where this leaves Fort William for the rest of the year.

Next up for me looks like weekend of 5th May now - I'm picking a 1st round Camanachd Cup tie. Skye and Strathglass might be a tad too far from Edinburgh for a day trip, and I don't really fancy Glasgow given I've a night out there this weekend anyway, so it leaves me with a choice between Lochaber and Oban. As I've half an eye on the Lochaber v Kingussie Macaulay cup tie, it looks like it will be Oban for me...

CAMANACHD CUP 1st ROUND DRAW (5th MAY):

Glasgow Mid Argyll v Oban Camanachd / Glenorchy

Oban Celtic v Beauly

Skye v Inverness / Caberfeidh

Strathglass v Aberdour

Lochaber v Lochcarron

Kilmory v Taynuilt

This post has been edited by Le Tout P'ti FC: 23 April 2012 - 13:00