A date for the diaries – Friday 14th November, Talla Nan Ros;
7.00pm – Kingussie Camanachd Club AGM
9.00pm – John Robertson’s new book to celebrate 125 years of Kingussie Camanachd Club entitled ‘The Boys of the Dell’ will be launched.
The author and the 2014 Camanachd Cup winning squad will be on hand to sign copies of the book and DVD’s of the final.

License and music until 1.00am.

‘You can’t win anything with kid’s’ is a statement that will haunt a certain retired football pundit for the rest of his days. The irony is of course the team he was talking about didn’t win anything with kids alone but a mixture of very talented kids and very good seasoned players.
Kingussie won the Camanachd Cup in Inverness on Saturday with the same potent mix and the celebrations over the last few days show just how much it means to the whole community. The welcome home for the team at The Cross on Saturday night was overwhelming and the players who got off that bus, whether 16 or 40 years old, had a tear in their eye as they held the famous trophy aloft and Kingussie’s own John Dallas, the figure on top of the cup, returned home for the 23^rd time since 1896.
The early exchanges at The Bught were fairly even but as the first half wore on Kingussie looked more likely to break the deadlock and Savio Genini was first to threaten, flashing a shot across goals from a smartly taken free hit move. That proved to be a sighter for the gamekeeper and in 21 minutes Savio ran on to a perfectly weighted pass from Ronald and showed tremendous composure to take a touch in front of Glen goalie Macintosh and despatch it behind him.

The second was set up by Fraser Munro and Thomas Borthwick but the finish was all about Ronald as he rode tackles and wild swings from Glenurquhart defenders to fire home from the edge of the box.
The expected second half onslaught from Glen didn’t materialise and Kingussie were beginning to look comfortable. The aforementioned experienced players of John Gibson and Garry Munro were controlling the midfield and the powerful defence of James Hutchison, Barrie Dallas, Lee Bain and Louis Munro were mopping up anything Glen could throw at them. On the odd occasion they did get through Craig Dawson was more than equal to the task.
Then in 68 minutes the kids really did have their moment as our under 17s team forward line combined to score a stunning goal. 16 year old James Falconer, who had replaced Rory McGregor minutes earlier, weaved his way past three Glen defenders before unleashing a backhand drive from the edge of the box. Macintosh made an instinctive save with his hand but the ball fell to 17 year old Savio who smashed it home. Game over.
The final 20 minutes of the match were fairly comfortable as Glen looked a beaten team and Kingussie continued to use the wide open spaces of the Bught to great effect. 21 year old Thomas Borthwick had an outstanding match at centre forward and did everything but score, forcing some great saves from Macintosh.
Ronald slotted home number four from another well worked free hit and it was all over bar the shouting, although there was plenty of that as captain James Maclean received the trophy from Scottish Hydro’s Sarah Niblock and Ronald received The Albert Smith medal for a record fourth time.
The celebrations had begun and would run on for three days and nights as memories of near misses and painful defeats over the last few years were replaced with a feeling of optimism for the future. This was reinforced on Sunday when our u14s team joined the celebrations at The Silverfjord Hotel after winning the Donnie Maclean 6’s at Spean Bridge against some very strong opposition and doing so in some style only conceding one goal in the competition. Several 1^st team players visited the weekly Primary School training session on Monday evening and the 25 plus children enjoyed getting their picture taken with the Camanachd Cup winners and with the trophy itself. On Tuesday John Gibson and James Maclean, 2006 and 2014 winning captains, visited Kingussie and Alvie Primary schools with the cup, their medals and the captain’s silver mounted caman.
Thanks are due to Kingussie Camanachd Club’s main sponsors RWE Innogy UK for their support over the last few years, Gilmour Sports for providing the cup final strips and polo shirts for all the players, The Silverfjord Hotel, The Duke of Gordon Hotel, all pitch side advertising board holders, Pitmain Estate, Michael Clark for providing the best playing surface in the sport that the boys can train on every week, all committee members who work extremely hard for the club and all coaches from 1^st team to Primary school level. Apologies to anyone else who I may have missed out, Kingussie Camanachd Club would not be where it is without the support of the whole community.

Finally to the 1914 team – I hope you could look down on Saturday’s performance from somewhere boys, the class of 2014 did you proud.

COYBOTD.

Kingussie  Under 14s Win Sixes.

Kingussie’s winning week end continued on Sunday when the Under 14 team travelled to Spean Bridge for the Donnie MacLean Memorial Sixes. 11 teams took part with Kingussie winning all their group games scoring 11 goals with the loss of 1 playing some great shinty.They met Kinlochshiel in the semi final with a convincing 3 -0 victory while Fort William defeated Kilmallie in the other semi.The final against Fort William was an all action game with 2 goals from Ruaridh Anderson and some fine saves by Robert Shields giving Kingussie a well deserved 2-0 victory.The Chairman of Lochaber Shinty Club made the presentations and Captain Somharlie Fraser lifted the trophy for Kingussie.

The team

Back L-R Iain Borthwick ( coach) Andrew Kennedy,Kieran Macpherson,Dylan Borthwick,Robert Shields, Dallas Young ( coach)

Front L-R Liam Borthwick, Somharlie Fraser,Ruaridh Anderson, Alexander Michie.

Report to follow

Well done lads.

Kingussie Camanachd Club are proud to be contesting the 2014 Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final against Glenurquhart Shinty Club. The matches between the teams in recent times have been very close and results could have gone either way, we expect today to be no different.

The Kingussie players today will be wearing commemorative strips in honour of our 1914 Camanachd Cup winning team. Thirteen players were involved in that Camanachd Cup victory a century ago and some didn’t ever play Shinty again. World War 1 began a few months later and by the end of that terrible conflict six of the team were dead, two had been shot and wounded and one had been badly gassed. In a tribute to these men each Kingussie player will wear the name of a 1914 player on their jersey today.

The Kingussie squad today is a mixture of youth and experience and all have worked very hard all season and seen off some stiff competition to get to this stage of the competition.

We look forward to a great final and may the best team win.

Please some time reading the posts below in honour of the fallen.

Russell Jones

President

Kingussie Camanachd Club

Craig Dawson (Aged 31) Greenkeeper – Now in his second season as the club’s goalkeeper after playing outfield for most of his career. Dawsie’s confidence and form have steadily improved this year. Made four penalty saves in the semi-final shoot out including the winning stop. Massive goal hits are a feature of his game and a huge benefit to the team. Craig is very particular about his diet. 1 Camanachd Cup winner’s medal.

James Hutchison (35) Greenkeeper – One of THE main reasons Kingussie are in the 2014 Camanachd Cup Final. Hutch has been the outstanding performer in the Kingussie team over the past couple of seasons since moving to full back. Respected by all, his playing and organisational skills are second to none. James always likes to look his best and is known as ‘chocolate’ to his mates. 8 Camanachd Cup winner’s medals.

Barrie Dallas (38) Electrician – Barrie is enjoying an Indian summer in his career since moving to defence and forming a formidable partnership with Hutch. They have both scored in previous Camanachd Cup Final wins and use all their experience to close down opposition forwards. A good reader of the game Barrie is strong in the tackle and he has consistently performed well this season. Unfortunately Bar still mistakenly believes he should be played up front. 2 Camanachd Cup winner’s medals.

Lee Bain (26) Gamekeeper – Played a lot of the season in the forward line but now back in his more familiar role in defence. A fit and on form Lee Bain is unquestionably one of the top defenders in Shinty. He allies superbly timed tackles to long clearances and is capable of matching up to the best forwards in the sport. The former Strathglass player will not be short of support against today’s opposition. Lee has a love/hate relationship with training – he loves to hate it.

Louis Munro (26) P.E. Teacher – Superb stick player who has played in every position except goals for Kingussie. Louis has been very unlucky with injuries over recent years but he has played a lot of matches this season and the team’s run to the Final has been no coincidence. Probably holds the record for Littlejohn Vase appearances after his many years at Uni, he is at last contributing to the economy as a P.E teacher in Stranraer.

Garry Munro (35) Machine Operator – Another very experienced player Garry has flitted between midfield and defence during his career. Strong tackling and long hitting are his hallmarks and he gives his all for the cause every time he pulls on the Red and Blue jersey. He has wisely adopted a helmet and faceguard recently after going through more teeth than one of his digger buckets in the last couple of years. 5 Camanachd Cup winner’s medals.

John Gibson (39) Electrical Wholesalers Manager – The last Kingussie captain to lift the Camanachd Cup in 2006. John’s combination of strength and power allied to great stick skills at full centre has provided a lynchpin for the team to play around this season. His return to 1^st team action has been welcomed by the management and fellow players alike. Away from Shinty Gibby’s hobbies include skiing, cycling and tending the garden at his Kincraig mansion. 6 Camanachd Cup winner’s medals.

Fraser Munro (26) Machine Operator – Fraser’s all action style and direct running can upset opposition defences whether he is breaking from midfield or operating up front as he has done for much of this season. He scored a great goal in the 2011 final at The Bught and will be looking to repeat the feat today. Fraser has always looked up to his older brother Garry for advice on everything from shinty skills to fashion.

Thomas Borthwick (20) Electrician – Thomas has played a lot of matches for his young years and scored in the 2010 Camanachd final when just 16 years old. A skilful forward, ‘Tuck’ can go past defenders and set up opportunities for others as well as scoring some spectacular goals. Thomas gets tremendous encouragement and support from his employer Binnie Electrical Newtonmore, a keen sponsor of Kingussie Camanachd Club.

Savio Genini (17) Apprentice Gamekeeper – Whilst enjoying his first full season in the 1^st team Savio is also captain of the club’s u17 team. A forward in the traditional Kingussie style he can dribble at speed, pass and move and hit it extremely hard off both sides. He has scored some important goals this year. He also combines well with his work mate Lee Bain to wind up the team management regularly.

Ronald Ross (39) National Shinty Development Officer – Quite probably the greatest Shinty player the sport has ever seen Ronald has done it all in an amazing career. Scored over 1000 goals in senior shinty, captained a Grand Slam winning team, awarded the MBE in 2011, has won numerous international caps and was appointed Scotland manager this year. Incredibly he has even managed to do what Cher couldn’t and ‘turn back time’ – as every year he is asked his age it seems to be less than the previous year. 11 Camanachd Cup winner’s medals.

Rory McGregor (18) Apprentice Plumber – Known as Bob he is one of the best stick players in the squad. Capable of moments of great skill he has scored some good goals over the last couple of seasons. He has played a lot of this season in midfield where his long shies have been a feature of his play but he can contribute in the forward line as well. It is fair to say Bob would not be the person to speak to for food and nutrition advice.

James Maclean (38) SSE Marketing Team – The 2014 club captain has enjoyed a long career with both Kingussie and Tayforth where he played during his student days. James has captained the team with pride this year and has produced some great performances in the middle of the park at full or wing centre. He has been nicknamed Arnie since his school days due to his Schwarzenegger like physique – proof that irony was alive and well in Kingussie High School in the early 1990’s. 1 Camanachd Cup winner’s medal.

Darren Hanlan (20) Builders labourer – Darren is one of the most committed and focused players in the Kingussie squad. He has played a lot of games this season at either wing back or wing centre and can always be relied upon to do the job he is asked to for the team. He has combined playing with assisting the u14 coaches this season, although as he works for one of them he perhaps has little say in this arrangement.

Ryan MacWilliam (18) Apprentice Mechanic – Another young player who has made the break through to 1^st team shinty this season. His season was cut short last year due to a serious hand injury but he has fought back well and has played a big part in this season’s Camanachd Cup run. Can be regularly spotted in the Vault Nightclub in Aviemore where he appears to have a residency.

Rory Mackeachan (17) School Student – Rory has been really unfortunate with injuries over the last two seasons but appears to be putting them behind him now and will be pushing for a regular starting position soon. A sixth year student at Kingussie High School he plays for the club’s u17’s, has a fantastic turn of pace and is strong in the tackle.

James Falconer (16) School Student – A 5^th year student at Kingussie High School James is an exciting prospect in the forward line. He captained the Kingussie Primary School Mackay Cup winning team in 2010 and made his 1^st team debut this season. His only problem is getting his helmet on over his gelled hair.

Robert Mabon (17) Pitmain Estate worker – Robert plays in defence for the u17’s and the 2^nd team and has a big physical presence for his age. He possesses nice stick work and that has enabled him to fit in to the 1^st team forward line on occasion this season. Another player who will be pushing for a starting role before long.

Calum Grant (16) School student – A 5^th year student at Kingussie High School Calum is a powerful defender or midfielder for the club’s u17 and 2^nd team. He captained last year’s successful u14 team. Son of former full centre Ewan and following in his footsteps.

Co – manager. Davie Anderson, Signal Section Manager Network Rail – Davie was one of Shinty’s most respected and famous players who was the on field driving force behind Kingussie’s success for 20 years. He has carried that same energy, will to win and enthusiasm in to coaching and management. While he can still show a turn of speed around the training pitch unfortunately he suffers a distinct lack of pace approaching the bar (when it’s his round).

Co – manager. Russell Jones, Shinty Development Officer – After a playing career representing the club at every level Russell’s coaching career with the club began in 2010. The combination of Davie and Russell is a good partnership despite them always arguing about which of them is the smallest manager in shinty, they often debate the matter going to games in the minibus where they carry a booster seat so that whichever one of them is driving can see over the steering wheel.

Fitness Coach – Neil Bowman, Lecturer at U.H.I. – Neil has been a key member of the Kingussie set up for many years through successive management structures and his dedication and professionalism has been appreciated by players and coaches alike throughout the years. A happy go lucky chap he is always ready with a smile and a joke and often has the players in stitches with his quick fire banter.

Kingussie Camanachd Club will contest the 2014 Camanachd Cup Final against Glenurquhart Shinty Club at The Bught Park Inverness on September 13^th 2014. This will be a very special match in the club’s history. 100 years ago Kingussie travelled to Possil Park, Glasgow to play against Kyles Athletic in the 1914 Camanachd Cup Final. Kingussie won 6-1 but the match turned out to be the last some players ever played. Four months later WW1 began and of the thirteen Kingussie players involved in the Camanachd Cup win 6 died, 2 were shot and wounded and 1 was gassed during the conflict. Each of the 2014 players will wear a commemorative poppy logo and the name of a 1914 player on their shirt during this year’s final.

Here is the story of the 1914 team.

1.  Angus MacKintosh     Goalkeeper. ‘Tosher’ as he was known was a teenager in the 1914 final. He was badly gassed twice during the war while serving with the Artillery. Following the war he worked in Inverness as a mechanic but suffered from poor health in his later years. He also played in the Camanachd Cup winning team of 1921.

2.  Alick Tolmie  Killed in action at Battle of Scarpe 10.4.1917 aged 23. Employed in the British Linen Bank in Kingussie. Pte in Lovat Scouts then in Cameron Highlanders. He is buried in Orange Trench Cemetery at Monchy-le-Peux, Pas de Calais.3.  Alistair Dallas    He served as an Army PT instructor during the war and remained in Kingussie for a few years following the war. He also played in the Camanachd Cup winning team of 1921 and then emigrated to Calgary in Canada in 1926.

4.  Lewis Macpherson  Gamekeeper on Glentromie Estate. In March 1916 he enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery and was sent to Ireland for training. He contracted a serious illness and his condition steadily deteriorated and he died in July. The family requested he be taken back to Badenoch for burial, but the request was denied and he was buried at Queenstown (now Cobh) in Ireland.
5.  John MacKintosh  Was a defender and brother of the team’s goalkeeper Tosher. On his return from the war he moved to Elgin where he became a bank manager. Known as John ‘coiny’ due to his work in the bank. He retired back to Kingussie in later life and lived in Brackenbrae, Gynack Street.
6. Ewan Ormiston  Served in both the Cameron Highlanders and the Lovat Scouts and survived wartime injuries including being shot in the mouth. Following the war was a stalker on Gaick Estate and ran a Butcher’s business before owning the Balavil Hotel in Newtonmore. He also played in the Camanachd Cup winning team of 1921. President of Camanachd Association 1954 – 1957.

7. William MacGillivray, team captain  Killed in action at Festubert 18.5.1915.  Was employed in family business in Kingussie.  Pte in Cameron Highlanders. His parents built the Royal Hotel in Kingussie during the 1880s.
8. William MacPherson  Served in 4^th Camerons. Worked as a tailor in Kingussie High Street. He also played in, and captained, the Camanachd Cup winning team of 1921.
9. Thomas MacPherson    Following the war he was employed by the Inverness Courier. He also played in the Camanachd Cup winning team of 1921. Brother of number 13 John Macpherson.

10.  John G Macpherson  Killed in action at Battle of Arras  29.5.1917.  Before the war he was employed in family business running a sports shop in Kingussie High Street. L/Corporal Gordon Highlanders.
11.  Malcolm McIntosh  Killed in action at Flanders on 14.8.1917 Employed in family business in Kingussie High Street.  Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery.
12.  Findlay MacLean   Shot and wounded. Following the war he was a farmer at Gordon Hall, Kingussie. He also played in the Camanachd Cup winning team of 1921.
13. John Macpherson   Missed 1914 Final through injury -   Wounded in action at Festubert on 17.5.1915. Lay in ‘no man’s land’ for over a day before being rescued but died in hospital from wounds on 27.5.1915. Before the war he was employed as a joiner with Frasers in Kingussie. Pte Cameron Highlanders. His name is on the Laggan War Memorial. Brother Thomas survived the war.

Above is a picture of the Kingussie team taken minutes before the start of the 1914 Camanachd Cup Final at Possil Park in Glasgow which Kingussie won 6 – 1 against Kyles. The players and supporters left Kingussie by train at 6.00am on the morning of Saturday 4^th April to travel to the match. Nobody realised at the time that it would turn out to be the last competitive match Kingussie would play for many years and many of the players would never play Shinty again.

Exactly four months later on the 4^th of August the HQ of the Scottish Command in Edinburgh received a telegram from the British Government which simply read ‘mobilise’. Britain had declared war on Germany.

By the end of the war in 1918 six of the players pictured above would be dead, two had been shot and wounded and one had been badly gassed. In all, the town of Kingussie had lost 60 men. Although some returned home and played Shinty again, and indeed won the Camanachd Cup again in 1921, a whole generation had been lost and the effects of the carnage caused by The Great War would be felt for decades.

If we take a moment to look at War Memorials in all Shinty communities they tell this story over and over again and the tribute on the Kingussie player’s shirts today honours all Shinty players who gave their lives. On the turf as under the turf – all men are equal.

Crack before the 1914 final.

Lest we forget.

The under 14s have had a very successful start to their season. They opened their League campaign with an away fixture at The Eilan where they had an impressive 18 – 0 victory. For the return game at the Dell  5 of the “senior” players were unavailable due to the Kingussie High School London Trip this meant an opportunity for some of the younger and newer squad players to get experience. Again the team produced an excellent performance coming away with and 8 – 1 victory.

Our other league fixture was against Beauly which has proved to be a tough game in the past. We played well to comfortably win both games.

The first phase of the league completed with 49 goals for with the loss of only 1. We now progress to Division 1 Phase 2 where we will meet Fort William, Skye and Caberfeidh. These will be challenging fixtures and the team will need to recapture their early season good form to continue their unbeaten run.

Our Macmaster Cup campaign started with a buy and then we had a difficult away draw against Glen Urquhart. The team produced possibly their best performance of the season in a bruising encounter coming away with an 11 -0 win. We now face Skye in the semis on 29^th August  at Blairbeg Park Drumnadrochit at 6.45pm. Where we hope to overturn our defeat of last year.

So it is Kingussie v Glenurquhart in the final at Inverness. Keep the date free in your diary. Keep and eye on the website and notice board for updates about transport etc. Lets take a big support and enjoy a good day out!