Dominant second half sees Kingussie crowned Macaulay Cup champions for 27th time…

Images courtesy of Neil G Paterson

The 2024 final saw the familiar pairing of Kingussie and Oban Camanachd come together to do battle at Mossfield Park. Oban, the holders, ended their 28-year wait to win the Macaulay Cup the year before, defeating Kingussie 2-1. However, that was the only trophy Kingussie had failed to win since 2021, and Kings had shown swashbuckling form throughout 2024 up to this point. There was a fair wind as referee Iain Kennedy threw the ball into the air to start the game between cottages.com MacTavish Cup champions Kingussie and Glasgow Celtic Society Cup victors Oban Camanachd.

The game got off to a frenetic start with Kingussie’s Rory MacKeachan deemed to have pushed Oban forward Craig MacMillan over in the box, giving the holders an opportunity to take the lead from the spot. Top scorer Malcolm Clark stepped up to take it but was unable to add to his 17 strong tally as his powerful shot sailed over Bob McGregor’s goal. 20 minutes into the game and the sides had exchanged half chances from tight angles, Ruaridh Anderson’s low shot needed stopped by Cameron Sutherland at his near post before Ross MacMillan fired just wide of McGregor’s post.

It would be the holders who took the lead, Craig MacMillan picking the ball up on the left flank after a knock down from Ross MacMillan and firing a shot back across the keeper, McGregor was able to get a hand to it but not enough to stop it from dropping into the far corner.  However, Kingussie almost bit back immediately, James Falconer picking the ball up just outside the box and forcing Sutherland into another good stop with his feet. The first half would end with Oban Camanachd 1-0 ahead, probably a fair reflection of what was a very tight first half with only a couple of chances.

It took Kingussie just 23 second half seconds to level the game up. Thomas Borthwick hitting a ball up the line, which was well contested by Savio Genini, his knock on looked like it would be cleared, but Falconer showed great forward play by using his body well to unbalance his man before firing the Badenoch side level. Dylan Borthwick flashed a couple of chances wide from the edge of the D, Falconer fired just over after a great free hit and Anderson forced Sutherland into another good save with his feet in the 10 minutes after the equaliser as Kingussie really began to grow into the game.

In the 63rd minute, Sutherland’s considerable resolve was broken. Falconer picking the ball up in the centre of the pitch and feeding it wide to Genini, his ball inside was met wonderfully by Dylan Borthwick who pushed the ball wide to give himself a shooting angle and fired home his 37th goal of the season. Sutherland would be drawn into action again 5 minutes later as Genini picked the ball up and fired it towards goal, the Oban keeper again proving equal to it.

In the 78th minute Falconer would get his second of the game and put the game out of Oban’s reach. A long ball from Alexander Michie looked to be dropping at the feet of Genini, however, he used his body well to let it skip through to Falconer who was able to dash away from his man and crack one beyond Sutherland. Two minutes from the end, Kingussie would get their fourth and final goal, Anderson’s corner dropping uncontested for Dylan Borthwick who got his second of the afternoon after a delightful touch and push.

All that was left was for Kingussie Captain Calum Grant to receive the Macaulay Cup, much to the acclaim of the travelling red and blue supporters. Yet another trophy, and the dream of a second ‘Grand Slam’ in three years was still very much alive. Well done Kingussie.