After a dramatic first weekend, the Mowi Premiership continues this Saturday. Last year’s runners-up Kyles Athletic travel north to take on Newtonmore on Saturday and we caught up with new Kyles Athletic Captain Scott MacDonald to preview the big game.

Scott, your game was rained off last weekend so for Kyles the season starts here, how are you and the boys feeling ahead of the new campaign?

We are feeling very confident going into start off this campaign and with the addition off James Pringle from Skye and David Zavaroni back available we are looking like a much more complete squad with competition for places!

It was a great 2023 for you with 19 goals in all competitions and a Scotland call up, what are your personal goals ahead of the new season?

I was pleased with how last season went for me being able to add more goals to my game. This season I just hope to improve again and be that little more clinical in front off goal. Being named captain this year is huge for me and I’m hoping i can bring trophies back to Tighnabruaich.

You face a Newtonmore side that you beat 4-1 in the most recent encounter, but that defeated you 3-0 last time out at The Eilan – what do you make of them?

Newtonmore are a very good side and strong all over the pitch. Our record away to them hasn’t been the best but having a big squad selection early in season may be our best time to play them at The Eilan.

Your opponents were defeated 3-2 on the opening day, do you think that makes things easier or harder going into this weekend?

I think it will definitely make it harder! I can only imagine they will be eager to get their first points like us and be one off the teams chasing the title again this season.

Finally, Kyles finished the season in great form last year, winning 9 out of the final 11 matches. It’s often been said that Kyles are a cup team, but can this side show the consistency to mount another title challenge?

The way we found our form and consistency in the second half off last season will give us all the belief we can challenge for the title this year. It’s important though that we start this season the way we finished last.

Camanachd Association

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8 October 2024

A spectacular Mòd Shinty Saturday in prospect

by Camanachd Association

8 October 2024

Cromag Ceann-Feadhna Camanachd a’ Mhòid ga toirt dhan “Shinty Referee” Thèid an t-urram Ceann Feadhna Camanachd a’ Mhòid a bhuileachadh air Eanruig MacAonghais, a bhuineas do Phort nan Long san Eilean Sgitheanach, ach tha an diugh a’ fuireach ann an Steòrnabhagh, aig a’ Mhòd Rìoghail Nàiseanta san Òban Disathairne seo tighinn. Thòisich Eanruig le fìdeag an reiteire nuair a bha e ag obair air tìr-mòr agus a sguir e a chluich còmhla ri balaich Inbhir Nis. Lean e air an uairsin am meadhan na pàirce na reitire aig grunn de chuairtean deireannach Chomann na Camanachd, leithid Cupa MhicTàbhais Cupa an t-Sutharlamaich agus cupa Bhanca na h-Alba air latha mor na camanachd. Bha e cuideachd na bhritheamh-tadhail aig a’ chuairt dheireannaich fhèin co-dhiù dà thuras. Tha e cuideachd air a bhith na reitire aig geamaichean camanachd a’ Mhòid ann an leithid Phortrigh, Steòrnabhagh, Mòdan Chataibh agus Gallaibh, agus ann am Peairt. Leig Eanruig dheth a dhreuchd mar reiteire tri bliadhna air ais le gèam eadar Camanachd Leòdhais agus Srathghlais, 45 bliadhna an deidh a’ chiad ghèam a rinn e eadar Lochcaran agus Srathghlais. Ged a tha Eanruig ainmeil na reiteire agus aininichte air feadh choimhearsnachd na camanachd (agus air rèidio agus Tbh), thàinig e gu aire an -t-saoghail nuair a chlàraich Fergie Dòmhnallach nach maireann an ceòl agus an uairsin òran “The Shinty Referee”. Bha sin aig àireamh a h-aon air clàr i-Tunes ceòl an t-saoghail agus air a chluich air feadh an t-saoghail. Chaidh am pòrt a dhèanamh an toiseach aig Fèis Cheilteach ann an Trá Lí, agus thàinig an t-òran bho làimh Fhergie an dèidh sin. Chaidh a’ chiad chromag son urram a Chinn Feadhna a thoirt do dh’Ùisdean MacIllInnein aig Mòd Phàislig an uiridh agus bidh esan an làthair aig Pàirc Mhossfield anns an Òban aig geamaichean camanachd na bliadhna seo aig a’ Mhòd, Disathairne seo tighinn son a toirt do dh’Eanruig. Thuirt Ùisdean : “Bha e na urram dha-rìreabh dhomh fhèin nuair fhuair mi a’ chromag an-uiridh air a’ bhliadhna a bha mi a’ sgur a dh’obair mar chraoladair. Tha mi air leth toilichte gum bidh cromag a nis aig Eanruig, ged nach eil feum aige air buileach fhathast. Tha e gu math iomchaidh gur esan a tha tighinn as mo dhèidh agus e cho dealasach a’ frithealadh nam Mòd agus geamaichean camanachd fad is farsainn.” Chaidh a’ chromag a dhèanamh le Roddie MacIllInnein ann an Inbhirnis a tha nis ainmeil airson a bhith a’ cruthachadh chamain agus duaisean fiodha. Cha a mhaoineachadh leis a’ bhuidhinn Camanachd na Cuimhna (Shinty Memories Scotland). Mòd Shinty Chieftain’s “Cromag” goes to “The Shinty Referee” The honour of National Mòd Shinty Chieftain will be bestowed upon Henry MacInnes, who belongs to Portnalong, Skye but now lives in Stornoway, at the Royal National Mòd in Oban this coming Saturday. Henry first blew his referee’s whistle when working on the mainland when he rrtired from playing iwth Inverness. He would go on to officiate at several major finals, including the MacTavish Cup, the Sutherland Cup and the Bank of Scotland Cup on Camanachd Cup Final day, as well as being a goal judge at the final itself on occasion. He has also been a referee for several Mòd Cup Finals in Portree, Stornoway, Shawbost, Uist, Caithness, Sutherland and finally in Perth. The Mòd Cup Final in Perth was his final performance, one last game after retiring two years ago with a game between Camanachd Leòdhais and Strathglass almost 45 years to the day since his first game between Lochcarron and Strathglass. Although Henry is famous as a referee and well known amongst the shinty community (and on TV and radio) he came to the attention of the world when the late Fergie Macdonald recorded the tune, and then the song, “The Shinty Referee”. It reached number one on iTunes World Music Chart and was played throughout the world. The tune was first wirtten at the Pan-celtic Festival in Tralee, and then Fergie wrote the song years later. The role of Mòd Shinty Chieftain and the ceremonial cromag or crook was first rangte to Hugh Dan MacLennan at the Paisley Mòd last year, and he will be in attendance at Mossfield Stadium in Oban this Saturday to present this year’s cromag to Henry. Hugh Dan said : “It was truly a great personal honour to receive the cromag last year when I was retiring from broadcasting. I am delighted to present this croamg to Henry, even though he doesn’t need it quite yet. It is very fitting person to succeed me as he has been so passionate in attending the Mòd and shinty matches across the country.” The cromag has been crafted by Roddie MacLennan of Inverness, a renowned artisan who specialises in ceremonial camans and wooden prizes. It has been funded by Shinty Memories Scotland

by Camanachd Association

7 October 2024

Glasgow Mid Argyll Crowned Mowi WCA South 2 Champions After Playoff Victory

by Camanachd Association