CAN'T WAIT...CAN YOU?

The Camanachd Association has released the dates for key finals and milestones in this year's shinty calendar. 

And if you're like me, the old butterflies are starting already. 

2012 MacTavish finalists - Lochaber and Newtonmore

The league season gets underway on March 5. 

The final of the cup championship for north clubs, the MacTavish, will be played on June 15.


The south equivalent and daddy of them all -  the AJG Parcels Celtic Cup Final - and shinty's oldest competition, will hold its final tie a fortnight later on June 29.

Taynuilt and Inveraray, Celtic Cup 2012 finalists

For first division clubs, its the Balliemore, and the final will be held on July 13.


The distinguished Sir William Sutherland Cup is contested nation-wide between lower division teams and has a proud history. The Sutherland Cup Final will be played on July 27.


Into August, it's the Artemis MacAulay Cup  Final, always played in Oban and contested between the respective winners of a south and north split draw. The MacAulay final is due to be held on August 17.


The north and south junior cup finals - the Strathearn and Bullough Cups respectively - will each be held on August 31.

A week later, on September 7, its the Big Day for women's shinty - Finals day, featuring the Marine Harvest Challenge Cup followed by the big one, the Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup Final.

Shinty's most coveted prize

The biggest date in the shinty calendar falls on September 14, when the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final is held at An Aird, Fort William.

After all that excitement, its on to the madness of the autumn shinty/hurling internationals. The dates for the 2013 Marine Harvest Shinty/Hurling international series between Scotland and Ireland are: October 20 at Croke Park, Dublin and October 26 at Bught Park, Inverness.

Phew...