Thursday 21 May 2015

Not a bad team...

A GEM of a photograph from more than half a century ago.

Pictured below at Tighnabruaich is what appears to be a south or Argyll select side.

Shintyfan is looking for information on the photo, so if you can name the occasion, the team members or the date the picture was taken - or have any other wee snippets of information surrounding it - let us know at shintyfan@btconnect.com or comment below.

Over to all you shinty fans out there.

And if you would like to send us your own shinty pictures, e-mail them as jpg attachments, with as much information as you have, to shintyfan@btconnect.com 


Monday 27 April 2015

Cup semi-final venues announced

The Glasgow Celtic Society Cup - the oldest senior trophy in the sport

THE venues for the semi-finals of the RBS MacTavish Cup and Gregor Cameron Consultancy Celtic Society Cup were decided by the toss of a coin in the Camanachd Association office today (April 27).

The outcome is as follows:

Thursday 9 April 2015

Spring back to winter for packed shinty weekend

Kyles' Thomas Whyte under close supervision during his side's defeat of Glenurquhart in last week's round of premiership ties. Photo by Donald Cameron

AS forecasters predict a return to cold, wet weather for Saturday, Kyles will be looking to strengthen their position at the summit of shinty's top league, taking on a Fort William side that has yet to find its feet in the Marine Harvest Premiership in 2015.

 
Champions Newtonmore face a potentially tricky tie as they host Glenurquhart at the Eilan, while current second-placed side Lovat make the journey to the shores of Loch Fyne to play Inveraray.

 

The premiership aside, it's the romance of two of shinty's cup competitions that has the mouth watering in anticipation. Catching the eye in the Balliemore Cup is an inter-island clash on the Isle of Bute, where Skye Camanachd are the visitors. A tasty tie will be there to savour at Strathglass, as city slickers Glasgow Mid Argyll come calling. Also in the Balliemore, the match between Aberdour and Inverness should be interesting, and the National Division side from the capital of the Highlands will find their trip to Fife no picnic.

 

The sport's national junior cup competition, the Sir William Sutherland Cup, also gets going this weekend. The tie of the round is arguably in Drumnadrochit, by Loch Ness, as holders Kyles Athletic travel from Cowal to play Glenurquhart.

 

Everything, as always, depends on the fickle Scottish weather, and though the nation's shinty pitches are basking in welcome warm, drying sun - the forecast isn't too hot for the weekend. The Met Office tells us that there is a big change coming from warm and dry to cold wet and windy weather on Saturday. Details below:

 

Friday:

Another rather warm day with long sunny spells, especially in the morning with highest temperatures towards central Scotland. Turning cloudier and breezy through the afternoon. Maximum Temperature 18C.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

An abrupt change to markedly colder and windier weather on Saturday and Sunday with showers and snow on hills. Drier and brighter on Monday, but wind and rain returning later.

Thursday 12 March 2015

'GET HIT AND IT'S YOUR OWN FAULT'


When I was growing up, the mantra was 'if you get hit, it's your own fault'.

Wednesday 11 March 2015

WINTER SHINTY WOULD NOW BE IMPOSSIBLE - DISCUSS



ANY shinty player over the age of 30 can remember these matches.

Numb hands, legs, faces and other extremities as sleet and snow are driven on freezing gale force winds across sheep paddocks in God-forsaken glens and straths.

Tuesday 10 March 2015

ROMANCE OF CUP LIFTS OPENING DAY CLOUDS


THE opening day of shinty's 2015 season may have been a wash-out, but at least we had the Camanachd Cup draw to cheer us up.

A paltry five of 26 scheduled matches survived torrential rainfall overnight on Friday into Saturday March 7 - and predictably the survivors were located towards Scotland's east coast and north east corner.

Friday 6 March 2015

Not long now - but will Judith let us play?


FANS, followers and players of the great sport of shinty are experiencing that familiar fluttering of butterflies as the Big Kick-off (or should that be Big Throw-up..?) to the 2015 season approaches.

There are some tasty ties lined up for the opening Saturday, March 7, with the juiciest prospect arguably being at the Eilan, where multiple premiership winners and current holders Newtonmore begin their title defence against the redoubtable team from Cowal, Kyles Athletic, fifth place finishers last time around.

And there are many more matches that will be fascinating to watch, as players knock off the winter rust - and snow - for shinty's summer season.

Talking of snow - the weather might just play a part in how the opening day shapes up. Heavy rain is forecast for the north-west of Scotland - and showers are possible anywhere.

As ever, we are at the mercy of the weather gods, and of BBC weather presenter Judith Ralston (pictured), of course.


Thursday 26 February 2015

Go with the flow chart for pitch perfection



WITH the new shinty season due to start next week (March 7) and the weather still showing distinct wintery tendencies, pitches will be under real scrutiny early season to make sure they are fit to play on.

So pay attention, and sit up at the back of the class - particularly you boys and girls from the wild, wet west coast.

Tuesday 17 February 2015

TANERA'S CAMAN HOME


The entrepreneurial Alan MacPherson (right) in action for Lovat    Photo: Neil Paterson

A HIGHLAND shinty player is bringing a well known shinty brand back to Scotland.  

Saturday 14 February 2015

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEASON...



THIS weekend's pre-season friendly matches are given a little added spice now that shinty clubs know their early season schedules.

Friday 6 February 2015

FINALS COUNTDOWN AS SHINTY DRAW POISED

An action-packed 2014 Bullough Cup Final
 
THE DRAW for some of shinty's most prestigious cup competitions will be made this coming Monday (February 9), the sport's ruling body has announced.

Thursday 5 February 2015

WINTER WARM-UPS FOR SUMMER SHINTY


Time to dust off those winter cobwebs...

Saturday's (Feb 7) friendly matches, as per CA website and elsewhere:

  • The Bear Tankard - Ballachulish v Newtonmore – at the Jubilee, Ballachulish – throw up tbc
  • Fort William 2nd team v Boleskine - venue tbc
  • GMA v Kinlochshiel - Peterson Park, Yoker
  • Kilmallie v Lochaber (BSW Cup) - Canal Park
  • Oban Lorn v Ballachulish - 3G pitch Oban High School, 12 noon throw up
  • Strachur v Bute - Strachurmore, 1pm throw up
  • Inveraray v Oban Camanachd - Mossfield,1.30pm throw up

But what sort of condition are pitches in?


Tuesday 3 February 2015

MARINE HARVEST STEPS UP A LEAGUE



(l-r) Russell Jones, Kingussie coach and Marine Harvest managing director Alan Sutherland enjoy a giggle with Lochaber coach Ally Ferguson


MARINE Harvest (Scotland) Ltd and the Camanachd Association have sealed a six figure sponsorship deal - the largest single sponsorship investment in the sport to date.

Friday 30 January 2015

SHINTY’S UPS AND DOWNS APPROVED




INVERNESS Shinty Club will take the place of Bute in this season’s Marine Harvest national division, maintaining the eight-team league agreed at last year’s Camanachd Association AGM.

Sunday 25 January 2015

SHINTYFAN IS BACK




YOUR independent shinty magazine is back - refreshed and ready to offer knowledgeable, unbiased news and views - and the best coverage of Scotland's real national sport.

Our growing network of correspondents will cover matches from many parts of Scotland and beyond.

Don't miss the only publication devoted to shinty - Shintyfan.

We still have some vacancies for voluntary correspondents, including photographers. To find out more, go to the Shintyfan Facebook page and post a personal message.