It's a kind of magic

The BBC has released a short, light-hearted wee video ahead of tomorrow's Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final.

Laced with clips of such well-known shinty names as Hugh Dan MacLennan, Inveraray captain Scott Robertson and....erm...Billy Connolly, and fronted by BBC sports presenter David Currie, it gives a two-minute introduction to the game and a wee taster with the final just around the corner.

View it by clicking here

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GREATS

Captains for the 2012 Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final, Scott Robertson (Inveraray) and Andrew King (Kyles)

Most shinty clubs have got tales and legends of battles with neighbouring clubs going back over generations.
Think Newtonmore v Kingussie. Oban Celtic v Oban Camanachd.

This week, memories are revived of battles of old between Inveraray and Kyles Athletic.

Younger fans will remember - with either pleasure or pain - the 2011 Camanachd Cup quarter-final at the Winterton, when a previously-flying Kyles came crashing to earth at the hands of Inveraray, who to that point had shown not a lot of league form.

Others, of a more mature vintage, might remember a Celtic Cup Final in 1974. Played at Strachur as opposed to the normal Glasgow venue, Kyles were winning 3-0 at half-time and looking comfortable. Inveraray ended up winning 4-3.

These two matches happened to end in Inveraray wins, but many times Kyles overcame their rivals - and never was there an easy match.

And nobody can recall these great encounters without remembering the players involved. What great players there were around in days gone by.

Who do you remember as being the greats? In Inveraray, you may remember Alex Blyth, or even Toad MacPherson's memorable performances? For Kyles, what about Tom Nicolson? Or arguably the most important current player in Kenny MacDonald?

What are your memories of Kyles versus Inveraray?

EPIC CAMANACHD CUP FINAL AHEAD

Kyles Athletic and Inveraray are two shinty clubs with names that echo down the years in Camanachd Cup history.
As these two Argyll shinty clubs - near neighbours and rivals - square up at an Argyll venue this weekend, history is created.

SHINTYFAN'S CONVERTED

Refreshed and invigorated after watching a really great day of shinty at the women's finals this afternoon, Shintyfan is back.