Garry Lord returns
Defender Garry Lord will return to the Oban Camanachd squad for the 2024 shinty season.
Garry, a former Scotland under-21 cap who was on the fringes of the senior squad, hasn’t played for a couple of years but his return to the Artemis Macaulay Cup and Scottish Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Challenge Cup winners has left manager Gareth Evans “delighted”.
Gareth said: “Garry’s return is massive for us. He’s a leader who enjoys a tackle. He’s a whole-hearted player and losing him through injury was a massive blow to us at the time. He brings experience, he’s a good trainer and has a winning mentality so I’m delighted to have him back.
“We considered bringing Garry back into the squad for the closing stages of this season, but opted to leave it till next year to allow him to get a good pre-season under his belt.”
Lochcarron mark successful season
Lochcarron marked a successful season at their annual dinner dance and awards night on Saturday November 4.
There were several award winners on the night, with the manager’s player of the year accolade going to former Skye Camanachd player Allan MacLeod.
The players player of the year went to Matthew Brady who used to play for Glenurquhart.
George Murphy has had a fine season for Lochcarron and he is the club’s young player of the year, whilst Crisdean Finlayson’s switch from full centre to attack has paid dividends as he was the club’s top scorer.
The award for commitment and endeavour went to Angus Urquhart. The presentation of the inaugural Hugh Matheson Memorial Shield for youth player of the year was also made. The shield was donated by the family in memory of Hughie who was a fantastic player in his day and a loyal friend and supporter to Lochcarron.
The award went to Owen MacKenzie, a skilful, talented young player who plays under 14 and under 17 shinty for Kinlochshiel. He has already played for the Lochcarron senior team and topped off this season with selection for the North under 14 squad, playing his part in the win over the South.
Owen MacKenzie received the Hugh Matheson Memorial Shield from Hughie’s son Chris and daughter Sandra.
Club stalwart Roddy Maclennan presented the Mowi North Division 2 trophy to the delighted Lochcarron squad.
There was also a round of applause for friends and rivals Lewis Camanachd who finished league runners-up but put in a fantastic effort to keep the title race going until the end of the season.
The Cast Ewe Ceilidh Band provided the music for a packed dance floor.
Camanachd Association Cup semi-final
Kyles Athletic 10 Oban Celtic 2
Kyles Athletic primaries reached the Camanachd Association Cup final by beating Oban Celtic primaries 10-2 in their 2pm throw-up at the Mid Argyll astroturf, Lochgilphead, on Saturday November 11.
This tournament is for primary school aged shinty players and Kyles took charge of the tie in the first half.
Oban Celtic fought back and pulled a couple of goals back in the second half through Fraser Wotherspoon and Aiden Michie.
However, Kyles added to their tally and at the final count, …..
Kyles Athletic primaries and Kilmallie primaries will now meet in the Camanachd Association Cup final at Yoker, Glasgow, on Saturday November 18. Throw-up is at 1pm.
Oban Camanachd subs proposal
Oban Camanachd have put forward a proposal in relation to the number of substitutes regional division teams can use to the Camanachd Association annual general meeting at the Highland Cinema, Fort William, on Friday November 24.
However, the proposal will only be put to a vote if a proposal from Kingussie fails to gather the required 75 per cent support.
At present, a maximum of five substitutes can be named per team with any three permitted to play during a match, except in representative matches where the maximum permitted to play is four per team.
The Kingussie proposal is that all five substitutes named per team be permitted to play, except in representative matches where the maximum permitted to play remains at four per team. Kingussie’s thinking is that their proposal would allow coaches to play all five substitutes if they wish so no player in the named five substitutes will arrive at a match without a chance of going on the field to play.
Should the Kingussie proposal fail, proposals from Oban Camanachd and Dunoon Camanachd will be put to the vote with a majority vote sending one of them forward before members to see if it can achieve the 75 per cent pass threshold.
Oban Camanachd’s proposal leaves the rule unchanged for the Mowi Premiership, the Mowi National Division and representative matches but, for area league games, clubs will be permitted to name a maximum of five substitutes with any four permitted to play during a match.
The justification for this proposal is that it enables coaches/managers to rotate the squad more, boosting player progression.
Oban Camanachd first team manager Gareth Evans said: “Our idea is to allow more players to play shinty. The change would allow coaches to rotate their squads and would enhance player development.”
Dunoon Camanachd have also put forward a proposal allowing for deviation from the normal rule in matches in North Division 2 and South Division 2 where clubs will be permitted to name a maximum of six substitutes, of whom no more than three are permitted to be aged 18 or over and all substitutes named are permitted to play.
Dunoon supported their proposal saying the current rule serves well in the higher leagues but, at the lowest levels, it is rare for substitutes to be in a position to positively influence the game as they are either a young player or a weaker player. Therefore, permitting additional substitutions will not give an unfair advantage to teams with bigger squads but it will make it easy for teams to name three young players on their bench if they wish, together with three adults. Where games are not closely contested, it will afford the opportunity for younger players to gain valuable game time.
Dunoon believe this change will have broad support among South 2 teams and expect it to appeal to North 2 teams for the same reasons.
Member clubs and associations have been invited to discuss and agree on these proposals.
Helmets proposals
The Camanachd Association will put forward proposals regarding the mandatory wearing of compliant helmets and faceguards to shinty’s annual general meeting at the Highland Cinema, Fort William, on Friday November 24.
It is currently mandatory all shinty players wear compliant helmets and faceguards other than where an individual opts out and has signed a liability waiver prior to the start of the shinty playing season.
The three proposals before the annual general meeting are:
Helmets and faceguards are made mandatory from 2024, the only exception being First Shinty tournaments when different camans and balls are in use.
Helmets are made mandatory from 2024 with liability waviers for face guards only.
Under 25s must wear a helmet with faceguard from 2024.
If the first proposal passes, the second and third proposals will be withdrawn. If the first proposal fails, the second and third proposals will be presented to the meeting.
Camanachd Association national manager Ronald Ross said: “Wearing a helmet is the only way to ensure you can enjoy shinty safely.
“When I was younger, I never wore a helmet as it simply wasn’t a thing and I didn’t appreciate the importance of doing so. I just wanted to play. There will be hundreds of players out there in the exact same position now, but it is our duty as clubs and associations to be the guardians of our players’ wellbeing and to make decisions which enhance their safety. There is no question making helmet wearing compulsory is the only way to achieve that.”
Member clubs and associations have been invited to discuss and agree on these proposals.
Camanachd Associaiton board changes
President-elect Burton Morrison is set to take over from outgoing president Steven MacKenzie at the Camanachd Association annual general meeting at the Highland Cinema, Fort William, on Friday November 24.
Burton Morrison, a retired chartered civil engineer, said: “I understand what is important to players, coaches, team managers, volunteers and to officials. I appreciate what shinty means to communities and how men and women, boys and girls in these communities enjoy having shinty play an important role in their lives.
“Over the past few years, I have gained knowledge and a deeper insight into the administration of the game and, as a member of the board, I have become much more aware of the multitude of issues which confront our staff daily and the ongoing dialogue that exists between the Camanachd Association and other games associations.
“It is important to me that the history and heritage of the game is protected and celebrated and, in this respect, the growth of Shinty Memories groups and the Bught Park proposals are to be welcomed.
“The traditions of shinty and its unique skills have been enjoyed by generations and I wish to see that continue.
“It is volunteers and the clubs they represent who will lead shinty through whatever changes lie ahead.
“I see the Camanachd Association’s role as providing a support structure for the clubs which brings maximum benefits for the efforts of their members.
“If elected as president, I will strive to ensure that support structure remains as strong and as visible as possible and that the clubs continue to have confidence in the board, the chief executive officer and staff, acting in the best interests of the sport at all times.
There are four vacant directorships and Alan Clark, Willie MacDonald, Kevin Thain and Graeme Macdiarmid are all up for election.
Alan Clark is a past member of the Camanachd Association board for six years. Alan worked for sportscotland as head of partnerships management and latterly regional development manager for Highlands and Islands and Grampian. He was also the sportscotland partnership manager for shinty, supporting and assisting the Camanachd Association with funding and governance.
Alan is not affiliated to any club and brings professional expertise in sports development to help support Camanachd Association staff in their role working with clubs.
Willie MacDonald is a past member of the board for six years when he held post of youth director, a role he enjoyed. He is currently youth development officer with Fort William Shinty Club.
Willie played shinty for Ballachulish and Fort William and is a former Scotland internationalist. He is a Grade 1 referee and took charge of this year’s Artemis Macaulay Cup final.
Kevin Thain played senior shinty for more than 40 years, representing Kingussie and Glasgow Mid Argyll with distinction. He has been managing director of the Thain Group for 25 years and would like to give back to the sport of shinty and help guide it through the next phase of its development in an ever-changing world.
Graeme Macdiarmid has been involved in shinty for more than 50 years, winning and competing at all levels and playing in the north and south leagues. He has managed senior and junior clubs and, for the last 17 years, has been involved in junior coaching, especially in school shinty where he helped set up the Glasgow Gaels School Shinty club and created pathways into shinty in Glasgow. He was also recently involved in Sgoil Ghalig Glasghu becoming a school of shinty.
Graeme is currently Glasgow Mid Argyll women’s team coach and still assists with the development of junior shinty in Glasgow.
He recently retired as a Chief Inspector in Police Scotland, following a career working predominantly in the safer communities field.