GLASGOW CELTIC SOCIETY CUP FINAL 2017
Taynuilt Sports Field Saturday June 24 2017 Throw up: 4pm
The 113th Gregor Cameron Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final between Kyles Athletic and Oban Camanachd takes place at Taynuilt Sports Field on Saturday June 24.
This tournament is open to all south senior sides playing in shinty’s top three tiers. Glasgow Cowal were inaugural winners in 1879.
Holders Kyles Athletic are going for ‘ five- in-a- row’ with Grant Irvine and Gordon Whyte both scoring four times in a resounding 18- 0 quarter- final victory over Kilmory. This secured a semi- final against Glasgow Mid Argyll which Kyles won 3- 0 courtesy of a Scott MacDonald double and a Thomas Whyte goal. Sandy MacKenzie has been an injury concern for Kyles in the lead- up to the final.
Kyles have made an almost perfect start to the season. The only game they’ve failed to win was a 1-1 draw with finalists Oban Camanachd at Tighnabruaich.
Roddy MacDonald put Kyles ahead in that one but Daniel MacVicar equalised.
Oban Camanachd last won the famous trophy in 2005 and were runners- up a couple of years ago, losing to Kyles Athletic in the final. They were given a walkover against Tayforth in this year’s quarter- finals before beating 2016 runners- up Inveraray 1- 0 in the last four of the tournament with Daniel Cameron scoring. Oban Camanachd’s Scott MacMillan will be relieved he is able to serve a one- match suspension against Oban Celtic this weekend, leaving him free to play in the final.
Camanachd Association Grade 1 official Lachie Wood will be the match referee and the Donald J MacNiven Memorial Medal will be awarded to the man of the match.
With the big day looming, Archie Robertson from the Glasgow Celtic Society said: ‘ We are looking forward to a great day at Taynuilt following the success of recent finals at this superb venue. We thank sponsors Gregor Cameron for their support over the past three years. We’ve also had a successful partnership with Taynuilt Sports Council and Taynuilt Shinty Club. Their co- operation in the lead- up to the big day is much appreciated. Kyles Athletic and Oban Camanachd are two very good sides and there’s great interest in the game so I’m sure it will be an entertaining final.’
This will be Gregor Cameron’s final year of a successful three-year sponsorship deal so the organisers are on the lookout for a replacement.
At the final on June 24, the Glasgow Celtic Society will honour the winning team from 50 years ago when Kyles Athletic beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 3-2 at Yoker. Alasdair Turner had put GMA ahead that day in 1967, but Scott Turner and Tommy Nicolson’s brace had Kyles 3-1 up before Kenny MacNiven’s late counter. The winning Kyles Athletic team was: John Paterson; Alasdair MacRae; Roddy Carswell; Chic Jamieson; Scott Turner; Stuart Davidson; Kerr Crawford; Jim Jamieson; Tommy Nicolson; Neil Blair; Donald Shaw and Russell Thorburn and the surviving veterans able to make this year’s final will be introduced to the crowd.
Throw- up is at 4pm and the final will be broadcast live on BBC Alba.